Another Saturday, another great night of harness racing coming from Bunbury. Trent Orwin is back this weekend to take a look at some of the best value races on the card and give his betting tips below.
Bunbury Harness Tips
Race 1 (7:47pm AEST)
A 2YO race with a pair of first starters and two horses that have only had one career start. These races are not always easy to work out as juveniles can improve quickly once they work out the racing caper. Jaxon Jones is a gelding trained by Dennis Roche. Driver Dylan Egerton-Green also drove Rockin The Trend on debut for Kat Warwick. Both pacers look to have similar ability and Egerton-Green has decided to drive Jaxon Jones. That’s the way I am going in the race due to drawing inside of his rival. He was last of four on debut at Gloucester Park but his sectionals were good with a 1:59.4 mile rate and last half in 57.4 seconds. He was held up with 25m to run and should be very competitive here. Happy to back at $2.80 or better.
Race 3 (8:45pm AEST)
Front Row strikes a suitable race after being held up in the run to the finish last week at the track over 1609m. The 5YO mare is one of the quicker runners in the field on raw sectional times and barrier three gives her barrier draw advantage. She will be trying to find the front with Aaron Beckett in the sulky. Maras Ace Man isn’t known for his gate speed and it will be interesting to see how he performs for new trainer Michael Grantham. Newsletter is the main danger to Front Row, however, I am happy with the likely early price for Front Row. Happy to back her at $3.30 or better.
Race 4 (9:20pm AEST)
War Club, Handover Penny, Diamond Dove and Ultimate Offer are all last-start winners and this 2569m clash should be a highlight on the program. War Club and Ultimate Offer are the two that really stand out to me in the race. The longer journey probably favours Ultimate Offer who was able to defeat Mathew James by leading throughout in 2:00.9 two starts ago. He dashed home in 28 and 27.9. Mathew James has since led and won as a $1.09 favourite. Ultimate Offer is versatile as shown by racing outside of the leader to win last start at Narrogin. Happy with $2.70 or better for him.
Race 5 (9:48pm AEST)
A few standout horses contest this HWOE LT $40,000 race which should see Catastrophic Event leading. Rocknroll Beachboy may give Come Dance With Me some cover which would be ideal as the mare finishes powerfully off a sit. Not a lot separates Catastrophic Event and Come Dance With Me at present. Both have very similar speed figures and continuously run in the first five, even when drawn poorly. Quick Stride is the other key chance in the race but doesn’t deserve to be favourite from barrier 12. He will most likely sit back and come with a single run. Catastrophic Event looks the horse to beat and I am happy with $2 or better as she looks a strong contender.
Race 9 (11:45pm AEST)
The last race is a maiden event and happy to back two runners in the race. All The Bells has raced three times for one minor placing. A 3YO filly for Barry Howlett, she was a narrow third behind La Roue De Lamour and She Said Diamonds two starts ago over 1609m here. She was fair last start at Narrogin and will appreciate being on the pegs; either leading or trailing the leader. Sailor Jerry makes his race debut for trainer John Oldroyd. The 3YO gelding’s trial form reads well and he should go close at his first start. Happy with $3 and $3.50 or better for All The Bells and Sailor Jerry respectively.
