Mildura hosts Friday afternoon harness racing with ten races on offer. Craig Rail provides a race-by-race preview and tips.
| 6. Royal Appointment (6) J: Jack Laugher 36272T: Michael Laugher | |||
| Two back was well beaten into seventh after being driven well back, behind Fairplay at Melton over 2240m on July 18 at $11. Then a handy effort when beaten by 6 m finishing second after showing early speed, behind Enjoy Life at Melton over 1720m on July 25 at $6. Major player. | |||
OVERVIEW: ALL DONE TARA (5) is a maiden from nine starts but she gets her chance to break through for a win here. She missed out narrowly behind Aruval at Melton then had every chance at her latest fourth but beat most of today’s rivals across the line by a comfortable margin. NO GOOD REASON (2) attempted to lead throughout when a close third at Mildura last outing. She is a good chance of finding the lead again and is worth an investment. ZEALYN (3) settled in a rearward position and finished a distant fifth at Swan Hill last outing. He was placed behind Woodville Flyer (won again since) three starts ago, which is a good form pointer to this event. MY ULTIMATE HENRY (1) worked to the front and tired at the end when a disappointing seventh at Swan Hill last outing. He was placed at Mildura prior and is a place chance again from the pole position.
| 5. All Done Tara (5) J: Ellen Tormey 24524T: John Tormey | |||
| Last start surrendered the lead and finished 4th (Fr2) over 2240m after showing early speed at Swan Hill was 2nd-5 at the bell, beaten 12 m by Capital Avenue (2:47.00) on July 24 at $6. Before that, a good run when 2nd (Fr5) over 1720m after showing early speed at Melton beaten a nose by Aruval (2:05.60) in 3yo on July 15 at $5. Rates highly and expected to be in the finish. | |||
OVERVIEW: PARADIGM (8) produced a big performance to win at Globe Derby two starts ago after he broke stride early and settled down a clear last early. He came from last when a game third behind Just Incredible last outing and he is clearly the horse to beat here. RED HOT MIKI (4) attempted to hold a forward position around the first turn but broke stride and ended up being four back on the markers when seventh (6m) at Mildura last outing. He produced a game effort after working hard to lead when second prior so he is worth another chance. THE AFRICAN QUEEN (3) was held up for a run at a vital stage and didn’t have much luck when sixth (4m) behind Ronzel Micky last time out. She was a winner at Mildura in June and is working up to another success. ROCKNROLL LENNY (5) ran a better race for fourth at Mildura last time and has claims along with RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (7).
BACK: PARADIGM (8) – 3 units (win)
| 8. Paradigm (2) J: Corey Johnson 10413T: Lane Johnson | |||
| Last start solid effort when 3rd (Sr4) over 1790m at this track was 6th-5 at the bell, beaten 7 m by Just Incredible (2:14.20) on July 17 at $21. Two runs back won by 2.5 m Ignore broke at Globe Derby Park on July 6. (Fr3) at Globe Derby Park (2:12.20) beating Bohemian Braids in on July 6 at $6 at the bell was 2nd-3.4. Bold showing expected again. | |||
OVERVIEW: WHITEHAVEN BEACH (7) is racing in peak form and looms as one of the leading chances again. He trailed the leader and came to the outside on the home turn when a close up second last outing and he has won two races at Mildura recently. APOLOGY ACCEPTED (4) settled in the second half of the field and finished off fairly well for fourth at Swan Hill last week. He was runner up at his previous two Mildura attempts and should go well again. STARVIN MARVIN (6) has had no luck whatsoever at his most recent performances and rates as a value hope. He was caught wide early, dropped back to last and picked up ground late when fifth at Swan Hill last outing. CAPTAIN PAPRIKA (5) led throughout at a Mildura victory two starts ago and is a winning chance again if he can get across to the markers going around the first corner.
