Ouyen Cup Day Harness Preview – Sunday 10th May

OVERVIEW: ALS CHOICE (3) is a 2yo having his first start, giving away race experience, but what he’s shown at the trials may be good enough for a debut win. In his three trials he’s taken on older horses and won impressively, most recently showing good manners again while running decent time. Those efforts appear stronger than what the opposition has produced under race conditions.
MAXI ANGEL (2) changed stables ahead of her debut at Mildura and ran well. She showed no gate speed and made decent ground from last, so with natural improvement can go closer. MELS NIGHT OUT (4) has been okay placing at Mildura recently from awkward draws and if she maps well will be in the mix again. SHEZA MAJOR CRUNCH (1) has only had the one inconclusive trial, but the stable does well with its young horses and she has an economical draw.

BACK: ALS CHOICE (3) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: COCOSWORLD (1) was big odds defeating a good field when resuming at Shepparton. He showed sustained speed off a slow tempo through the final lap and produced some of the best figures of the meeting. If he reproduces that performance he can win again.
ROYAL SAXON (5) has been a model of consistency this campaign, often racing outside the speed and working hard, but when he’s able to lead is where he delivers his best results. He can press forward from this draw and if he finds the top will be hard to catch. THEBUCKSONYOU (7) will be improved by his first-up fifth at Mildura, where he did have every chance, but his form last campaign was solid. IM ALRIGHT JACK (2) will look to make the most of this draw to find the front end and was a winner from that position four runs back.

BACK: COCOSWORLD (1) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: ROCKNROLL WILLOW (5) is a 3yo filly taking on more experienced horses, but she deserves to be a short-priced favourite on what she’s shown in her past two seasons. After resuming this campaign with two strong wins, connections raced her in a heat of the NSW Oaks where she was safely held, but to be fair they ran scintillating time. The lead is no guarantee, but she can still be too good.
EYENEEDTHAT (3) is another 3yo with ability, and he too has been racing up in grade. He’s produced forgive runs his past few starts when failing as favourite but can bounce back here with the right run. YAPPER (4) is first up without a trial, but he’s a speedy beginner and could map well and provide value for the exotics. NUGGET ROGERS (7) has ability, but it’s been a while since he’s put two runs together, although he has place claims.

BACK: ROCKNROLL WILLOW (5) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: VILLAGE VOICE (7) is a little awkwardly drawn but gets into the race well with the junior claim on the back of some solid form, going for three straight wins. Even though she will be giving the leaders a start, her last-half times are better than those at the top end and she can come over the top late.
CHOGI (8) has been below par her past few, but in her defence, she has been racing up in grade. She was a winner four back in decent time in similar class so can bounce back here. BRAVE ART (6) has lost the good form she had earlier this season, but she strikes a winnable race and gets in well with the claim to improve. ONLY ONCE BITTEN (4) is a very quick beginner and can cross these with little resistance, it’s just her closing sectionals that leave her vulnerable.

OVERVIEW: A tricky race for the first leg of the Quaddie! HAWKESDALE DEED (6) has improved her past few runs and is on the backup from Tuesday night where she ran a good second to a horse who would be long odds-on in this. She has a tough draw to overcome.
CARAPAZ (9) has a good place strike rate but is yet to break through for a victory. She’s fit enough and this presents easier than what she’s been opposed to. CAPTAIN GRIN (5) has been beaten his past couple after doing things wrong last time and drawing poorly fresh but could be open to improvement. FRENCH BEACH (1) hasn’t done much in two trials, but the soft draw and moderate opposition keep her in calculations.

OVERVIEW: EARS THE BOSS (4) could be racing for four wins in a row for the new stable if it wasn’t for a flat tyre three back. His past two wins, where he’s been able to find the lead, have been very good. He’ll be stamped urgent again and if he can replicate what he’s been doing can win again.
RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (7) draws softly along the inside and was favourite over Ears The Boss three runs back. He may need some luck, but he’s been racing very well at Mildura. APOLOGY ACCEPTED (1) will be doing his best to hunt up from the inside draw and if he catches the leader’s back looks a solid chance. MARGARITARI (8) was long odds when resuming but ran a good race finishing fourth after sustaining a wide run. More of that quality will see him in the finish.

BACK: EARS THE BOSS (4) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: Time for the feature – the Ouyen Pacing Cup. DHAULAGIRI (11) failed as an odds-on favourite earlier in the week, but his run was too bad to be true, over-racing and dropping out uncharacteristically. He’s won six from 13 this season and loves these longer-distance country cups. Trust the stable to turn him around and deliver his best.
WESTERN SONADOR (9) hasn’t won for a long time, but he’s been racing well up in grade by the same token and will appreciate this opposition. Expect him to improve sharply. MY ULTIMATE JIMMY (8) beat a decent field to win a heat of the Mildura Cup but had every chance last start where he was entitled to win. CRIME WRITER (6) is a winner at this track and will appreciate the distance more than most but will need some luck from the draw.

OVERVIEW: PRESIDENTIALCHANGE (7) was a winner back in January but hasn’t had much luck with barrier draws since and has still been racing okay. He may map better than it appears, with the pole marker a quick beginner. If he gets the luck over the concluding stages, he will be hard to hold out.
SOAR (5) finds a more suitable race than what he’s faced his past few, where he’s still run well placing in four of his past six. The map does look a little sticky for him. NO EMOTION (11) got it wrong at the start last time, but he’s normally never far away at this level and if he can work into the race will be in the finish. CHALKNCHEDDAR (3) was a winner four runs back when able to lead and the map looks favourable for him to race handy here.