Mildura hosts Friday afternoon harness racing with eight races on offer. Craig Rail provides a race-by-race preview and tips.
| 4. Only Once Bitten Nz (4) J: Ben Xiriha 27132T: A P Vozlic | |||
| Two back was third behind The Sportz Star at Horsham over 1700m on June 22 at $61. Then a handy effort when a close second after a quick start, behind Odins Black Crows at this track over 1790m on July 3 at $26. Winning claims. | |||
OVERVIEW: ROYAL SAXON (6) began quickly and worked to the front shortly after the start when he completely dominated his rivals at Mildura on June 12. He took on the open class at Mildura last week and he drops back into a more suitable line up here so he can return to winning form. MAGGACIS (7) produced a brave effort after racing without cover throughout at his latest second behind Hez So Royal. He has enjoyed a fruitful season having won five races and should go well again from his trailing draw. THEBUCKSONYOU (4) settled four back on the markers and was held up for a run at a vital stage when an unlucky sixth last week. He scored at Mildura three starts ago and strikes another suitable assignment here. PRIDDY CARSON (5) is stepping up in class but he has been racing in terrific form and should be competitive again. He gained a nice trail early then sustained a long run from the 600m when a handy winner last week.
BACK: ROYAL SAXON (6) – 2 units (win)
| 6. Royal Saxon (6) J: Ben Xiriha 15166T: N Kerr | |||
| Last start 6th (Fr3) over 2190m at this track, at the bell was 7th-13.6 beaten 18 m by All Da Rage (2:41.50) on July 3 at $19. Before that, 6th (Fr3) over 2190m at this track, beaten 18 m by All Da Rage (2:41.50) on July 2 at $19. Likely improver who is worth including. | |||
OVERVIEW: DALLAS MIKI (5) worked hard to find the lead and was run down at the end when fourth last week. He ran along at a genuine tempo when a big winner at Mildura prior and is worth another chance. TOUGH AINT ENOUGH (7) parked without cover throughout in a strong tempo and finished a close up fifth at Mildura last week. He was placed at his three starts prior and is very versatile so he warrants respect. LETSGO BIG GIRL (1) attempted to lead throughout when a brave second at Mildura two starts ago then went back at the start from a wide draw and finished off well at her latest third. She is ideally drawn and is nearing a win. POWERSOFPERSUASION (6) finished off well from a nice trail when a close second behind All Da Rage last week. He is racing well enough to figure in the finish if he gains some luck from his wide draw.
| 5. Dallas Miki (5) J: Ros Rolfe 87144T: R J Rolfe | |||
| Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished 3.5 m fourth behind All Da Rage at this track over 2190m last start. Before that was beaten 3.5 metres fourth again here same class on July 2. Expected to improve sharply. | |||
OVERVIEW: LAZIEST (3) commenced from the outside of the front row, began well and progressed forward out wide on the track to park without cover before dashing to the front at the 500m when a brave second at Globe Derby last outing. He beat the remainder of the field by a large margin and is capable of going one better now. G B BRAVE (6) continues to build on his consistent record at Mildura and looms as one of the leading chances again. He is widely drawn but is versatile and did well after coming from a rearward position at his latest third. CHEERS POVERTY (1) was able to find his favourite role as being the pacemaker and scored comfortably last week. This race is much harder but he is perfectly drawn again and should be prominent throughout. CAULONIA TERROR (7) has the perfect trailing draw behind CHEERS POVERTY (1) and rates as a value hope.
BACK: LAZIEST (3) – 3 units (win)
| 3. Laziest (3) J: Wayne Hill 6×172T: J K Neilson, K Wilson | |||
| Two back was seventh behind Lord Myrmecia at Globe Derby Park over 1800m on June 14 at $8. Then a handy effort when beaten by 2 m finishing second after a quick start, behind Shemeansbusiness at Globe Derby Park over 1800m on June 24 at $5. Drawn to advantage and expected to go well again. | |||
OVERVIEW: COME ON BILLEE (4) trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn when a close second behind Maxi Angel last week. He has been placed in five of his nine starts to date and should be competitive again under these conditions. ALMIGHTY RUSH (2) is a first starter for trainer Lane Johnson, which must be kept safe. She was performing fairly at the trials in Victoria then switched to South Australia, where she was runner up at a recent Gawler trial effort. SWEET LUCY LOU (8) broke stride at the start, settled down last and was held up for a run at a vital stage when a handy fourth last week. She is racing well but without luck so she is worth a ticket each way. THE NINJA (6) led out then took cover and raced fiercely throughout when second at Charlton on Monday. He is a maiden from 33 starts but he has been placed 15 times so he cannot be left out of calculations.
