For the first time on Before You Bet, we introduce harness racing to our array of sports betting content with harness racing expert Trent Orwin joining the team. He’ll be providing regular harness racing betting tips for the major Friday and Saturday night meetings around the country, kicking things off with his best bets from Gloucester Park and Melton this Friday night!
Gloucester Park Harness Racing Tips
Race 3
The third and final heat of the Nights of Thunder (1730m) will see Bettor Vision leading from barrier one with Bettor Aim likely to race outside him or 1 out, 1 back if Wesley gets across early. Chiaroscuro should drop leader’s back with Carter Micheal racing handy in the moving line.
Bettor Vision led over the 1730m two starts ago when finishing a narrow second to Stefsbest in 1:54.8. Bettor Aim looks every bit as good as Stefsbest, if not slightly better, so I fancy that he can out-tough Bettor Vision in the home straight. They will have to shoot the lights out being the final heat due to the qualifying clause that states the fastest nine horses make the final – this could work against both favourites if they over-do it, but 1730m should see them still strong late.
Race 4
A terrific standing-start contest with Carrera Mach looking to lead from barrier two. Bright Diamond draws three and would also be keen on finding the front but shouldn’t get across Carrera Mach if he steps in his usual manner. Always Arjay and/or The Bucket List should make a mid-race move to find the breeze position.
Carrera Mach looks a strong chance to go one better this time around after falling a half-head short behind Always Arjay a fortnight ago. Chris Lewis probably went too slow in front and Always Arjay was able to sit parked to win. He will have to set a stronger early tempo to force the backmarkers to work if they make a move because Always Arjay (20m) and The Bucket List (30m) will quickly make up the deficit if the sectionals are slow.
Prior to his runner up performance, Carrera Mach had won three in a row and he should give a bold sight on Friday night.
Race 5
The WA Pacing Cup is worth $450,000 and the speed map looks reasonably easy to figure out. Maczaffair takes a sit on Rocknroll Lincoln or My Field Marshal, while Our Max Phactor or Vampiro likely sit outside the pacemaker. El Jacko will be three back on the pegs with Saying Grace either dropping four back on the fence, or Vultan Tin could occupy that position if Saying Grace stays off the fence.
Looking to complete the Fremantle Cup-WA Pacing Cup double, My Field Marshal will prove extremely hard to beat because he has options from barrier three. Driver Anthony Butt would love to find the front just like in the Fremantle Cup. The seven-year-old entire showed tremendous grit to hang on after a very quick lead time and first half.
If My Field Marshal is unable to lead, he will be looking for cover close to the speed so that he can show his high speed – this isn’t the strongest edition of the WA Pacing Cup and My Field Marshal has already beaten better fields (his Miracle Mile win showcases that).
Melton Harness Racing Tips
Race 8
Upanatom drops in class after racing in an M1-M3 event last time. This time around he meets an M1 Only field and based on his runner-up performance four starts ago behind Beach Surge, he should prove extremely hard to beat from barrier one. The last time he led was in a strong C5+ race won by Bettor Ops at Swan Hill in 1:54.3. It was a bunched finish with Burnaholeinmypocket and Tee Cee Bee Macray filling the placings.
Regular reinsman Greg Sugars is currently second in the Victorian State Drivers Premiership and he should finish the Melton program with a win.
Photo: Jodie Hallows