| 7. Whitehaven Beach (1) J: Wayne Hill 14152T: Allan MacDonald | |||
| Two back was beaten by 9 m finishing fifth behind Calf Pen at this track over 1790m on July 10 at $3.20. Then a handy effort when beaten by 1.3 m finishing second behind Ronzel Micky at this track over 1790m on July 17 at $4. Best efforts should see him go well again. | |||
OVERVIEW: BANDIT EYES (1) is a bold front running pacer that is making his debut for trainer Alex Ashwood. He hasn’t produced his best form since returning from New South Wales but he gets the conditions to improve here. UNITED (2) gained a nice trail and just failed to overhaul Nev’s Dream at his latest close second. His past three performances have been sound and he is drawn to gain a trail close to the speed again. GOOD BOOTS BINDI (8) possesses a powerful finishing burst and recorded handy time at a Mildura victory on June 19. He picked up ground from last at his latest fifth (6.5m) and should be competitive again under these conditions. CARLISLE CRUISER (5) is resuming since February but was a soft winner against easy opposition at a recent Mildura trial victory and has claims along with GUEST ARTIST (4), which has ability but has had a few chances since coming from New South Wales.
| 1. Bandit Eyes (1) J: Alex Ashwood 6×607T: Alex Ashwood | |||
| Last start 7th (Fr4) over 2100m at Geelong was 5th-4.94 at the bell, beaten 13 m by Sols Me Name (2:33.10) on June 19 at $41. Before that, failed to finish when he ran at Bendigo on June 10 over 2150m. Capable of a lot more. | |||
OVERVIEW: SANTA CASA LEVI (1) is a fast beginner and is perfectly drawn to suit his racing pattern. He attempted to lead throughout when second behind Alienfromarmstrong at Mildura prior to a second behind Listen To The Hand, where he trailed the leader throughout. THE NINJA (2) settled midfield on the markers and was doing his best work at the end when third behind Capital Avenue at Swan Hill last outing. He is still a maiden from 36 starts but he has been placed 16 times and he has the early speed to be prominent throughout. ALMIGHTY RUSH (5) is a South Australian trained pacer, which has performed fairly well at her two Mildura starts to date. She is awkwardly drawn but she should continue to improve with the benefit of racing. CAPTIVATE ME (3) is resuming since a distant fourth at Victor Harbor, where he led and tired from the home turn. He has two fast beginners drawn on his inside but he was successful in a recent Mildura trial performance and is not without a chance against this line up.
| 1. Santa Casa Levi (1) J: Ellen Tormey 57722T: A P Vozlic | |||
| Fair run when beaten by 6 m finishing second after a quick start, behind Alienfromarmstrong at this track over 2190m on July 10 at $10. Then a handy effort when well beaten into second behind Listen To The Hand at this track over 2190m on July 17 at $26. Leading contender. | |||
OVERVIEW: It is a very open race with many winning chances. EGBERT (7) ran a sharper race when third behind Daylight at Mildura last outing and is drawn behind the likely leader GROVE DALE (1) so he rates as a value chance. GROVE DALE (1) will appreciate a drop back in distance for this assignment and is likely to be in front for a long way. He attempted to lead throughout under similar conditions when third behind Sunshine Warrior three starts ago. HESASTAR (10) settled three back on the markers and was held up behind tiring runners before picking up some ground late when sixth at Swan Hill. He raced without cover throughout when third prior and is usually competitive against this class. KEAYANG CRIPPA (5) and CHALKNCHEDDAR (6) are both widely drawn but are racing well enough to figure in the finish.
| 7. Egbert (1) J: Jack Laugher x8773T: S M Osborn | |||
| Improved last start with a game effort when 3rd (Fr2) over 2190m after showing early speed at this track, beaten 21 m by Daylight (2:45.90) on July 17 at $15. Can continue the good form and take this out. | |||
OVERVIEW: SNEAKY PHILTRA (8) has struck peak form with successive victories at Mildura followed by a second at Swan Hill, where she worked to the front on the first turn and was run down late. This race is no harder and she should prove hard to beat again. PUNTO CALIENTE (3) settled in the second half of the field and finished off quickly for an eye-catching fourth at Swan Hill. He also finished off quickly when second behind DAYLIGHT (10) at Mildura prior so he is nearing a win against this class. BURNING HOT (1) began quickly to move up without cover and battled on fairly well for fourth at Port Pirie last outing. He should receive a more economical trip from the pole position today so he is not without a chance. OUR MASTER PLAY (7) has been well below his best form recently but he is a possible improver from the trailing draw. SUNSHINE WARRIOR (5), ALIENFROMARMSTRONG (6) and DAYLIGHT (10) are all worth thought in multiple combinations.
