Welcome to our harness racing preview and betting tips for racing at Menangle and Melton on Saturday, April 27th.
We've picked out our best bets from each track below with five selections in total.
Menangle Harness Tips
Race 3 – 6:52pm AEST
Aztec Bromac drops in class after running sixth behind Majordan in 1:50.1. Trained and driven by Kerryann Morris, the 7YO gelding has been a model of consistency without winning lately. Prior to his sixth, he was fourth behind Rakarolla in 1:51.1. He has a better barrier this time compared to that run and should settle midfield. Expect him to be finishing strongly and he won’t be far away at the finish with some luck. Lord Zin Zan and Village Witch also look strong contenders in a competitive race.
Race 4 – 7:22pm AEST
Roll With Lachlan gets the services of top reinsman Luke McCarthy and begins from barrier two which looks very good in this 3C0-3C1 event. A last-start Maitland winner at short odds, Roll With Lachlan was most impressive three starts ago in a heat of the Gold Chalice at Bathurst. He finished second behind Lets Go To Brazil in 1:57.6. The Geoffrey Harding-trained gelding then failed in the final but can be forgiven. Colossal Stride is the horse to beat after missing the start by a significant margin in his heat and running a close second. His manners concern me at an odds-on quote so happy to oppose with Roll With Lachlan.
Race 8 – 9:22pm AEST
Jakes Sportswriter looks to have found a suitable race after competing against the likes of Rakarolla, Mister Brazil, Power Of Red and Lord Zin Zan in recent starts. The 5YO entire shouldn’t be too far off them in the run and he should be finishing powerfully in this class. His last win was a C5+ event when beginning from this barrier and he should relish an M0. Most Happy Cullen is hard to line up with his Victorian form and a change of stable. Expect him to run well.
Melton Harness Tips
Race 5 – 7:30pm AEST
Round 2 between Jilliby Bandit and Lilac Flash takes place in the Captain Sandy Free For All (1720m). Round 1 went to Queensland pacer Lilac Flash who is trained and driven by Kylie Rasmussen. The 5YO gelding raced three back on the pegs and used the sprint lane to win in 1:51.6. The last half was run in 54.4 seconds. Jilliby Bandit was behind the leader and came off the pegs at the top of the home straight to finish 1.6m away in second. The 5YO gelding trained by Margaret Lee should be able to find the lead from Lucky Lombo. Lilac Flash won’t get a dream pegs run and Jilliby Bandit can turn the tables.
Race 8 – 9:00pm AEST
Rocknroll Pearl comes up an odds-on favourite but that looks very short in a competitive race. Luvyoubabe, Trinity Dreaming and Angel Of Arts are also in the race which should make this 1720m clash exciting. Luvyoubabe will be trying to lead from barrier five. She has led at her past two starts for a win and a second. The win came at Ararat in 1:57.3, while the runner-up performance was at Maryborough in 1:54.2. It will be an interesting speed battle early; Luvyoubabe needs to find the pegs to be a winning chance. If she can find that spot, then the $8-$9.50 on offer at the time of writing appeals. Looks closer to a $5 chance.
