Shepparton Harness Preview – Tuesday, January 20

OVERVIEW: IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (7) is having her third run for the new stable and there are encouraging signs she’s heading in the right direction. Her win last time, albeit against a weaker field than this, was very good running fast time and winning by a space. There’s speed to her inside, but if she can work her way into a good position, she will be hard to beat. 

SHEZABLUECHIP (5) will look to race on pace, and the stable is going well at the moment. WINGATE GUY (10) was a good winner last start at Hamilton from a similar backrow draw, while WHERES WOOD WOOD (8) will need them to go hard and get the breaks at the right time, but was a good winner two back. 

BACK: IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (7) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (7), SHEZABLUECHIP (5), WINGATE GUY (10), WHERES WOOD WOOD (8)

OVERVIEW: MYNAMEISRUBY (8) strikes a winnable race here despite being awkwardly drawn on the second row. She’s reunited with James Herbertson, who has a good strike rate on her. If she gets the gaps at the right time, she can finish strongly. 

THE LADYBIRD (9) put in an improved performance last time out and if she can back that up, has claims. OUR MYSTERY BET (5) is a grinding type who can be in the finish if the tempo isn’t overly strong. THE ACCIDENTAL ONE (6) is having her fourth run for the new stable and is open to improvement. 

SELECTIONS: MYNAMEISRUBY (8), THE LADYBIRD (9), OUR MYSTERY BET (5), THE ACCIDENTAL ONE (6) 

OVERVIEW: BETATHANABOUGHTONE (2) is having her third run for the new stable and is backing up an excellent performance last start when second in very quick time for her grade. She has the right draw and driver to be positive over the short trip and if she gets the right run, will take plenty of catching. 

LORIMERMAJOR (9) is in a career resurgence over the past month, clocking up three wins in a row and gets a soft trailing draw. CARUSO STAR (3) is racing in great heart at the moment, and his front-row draw means he’ll map close to the speed. CHOGI (7) has a good strike rate at this track but faces a tricky draw. 

BACK: BETATHANABOUGHTONE (2) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: BETATHANABOUGHTONE (2), LORIMERMAJOR (9), CARUSO STAR (3), CHOGI (7) 

OVERVIEW: INTERPRETATION (3) has been flying of late, winning two of her last three. She’s got good early gate speed to get into the right position from the draw and has shown enough versatility to adapt to the race shape. 

TOTALLY STUNNING (5) was a good winner here two back, albeit in an easier race, but maps to get a good run. INDI PARTY MOOD (4) showed speed and did plenty of work when a good second at Melton last time. IM DUSTEE (8) drops in class for this and fares reasonably well with the draw considering he’s an out-of-the-draw runner. 

SELECTIONS: INTERPRETATION (3), TOTALLY STUNNING (5), INDI PARTY MOOD (4), IM DUSTEE (8) 

OVERVIEW: FLIP A COIN (8) was excellent here last week, running good time from the back and just missing. He’s on the quick back-up and the small field and likely map should be a positive, allowing him to work into the race at the right time. He has a nice record at this track and gets on well with Tasmyn Potter. 

WARRIORESS (6) finds it hard to win but is never far away and will likely race forward from the draw. LADY OF HOPE (5) strips fitter second-up and while she hasn’t threatened for a while, her win back in June would be good enough to feature. FEEL THE KNIGHT (4) is another who doesn’t win out of turn, but with three placings from his last four, stays under notice. 

BACK: FLIP A COIN (8) – 3 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: FLIP A COIN (8), WARRIORESS (6), LADY OF HOPE (5), FEEL THE KNIGHT (4),  

OVERVIEW: LOWER WEST SIDE (3) was sent around at big odds on debut at Melton and was unlucky not to win. She didn’t show much early speed, but the small field should negate that as a disadvantage. If she can replicate the ability she showed last time, she can win this, it’s not a strong field. 

CROCODILE BLOOD (2) looks the leader and his last two runs have been the best of his career to date. BOLT OF CABARGO (6) has 19 placings from 38 starts and on that score has achieved far more than his rivals here. WICKED CONFESSION (5) looks best of the rest in a race that drops away quickly. 

BACK: LOWER WEST SIDE (3) – 3 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: LOWER WEST SIDE (3), CROCODILE BLOOD (2), BOLT OF CABARGO (6), WICKED CONFESSION (5)