It's another bumper night of Group 1 harness racing at Melton this Friday night, while racing also takes place at Gloucester Park!
There's six Group 1s on the card at Melton and harness racing expert Trent Orwin has his best bets in two of those races below, while also providing picks from Gloucester Park.
Harness Racing Tips: Friday, July 5th
Melton Race 4 - G1 VICBRED SUPER SERIES (2YO) FINAL (2240m) – 7:00pm AEST (Market)
Odds-on favourite (3) Andover Sun is the trotter to beat for trainer Maree Caldow. The colt should run to the lead from barrier three and will take catching. He has broken in two of his past three starts however and taking a short quote doesn’t appeal at all. (9) Is That A Bid won the Group 1 Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic (1720m) back in May and $15 looks a great price from barrier nine. That win was the gelding’s only victory in five starts but he has placed in the other four. Last start he was beaten 1.3m by Andover Sun. Will need a bit of luck in running but the price is worth it. (1) Powderkeg will get a great run from barrier one.
Melton Race 7 - VICBRED SUPER SERIES (4YO) FINAL (2240m) – 8:30pm AEST (Market)
The best trotter in the race draws the outside of the front row with the Anton Golino-trained (7) Majestic Player. A winner at 14 from 27 starts, the 4YO gelding has won eight of 12 starts this season. No value at $1.45 and happy to back (2) Chief Runningcloud from barrier two for Andy Gath. Chief Runningcloud will be looking to lead and he is putting together a nice record with 14 starts producing seven wins. This is his biggest test taking on the class of Majestic Player. (3) Kyvalley Finn is an each-way chance in the race after chasing home Majestic Player last time.
(2) Chief Runningcloud
$4.60
Gloucester Park Race 4 – 8:42pm AEST (Market)
The FFA race this week is interesting with (1) Tommy Be Good, (3) Zennart and (4) Mighty Santana fighting for the early lead. I have a feeling that Tommy Be Good will be crossed by either Zennart or Mighty Santana; it will most likely be Zennart due to drawing directly inside Mighty Santana. Tommy Be Good is a good sit-sprinter and his past two have been excellent when running second behind Tact Major and Golden State in consecutive weeks. If he gets any luck in running, he is going to be hard to hold out late. (5) Herrick Roosevelt and (11) Warfare look strong contenders in the race. Prefer to watch one of my favourites (10) Waylade first up from a spell.
Gloucester Park Race 5 – 9:10pm AEST (Market)
The Group 3 Gold Bracelet (2130m) will see (1) Some Copper Beach leading with (10) Star Fromthepalace trying to boot up to hold her back. Some Copper Beach was second in the Group 1 2YO Fillies Westbred Classic (2130m) won by Double Expresso and is clearly the horse to beat. At the current prices on offer, (4) Soho Whisper is the filly that interests me the most. Trained and driven by Kim Prentice, she has won two from five and was fifth in the Group 1 Diamond Classic Final (2130m) when held up. She has run home in 55.6 and 56.6 seconds at her past two starts and with some cover in the race, could be dangerous late. (2) Fifty Five Reborn, (9) Suing You and (12) Intheskyrocket appear the main dangers. Big watch on (11) Advance Your Dream who could be worth a very tiny bet at $51 or better.
Gloucester Park Race 7 – 10:10pm AEST (Market)
The quickest beginner is (8) The War Nurse who can fly out and will go very close to leading. If she finds the fence, she becomes the horse to beat. Last start she was second to Ideal Liner and made him earn the win. A lot will come down to how much early petrol The War Nurse will have to burn in pursuit for the front. If she works too hard, it will leave her a sitting shot to a number of her rivals. (5) Veiled Secret and (7) Come Dance With Me will be the main dangers. Happy to risk (9) Maczaffair who will find it tough in barrier nine.
