The Shark heads down to Southland for Thursday harness racing action this week and makes his way to Wyndham for a big card of action in search of winners.
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Race 1
7 Christmas Babe: No shame in the effort to run third last time out. Peak fitness now and ready to step up and show the best version here today.
3 Zoned Scarlett: Hard to catch on the right day, but very good when right. Dangerous if able to trot to the front here and get own terms.
12 Crusher Collins: Can get in her own mood and throw in the odd rough performance, but best version is usually very good and right in this if there.
5 Big Iron: Keeps stepping up the effort each time and was good at Cromwell. Should get a slice of this if able to land near to the speed today.
Selections: 7-3-12-5
Race 2
3 Don’t Need An Excuse: Looked set to run down a smart one last time out before deciding to side step to the inside of the track. Atonement day is today.
12 Mighty George: Hit the line with real purpose last time out to finish second. Horror draw, but good enough to overcome it.
2 With The Stars: Looked a little unlucky at Cromwell when starved for room. Always a place chance at least, especially in a field like this.
10 Indulgence: Money came courtesy of the good draw last time and it nearly paid off. Should get into this at some point and have a role to play.
Selections: 3-12-2-10
Race 3
8 Slainte: Bit to learn still judging by the recent stuff, but there’s clearly a bit of a motor there too. Would expect a big effort if able to trot away on even terms.
17 Jaccka Josh: Joins the Hoffman barn after some OK efforts recently. Beach life might just work the oracle and we know he’s got a motor when he wants to turn it on.
13 The Night Sweats: Can run a bit, but doesn’t always show it. Drops out of some stronger recent racing for this assignment today and should be in the mix.
14 Tolkien: Is capable and was starting to get warm when things went wrong last time out. Better for that run? Has to be a place chance at least today with manners.
Selections: 8-17-13-14
Race 4
1 Glenledi Captain: Found them a little too smart in the Nugget final recently. Good draw and drop back in opposition gives a golden opportunity today from the ace.
6 Just Cheddar: Looks like a quick maiden winner judging by three efforts to date. Astute stable and deserving of plenty of respect from punters and bookies alike.
4 Targaryen: Up and coming pacer who has been solid in four starts back. Good in a recent workout. Handy draw and must be in the mix here today.
7 I’m Watching You: Hit the line strongly last time out and generally is headed in the right kind of direction. Smart performance here just about gets the chocolates.
Selections: 1-6-4-7
Race 5
6 Watch Me Now: Not a lot went right last time out. Prior win was one of a very good horses and if that one steps out today, then they should be chasing second prize.
8 Delightful GNP: Excellent effort last time out behind a really smart field. She’s got more upside than most in this and capable of making her own luck.
5 Hells Shadow: In really good form and must be rewarded soon. Took a smart one to her last time out and with a similar performance goes close again here.
9 Rakabeach: Clearly a more than capable pacer, only problem here is the inside barrier draw which doesn’t offer up much luck. Dangerous with a cold shot though.
Selections: 6-8-5-9
Race 6
5 Major Meister: Stable mate nabbed him late last time out, but another really good effort. Should be rewarded soon and a big chance here.
1 Raksjameson: Improving every time and last effort was that of one who will be winning a race at really short notice. Good draw and positive drive helps here.
10 Seamark: Money on at Omakau – and wasn’t far off the mark either. Long way from home, so will be out to cover the costs. Can win it too.
6 Love On The Rocks: Up and coming wee pacer who has shown a bit of ability in workouts and trials. This suits better and has to be a live chance.
Selections: 5-1-10-6
Race 7
14 Rockin Rod: Gets a change of scenery again and while not living up to early potential, still wouldn’t have to go much better than he has been to be winning this.
16 Lock It In Eddie: Not the clearest of pathways last time out but a good effort to finish sixth. There were murmurs about the place too. Smoke and fire and all that.
9 Tartan Robyn: Right kind of race for him to jump and run here and if able to find a spot on the speed he’s going to take a bit of wearing down late.
10 Rosinupthebow: Another good effort last time out and must be rewarded with a victory at some stage soon. Even field here helps the chances.
Selections: 14-16-9-10
Race 8
7 Nandolo: No nonsense type pacer who might put them to the sword here. Dour and will keep trucking and should take some getting past by most of them.
2 Lawrence: In great form and running super races. Positive draw here means on the speed and out of trouble and should be fighting out the finish.
5 Heisenberg: Excellent effort to win the Ashburton Cup. Might be better over the longer distances though? Guess we find out today. Has to be in it.
9 Franco Santino: In genuinely excellent form at the moment and we know he’s got really high speed. No surprise to see him rushing at them late and getting a slice.
Selections: 7-2-5-9
Race 9
8 Sweet Mary: Talented mare who hasn’t had it all her own way lately. Best version of her rocking up in this field. Just wins. And that’s what should happen.
6 Belle Sara: Very good last time when running second to a smart one. Can roll forward again and give herself a good opportunity get another slice of the pie.
9 Amore Lancome: The interesting runner in this line up. Now with the Ellis and Barclay camp and was running strong races up in Canterbury. In the mix.
12 Paduka: Hard not to be impressed with the most recent efforts. Really attacked the line well again last time and a similar performance here gets a similar result.
Selections: 8-6-9-12
Race 10
16 Parama: Put them to the sword a long way from home in the Roxburgh Cup and kept fighting for a good fourth. This isn’t as strong, so definitely a contender.
3 Franco Huntington: Jump and run sort of type who won when met with these conditions last. Might find the top, keep them honest and run them ragged.
11 Wolfenstein: Can’t fault the form line but question over the stand start. Dangerous if able to get onto or near the speed early and from there should be a player.
6 Ronnie Pickering: Good effort at Roxburgh to run second behind a very good horse. In the right space at the moment and sure to give a strong showing here.
Selections: 16-3-11-6
Race 11
6 Myrcella: Best form of anything in the race and with a front line draw and a little bit of luck in the running should be too strong for most, if not all, of them late.
7 Iwanadancewitsumbody: Genuine performer who doesn’t leave much out on the track. Might roll forward here today and look to take up a positive spot. Each way hope.
1 Kagee VC: Drawn to do no extra work and wasn’t too bad last time out. Nice run on the markers and one shot at them and he’s right in the middle of the action here.
11 Black Ops: Issues last time out but prior form was very good and more than capable of playing a role in this assignment today with any luck from the second line.
Selections: 6-7-1-11
BEST: 8 Sweet Mary (Race 9)
NEXT: 6 Watch Me Now (Race 5)
VALUE: 14 Rockin Rod (Race 7)