| 8. Sneaky Philtra (2) J: Jack Laugher 74112T: N Kerr | |||
| Beaten favourite last start when second at Swan Hill on July 24. Won the start prior at this track on July 17. Tricky draw but rates highly and expected to feature again. | |||
OVERVIEW: BOYSTROUS (1) is a classy juvenile pacer, which remains undefeated in two starts. He recorded a sizzling mile rate of 1.54.4 when he scored at Wagga last outing and he will take beating from the pole position. YARRAMAN JOLT (4) is a fast beginner and is racing well enough to give a forward showing. He led throughout at a Shepparton victory on June 09 and finished off well for third behind Bet Sheza Lady at Shepparton last outing. SHES POPPY (8) is a good chance of ending up being three back on the markers from her trailing draw and she was able to score at Mildura two starts ago so she could run into a place. CHEERS POVERTY (7) disappointed at Swan Hill but is a good chance of ending up behind the leader from the perfect trailing draw so he is a minor place possibility. PRIDDY CARSON (10) will appreciate a drop back in class and possesses a powerful finishing burst but he will be doing a lot of chasing from the extreme draw.
BACK: BOYSTROUS (1) – 4 units (win)
| 1. Boystrous (1) J: Alex Ashwood 1×1T: Alex Ashwood | |||
| Resumed from a 102-day break with a strong win by 1.3 m as favourite when quickly away, (Fr5) at Riverina Paceway (2:03.70) beating Fully Reckless in 2yo on July 10 at $1.25 at the bell was leading 6.1. Fitter and is a leading contender again. | |||
OVERVIEW: HILLTOP STAR (1) was resuming since being unplaced in the Breeders Crown in December when second from behind the leader at Port Pirie. She is a promising filly and is perfectly drawn so she is capable of going one better here. RIVERGUM VELOX (8) is another South Australian trained pacer, which should be competitive against this line up. He was a runaway winner at Globe Derby two starts ago then led throughout and recorded a slick final half of 56.7 seconds at his latest victory. KYORETSU (11) led throughout and scored by a large margin two weeks ago then raced without cover throughout when a game second behind Hellovatime at Swan Hill. He has a tough draw to overcome but cannot be dismissed. JUST INCREDIBLE (10) was heavily supported and finished off best from midfield at his latest victory. This is a race of more depth but he is worth thought again.
BACK: HILLTOP STAR (1) – 3 units (win)
| 1. Hilltop Star (1) J: Wayne Hill 340×2T: P C Bain | |||
| Second-up here following a spell. Game effort when 2nd (Fr2) over 1609m at Port Pirie, beaten 6 m by Nevada Gambler (1:57.70) on July 15 at $1.70. Among the main chances again. | |||
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
Race 3 No.8 Paradigm – 3 units (win)
Race 9 No.1 Boystrous – 4 units (win)
Race 10 No.1 Hilltop Star – 3 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE (Cost $36, gives 50%)
4,5,6/ 2,3,5/ 4,8/ 4,5,6,7
QUADDIE (Cost $30, gives 25%)
1,2,8/ 1,2,3,5/ 1,5,6,7,10/ 3,8
OVERVIEW: ROYAL APPOINTMENT (6) needs the right run to feature prominently and has drawn the extreme alley but he will appreciate a significant drop back in class on his recent Metropolitan performances. He trailed the leader and battled on well for second behind Enjoy Life in a sizzling mile rate of 1.52.4 last week so he should be competitive here. POWERSOFPERSUASION (5) finished off fairly well when third behind Serg Blanco last outing. He missed out by a slender margin under similar conditions two starts ago and is worth thought again. LETSGO BIG GIRL (4) performed well below expectations when last of eight at Mildura last outing but she led throughout in a slick mile rate of 1.56.4 two starts ago. She has several fast beginners drawn on her inside but she must be respected. NEVS DREAM (2) led throughout at her latest Mildura victory. This race is harder but she is suited to competing over the sprint distance.