Welcome to our harness racing preview and betting tips for Gloucester Park on Friday, June 14th.
The Group 1 Pearl Classic Final (Race 5) for the two-year-olds headlines the meeting. Trent Orwin has previewed the key races on the night and offered his best bets below.
Gloucester Park Harness Tips: Friday, June 7th
Race 1 – 7:21pm AEST
This is not a race that fills me with a lot of confidence. (1) Whoswhointhezoo and (2) Liam Neil will likely control the early speed battle and there is a chance that Whoswhointhezoo would relinquish the lead to Liam Neil over the 2536m. If that scenario occurs then Liam Neil has strong claims in the race. He has been placed in three of his last five and had back-to-back wins prior to that. (9) Robb Stark is the class and looks an obvious threat. (10) Scotlynn Beach is my best roughie in the race and happy to have something on him from a soft trailing draw. He was second behind Ideal Liner last start.
My Rated Prices: Liam Neil $3.00, Scotlynn Beach $17
Value: (10) Scotlynn Beach $51
Race 2 – 7:50pm AEST
I am surprised to see Zennart entered this week after being torched and beaten more than 100m last time in FFA company. It is a class drop but steps up to 2536m and happy to risk after his tough run last start. (2) Mighty Flying Deal has been a model of consistency for Collie trainer Wayne Justins and driver Jack Justins. Barrier two looks good and if he can work across (1) El Hombre at the start then his chances improve significantly. He won in easier company last start and had been placed behind Thereugo and Tact Major in runs prior. (6) Speed Man is suited by the distance and (10) Mad Robber has been impressive. Definite claims for all Gary Hall Snr runners. (12) Natural Disaster is first up for new trainer Dylan Egerton-Green. At his best he can win but I want to see how he performs first.
My Rated Price: Mighty Flying Deal $6.00
(2) Mighty Flying Deal
$12
Race 3 – 8:25pm AEST
Quick beginner (7) Thereugo will work to the lead from barrier seven with (2) Sarah Goody likely to race on his back and (1) Say It Now three back on the markers. (11) Ideal Liner looks the most likely breeze horse in the race or (5) Mighty Santana. Tricky draw for (8) Warfare but has plenty of ability and has each-way claims. Thereugo is a last-start 1:56.2 winner defeating Mighty Flying Deal by 6m. Trainer-driver Donald Harper has only had the horse for four starts; the other three starts were unplaced runs. Wheeling and dealing is his preferred style and he should get the chance to do that here. Expect him to go close.
My Rated Price: $4.00
Race 5 - 2YO PEARL CLASSIC FINAL (2130m) – 9:25pm AEST
The Group 1 Pearl Classic Final for 2YO Colts & Geldings has four winning chances in the field of 10 runners. (2) Aristocratic Star, (4) Jaxon Jones, (7) Valentines Brook or (10) Manning should be saluting the judge at the race’s conclusion. My figures light up for Aristocratic Star who also has the best barrier of the big guns. He looks like a horse that will have gate speed and should be able to find the front and prove hard to catch with driver Gary Hall Jnr in the bike. Trainer Justin Prentice has this colt primed for success third-up from a spell after a pair of third-placed efforts. Jaxon Jones and Valentines Brook both beat Aristocratic Star but the run was good. Three starts ago he dropped 28.7 and 28.0 at Northam which is very good going for a 2YO. Manning is the main danger in my opinion.
My Rated Price: $1.65
(2) Aristocratic Star
$1.95
Race 7 – 10:25pm AEST
We will find out whether (1) Heza Head Honcho wants to find the line or not as this looks a suitable race for the Barry Howlett-trained 5YO gelding. His dangers are on the second row with (10) Baylan Jett trailing. (11) Jailbreak and (12) Pierre Whitby are both in the hunt also. I was disappointed with Jailbreak last start at Pinjarra but his previous two runs were good and he looks value here. Shannon Suvaljko replaces Emily Suvaljko which looks a positive move considering Shannon is one of WA’s best drivers. I’m not sure if he drops three back on the pegs or stays in the moving line but should run well. Smaller hope to (3) Iam Lambros and (6) Frostyflyer.
My Rated Price: $8.00