BACK: COME ON BILLEE (4) – 1.5 units (each way)
| 4. Come On Billee (4) J: Luke Sutherland 53822T: K M Attard | |||
| Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished a narrow second behind Maxi Angel at this track over 1790m last start. Before that was beaten 3 metres second at Globe Derby Park over 1800m same class on June 24. Major player. | |||
OVERVIEW: APOLOGY ACCEPTED (7) settled in a rearward position and couldn’t work into the race in a leader dominant event last week. He was placed at his three starts prior and he strikes a suitable assignment now. WATCHING OVER US (6) raced without cover for the last 700m and chased hard when second at Globe Derby last week. He beat the remainder of the field by a good margin and should be competitive again under these conditions. NEDS BEACH (4) finished second behind the in-form pacer After The Chase at Globe Derby three starts ago and didn’t have much room in the middle of runners when sixth (5m) on that track earlier in the week. He has won nine races at Mildura previously and looms as one of the leading chances again. BIG BAD CHAD (2) was out three horses wide early before progressing forward to race without cover when a creditable fifth at Mildura last outing. He is better drawn for this assignment and is not without a chance.
| 7. Apology Accepted (1) J: Luke Dunne 82339T: A P Vozlic | |||
| Last start 9th (Sr4) over 1790m at this track was 2nd-0.9 at the bell, beaten 19 m by Whitehaven Beach (2:17.20) on July 3 at $8. At his previous start game effort when 3rd (Sr3) over 2190m at this track was 7th-14 at the bell, beaten 8 m by Megawatts (2:47.80) on June 26 at $2.70. Will be in the finish if he finds his best. | |||
OVERVIEW: HESASTAR (8) gained a nice trail in the one out and one back position for the majority of the trip before angling out three horses wide at the 700m when a close second last week. He is more versatile than most in this event and looms as a winning chance. PUNTO CALIENTE (10) was headed off from the pole position and was shuffled back on the markers when unplaced at Mildura last week. He finished off quickly when a close second behind Wow You Can Dance prior so he is worth another chance. BETTOR DOO (9) will find this race to be a little easier than his recent performances and he held his own over the latter stages behind Whitehaven Beach last week so he rates as a value hope. SNEAKY PHILTRA (4) appeared to have every chance last week after trailing the leader but her overall form is good enough to be competitive in this grade. CHALKNCHEDDAR (3) ran a better race when third at Horsham on June 22 and is worth an investment.
BACK: HESASTAR (8) – 1 unit (each way)
| 8. Hesastar (2) J: Ben Xiriha 52852T: A P Vozlic | |||
| Improved last start with a solid effort when 2nd (Sr2) over 1790m at this track was 3rd-3.6 at the bell, beaten a head by Sunshine Warrior (2:14.70) on July 3 at $13. Expected to go well again. | |||
OVERVIEW: It is an open race to end the program with many winning chances. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (8) didn’t have much luck over the final stages in a stronger race last week and he led throughout to defeat the in-form pacer Priddy Carson prior so he warrants respect. CALF PEN (10) picked up some ground from a long way back when fourth behind Cheers Poverty last outing. He finished third behind RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (8) on June 19 and he should be finishing off well. ROJENBYE (1) was a winner at Mildura on May 29 and is a good chance of ending up being behind the leader from the pole position so he is not without a chance. LOSEASHOE (2) has been well beaten at his past five attempts but he was heavily supported and stormed across from the outside of the front line when he led throughout to win impressively prior. He is drawn to lead again so he is a possible improver on his recent performances.
| 8. Rubbleonthedouble (2) J: Connor Clarke 72170T: S M Osborn | |||
| Last start was well back in the run when 10th (Fr6) over 1790m at this track was 7th-11.3 at the bell, beaten 13 m by Odins Black Crows (2:16.00) on July 3 at $101. Before that, 7th (Fr1) over 1790m at this track was 5th-7.8 at the bell, beaten 14 m by Shes Poppy (2:13.10) on June 26 at $5. Is better than that and is a likely improver. | |||
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
Race 2 No.6 Royal Saxon – 2 units (win)
Race 4 No.3 Laziest – 3 units (win)
Race 5 No.4 Come On Billee – 1.5 units (each way)
Race 7 No.8 Hesastar – 1 unit (each way)
EARLY QUADDIE (Cost $48)
4,6,7/ 4,5,6,7/ 1,5,6,7/ 3
QUADDIE (Cost $48, gives 15%)
2,4,6,8/ 2,4,6,7/ 3,4,8,9,10/ 1,2,8,10
OVERVIEW: ONLY ONCE BITTEN (4) has been placed in five of her past six starts and will appreciate a slight drop back in class on her past two performances. She attempted to lead throughout and was run down on the line by Odins Black Crows last week and she is capable of going one better now. WATCH THE ATTITUDE (7) broke stride at the start, chased hard and did an excellent job to finish as close as she did last week. She finished third behind the in-form pacer Priddy Carson prior and is capable of featuring prominently if she gets away safely. SHIRLEY NOT (6) may have finished ninth last week but her effort was still sound. It was a slowly run race, the final sectionals were fast and she was picking up ground out wide on the track in the latter stages. She is likely to settle in the second half of the field again but she has the ability to run a good race, particularly if the tempo of this race is more genuine than last week. DAYLIGHT (2) began fast to find the lead, backed off the tempo mid-race and was run down on the line last week. She is likely to lead early but may take cover over the longer trip this week and is a minor place chance again.