Maryborough Harness Preview – Wednesday, June 17

OVERVIEW: JESSICAS STORY (3) is racing in good form and is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern. She unsuccessfully tried to lead early, was shuffled back in the field mid-race and finished off well for a game third behind I Am Harro at her latest attempt. CHAMPAGNES (4) broke stride at the 400m mark and was able to make up ground in the home straight at her latest unlucky fourth. She was runner up at Horsham prior and she is a good chance of following JESSICAS STORY (3) across at the start to eventually find the lead so she must be respected. MATTYO (1) has been racing from the standing start in recent times and has been performing consistently. He is likely to be headed off at the start but he is a tough type and should run his usual honest race. PRO HIBITION (6) finished off fast via the sprint lane when third at Kilmore two starts ago and has claims if he delivers a fool proof display. 

BACK: JESSICAS STORY (3) – 1.5 units (each way)  

OVERVIEW: POPPY POPSTAR (4) is racing in career best form having been placed at her past nine starts. She set up a genuine tempo in the lead and was run down at the end by Artigas (won again since) last outing and is capable of going one better now. GATESYS MATE (7) gained a nice trail and appeared to be under pressure at the 600m but rallied in the straight when third behind Te Amo on a wet track at Kilmore last outing. He won at Cranbourne prior and he should go well despite the wide draw. DEEP LOVE (5) attempted to lead early but couldn’t get across POPPY POPSTAR (4) and restrained to gain a position on the markers when a reasonable fourth last outing. He finished okay for third behind Sammy Haller (won again since) prior and is worth thought against this line up. THE CHOOK (1) is resuming since March but she is a speedy mare and is drawn to receive every chance so she cannot be left out of calculations.   

SELECTIONS: POPPY POPSTAR (4), GATESYS MATE (7), DEEP LOVE (5), THE CHOOK (1)   

OVERVIEW: ROCKINWITHSASS (8) is a juvenile filly taking on older horses but she ran a super race on debut after she broke stride in the score up, chased hard and still beat a few runners to the line in reasonable time. She is nicely bred and will take beating if she delivers a fool proof display. VIXAN (3) possesses early speed and is a good chance of finding the lead shortly after the start. She came from midfield on the markers when a close second at Charlton then didn’t help her chances when she was trotting very roughly over the concluding stages at her latest fourth. KYVALLEY REEVA (7) was held up for a run at a vital stage and was doing her best work at the end when third at Kilmore last outing. She is a lightly raced filly and should continue to improve with the benefit of experience. SPARKIE DEVINE (6) was a comfortable winner at a Maryborough trial performance prior to ruining her chances with a poor getaway at her debut. She has ability and cannot be discarded. 

BACK: ROCKINWITHSASS (8) – 2 units (win)  

SELECTIONS: ROCKINWITHSASS (8), VIXAN (3), KYVALLEY REEVA (7), SPARKIE DEVINE (6)  

OVERVIEW: ARGYLE MUSE (1) is resuming since finishing eighth in the Super Series Final back in November. She showed promise in her initial campaign of racing and is perfectly drawn for her return so she is likely to attract plenty of support. KIMBERLEYS TREE (4) stood still then galloped away from the standing start when she lost all chance in the Warragul Cup at her first up performance. Her form last preparation was strong and being back to the mobile start is an advantage so she is worth another chance. SHONEE (3) finished fourth in the Gold Bracelet during the Redwood Classic Carnival then competed in Super Series events so she was racing against good opposition during her last campaign. She has ability and has been runner up in two recent trial performances so she is not without a chance. JILLIBY RADIANCE (8) performed well at his first two attempts then made mistakes at his next two appearances. He has the ability to figure in the finish if he delivers a fool proof display.  

BACK: ARGYLE MUSE (1) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: ARGYLE MUSE (1), KIMBERLEYS TREE (4), SHONEE (3), JILLIBY RADIANCE (8)  

OVERVIEW: JUST ME AND YOU (7) has made errors in all of his four starts to date but when he trots, he does have ability. He was racing against solid opposition in New South Wales considering he competed in two heats of the Foundation Series at Menangle and in the Bathurst Gold Coronet. He did make several errors at his Victorian debut but it was under very wet conditions. PARDRAY (1) is resuming since a fifth at Bendigo in February. She has had two trials recently for a third and a win and is drawn to go close. CUDGEE BREEZE (6) is a first starter for trainer John Meade, which strikes a suitable assignment first up. He has been unplaced in several recent Terang trial performances but must be kept safe. WAITING FOR ANNA (2) was beaten by a long way at Geelong last outing but was runner up at Cranbourne prior and should receive every chance from her ideal draw.  

SELECTIONS: JUST ME AND YOU (7), PARDRAY (1), CUDGEE BREEZE (6), WAITING FOR ANNA (2) 

OVERVIEW: BROWN EYED KATE (1) began quickly from the standing start to find the lead and held off her rivals to win at Mount Gambier last outing. She reverts to the mobile start now but strikes a suitable assignment and is drawn to go close. MADGE EGAN (7) is widely drawn but boasts enough early speed to find a prominent position in the early stages. She pushed forward to race without cover when second at Kilmore last outing and this race is no harder. KYVALLEY MISTY (10) began fast from the standing start to find the lead and battled on well for second behind the in-form trotter Mista Walker (won again since) at Cranbourne. She hasn’t won a race since June 2024 but her latest effort was encouraging. PLAYA DEL CARMEN (9) was runner up in a race of similar standard at Kilmore on May 02. She tends to perform best when she is close to the lead so being drawn on the second line is a disadvantage but she is not without a chance under these conditions.  

SELECTIONS: BROWN EYED KATE (1), MADGE EGAN (7), KYVALLEY MISTY (10), PLAYA DEL CARMEN (9)