Shepparton Harness Preview – Tuesday 9th June

OVERVIEW: WINGATE GUY (11) drops to a much more suitable grade here after some solid efforts over the past month. There looks to be enough tempo early for him to find a nice trail and finish strongly late. His best performances this season have come with Alex Ashwood in the sulky. 

OUR MYSTERY BET (9) returns to the middle trip where he does his best racing. Over the sprint trip here last week he worked home well despite finishing well behind the winner, and a more moderately run race should suit. He can punch through from this draw and grind them down over the concluding stages. METRO MEMORY (12) strikes a winnable race compared to what he’s faced in recent starts. The draw is no luxury, but with the right trail into the race he can be strong late. KRAKEY (10) has been consistent without winning, placing in four of his past five starts. His best winning chances generally come from favourable draws, but he’s right in the mix again. 

BACK: WINGATE GUY (11) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: WINGATE GUY (11), OUR MYSTERY BET (9), METRO MEMORY (12), KRAKEY (10) 

OVERVIEW: FLIGHT LOUTENANT (2) comes from NSW, where he competed in stronger company than this. He now joins one of Victoria’s premier trainers of low-rated horses, a stable renowned for producing immediate improvement from new acquisitions. This is moderate opposition and, although he hasn’t trialled locally, everything points towards a winning debut for the new camp. Any market support would only add confidence. 

ROCK POSTER (7) was desperately unlucky two starts ago and, although she had every chance last time, still performed well. The draw is no help, but she’s racing consistently and a win isn’t far away. HEYNOWHEYNOW (8) makes his first start for an astute local stable and has trialled well enough to be considered despite the awkward draw. WOODVILLE FLYER (5) could improve sharply here. She did it tough last start and suffered a flat tyre the run prior. Three starts back she was beaten only a head by a subsequent winner. 

BACK: FLIGHT LOUTENANT (2) – 4 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: FLIGHT LOUTENANT (2), ROCK POSTER (7), HEYNOWHEYNOW (8), WOODVILLE FLYER (5) 

OVERVIEW: WILL HE REIGN (2) has been very good at his past two starts, aided by being able to race prominently over the sprint trip. He looks the likely leader from this draw and, considering he worked harder last time and still recorded the fastest closing quarter, that may be enough for him to go one better. 

IM DUSTEE (8) came through the same race and was unlucky not to win after recording the fastest last half of the event. The draw makes things tricky, but recent performances suggest he’s back to his best. THERESHEWAS (4) ran into a smart one last week when finishing second after enjoying a good run. The closing sectionals were strong and she can be in the finish again. IAMAWINGATE (1) has won two of his past four starts. This is a class rise, but the draw and leading driver engagement are positives. 

BACK: WILL HE REIGN (2) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: WILL HE REIGN (2), IM DUSTEE (8), THERESHEWAS (4), IAMAWINGATE (1) 

OVERVIEW: ROCKIN CHARMER (6) was very good last start at his second run for the new stable. While he had every chance, there was clear improvement in the performance. He possesses early gate speed and gets the state’s leading driver aboard, so expect an aggressive approach in search of the lead against moderate opposition. 

ABERCROMBIE LIMBO (2) was well backed last start when finishing third. Although she had her chance, she stuck on reasonably well and looks likely to lead before potentially taking cover. SHEZABLUECHIP (8) is third-up from a spell and hasn’t been far away in either run this preparation. The draw is awkward, but half of her career wins have come at this track. FAKE CULLECTION (9) is the stablemate and drops into a suitable race on ratings. Her record at Shepparton is the concern, having placed only twice from 17 attempts. 

SELECTIONS: ROCKIN CHARMER (6), ABERCROMBIE LIMBO (2), SHEZABLUECHIP (8), FAKE CULLECTION (9) 

OVERVIEW: FENWAY PARK (1) gets the ideal opportunity to break through for the new stable. He has been gallant in defeat in four runs at this track against stronger opposition than he meets here. From the draw he can either hold the lead or secure the right trail. Either way, he’s trending towards a deserved victory. 

SOHO AMARYLLIS (3) may look to press forward and find the front. Her chances hinge on that tactic and, if she doesn’t have to work too hard early, her win three starts ago puts her right in the mix. THE KING OFTHEROAD (2) should secure a soft run on the pegs and was sound at his first Shepparton appearance last week. He now joins a smart stable and warrants respect. POSTIT LAFITE (4) should be fitter third-up. The draw is tricky, but she was racing consistently in similar company last preparation. 

BACK: FENWAY PARK (1) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: FENWAY PARK (1), SOHO AMARYLLIS (3), THE KING OFTHEROAD (2), POSTIT LAFITE (4) 

OVERVIEW: ANDRETTI (3) creates plenty of interest here. He joins the Ashwood stable after arriving from New Zealand, where he contested the Nutrien Series in Wagga against elite three-year-olds. He either worked too hard or simply encountered horses going much quicker than him there. This is a vastly easier assignment, and any betting support should be respected. 

LINE DANCE (1) is impossible to ignore given his recent form. He has attracted market confidence at each start and produced a dominant all-the-way win at Bendigo last time in slick time. DEMBE (4) should be fitter third-up from a spell. He disappointed last time but had a difficult draw and a fast-closing sectional to contend with. INTERESTINME (2) is likely to dive straight to the pegs, which could prove the place to be if a solid mile rate is recorded. 

SELECTIONS: ANDRETTI (3), LINE DANCE (1), DEMBE (4); INTERESTINME (2)