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The Shark heads down to Southland for Sunday afternoon harness racing this week and washes up at Gore Raceway for a nine race card with plenty of chances and punting opportunities and offers up his thoughts on the day.
Race 1
5 Mongolian Marshal: One of many Canterbury raiders for the day and one who comes south with some strong trial form. Strike rate stable that thrives down here.
1 Alta Endeavour: Well bred first starter from a good stable with top driver in the bike, plenty to like about it, especially from the good draw.
2 Vergeofgreatness: Three really good prep runs for this. Will be ready to rock and roll fresh up and looks a live chance in this field.
7 Spirit Of St Louis: Has looked better than average in all his public runs ahead of today’s debut. Always big respect for the stable when they line one up.
Selections: 5-1-2-7
Race 2
3 Stick Man: Form behind Arden Roanoke looks good on paper. Handy draw and a pretty even looking field makes things look even better. Game on here.
6 Champers: Got it wrong last time out but the prior form was excellent and outside of the fave here, there’s plenty of chances to get a slice.
8 Iwannadancewitsumbody: Came home like a horse possessed last time out at Addington. Getting better with racing and should be in the thick of things here.
3 Paduka: Some strong efforts in last few runs. Should be better for that one too. Can work forward and give a bit of cheek today.
Selections: 3-6-8-3
Race 3
5 Justan’s Sister: Two really good runs since hitting the trotting gait. Must be rewarded with the first victory at short notice. Today looks very achievable.
7 Solsbury Hill: Doing it nicely and was solid last time out at Oamaru. Manners are good too which is always a big bonus in these races.
8 Majicion: Chasing hard behind some handy ones in most recent efforts and went good at Oamaru last weekend. Should be in the fight once again.
1 Girlz N Boyz: Will strip fitter for the first up run and had looked good in trials prior. Can get away from the inside and give them a bit of a fright.
Selections: 5-7-8-1
Race 4
1 Shezadawon: Turned the corner in last two starts with two big efforts – both in behind very nice types. Plum draw and should be a big player tody.
3 Major Menance: Handy type back from a spell here with a couple of workouts under the belt. Stable respect and a good chance here today.
2 Opal: Long time maiden, but a handy maiden in saying that. Good form behind some nice types. Shouldn’t stay a maiden for much longer.
4 Loissonya: In great nick and generally jumps and does things right so has to be afforded a good each way chance in this line up today.
Selections: 1-3-2-4
Race 5
8 Arden’s Sweetheart: Purdon/Dalgety runner here with Blair Orange in the bike. That gets the attention. Handy trial effort recently too. Yes.
13 Bonny’s Gem: Hasn’t had all the luck in the world since the career began and meets a pretty even looking field here today. Can play a role, even from the draw.
1 Bicton: Down here as a bit of a final throw at the stumps. Comes up with a handy draw and driver wouldn’t come for nothing. Can run in the money.
6 Esther Jaccka: Done a bit wrong on race day so far, but is better than that. Can turn things around here today.
Selections: 8-13-1-6
Race 6
2 Noble Mistress: Born again trotter who showed a bit of versatility with strong finishing burst at Oamaru. Things bode well for another good effort here.
3 Anothersuperstar: Humbled last time out, but prior form was excellent and back to the 2200m here. Will look to jump and run and could take some catching.
11 Davey Mac: Enigmatic to say the least. Best version would rock up here and deal the a trotting lesson. Just let us down too often to be confident.
13 Spotlight The Valley: Never far away from them and generally a good beginner so should land handy enough and from there give a sight.
Selections: 2-3-11-13
Race 7
8 Storm Prince: Won the Kurow Cup last weekend pretty impressively. This is no harder, just a wide draw to contend with. Can win again.
6 Franco Santino: Closed nicely for third last week at Oamaru. Fast horse when saved for that one run and can get a slice of the pie here today.
7 Smarter VC: Comes in here off the back of a strong victory in a handy field at Addington last time out. Needs to be held up for the one go at them, but a chance again.
2 Candidasa: On speed runner who will look to keep them honest here. Dangerous if allowed own terms but expecting favourites to have measure late.
Selections: 8-6-7-2
Race 8
1 Bound To Be Bettor: Meets one of the most even looking fields Southland has seen in recent years. Good draw and good form on the board suggest here’s a chance.
2 First Son: Loves to get on or near the speed and then have one crack at them. The draw makes that a possibility today. Can get a major slice of the pie.
5 Matinee Idol: Got well back but was doing best work late last time out. Tricky horse to follow but a win would be no surprise here in this field.
14 Edie Jaccka: Big run last time out and this isn’t any harder. Just needs to get around them all. Can do it too, especially against this lot.
Selections: 1-2-5-14
Race 9
1 Itz A Major Babe: Thought there was a bit of merit in the last start effort after doing some work early. Should find the lead here and give them all something to think about.
10 Betterthanspraying: Not much to offer in a strong field last time out. Better than that and can bounce back to form in this field here today.
12 Fun In The Dark: Generally needs things to pan out for him in his races and if they do so here then there’s no reason why he couldn’t haul them in late.
13 Vin Scully: Williamson sticks with the ship after first up run. There’s some indication in that and it might pay not to leave him out of all calculations.
Selections: 1-10-12-13
BEST: 3 Stick Man (Race 2)
NEXT: 1 Shezdawon (Race 4)
VALUE: 1 Itz Major Babe (Race 9)
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