Mildura hosts Friday afternoon harness racing with ten races on offer. Craig Rail provides a race-by-race preview and tips.
| 1. Starvin Marvin Nz (1) J: Corey Johnson 54953T: N L Cameron | |||
| Improved last start with a game effort despite getting well back, when 3rd (Fr5) over 2190m at this track was 4th-5.2 at the bell, beaten 10 m by Itz Blackjack (2:45.00) on July 31 at $3.80. Can retain the good form. | |||
OVERVIEW: DON CRUNCH (4) was beaten by a long way at Melton last week but he was held up for a run at a vital stage and the mile rate was a superb 1.51.8! He possesses a powerful finishing burst and this is a drop back in class so he should prove very hard to beat. JUST INCREDIBLE (8) is racing in peak form and looms as the logical danger. He produced a big finish to win comfortably at Mildura on July 17 and was placed behind the in-form pacer Kyoretsu last week. HELLO BEAUTIFUL (7) is stepping up in class from her past two South Australian victories but she sprinted sharply from behind the leader at her latest success so she cannot be discarded. BAZZAS LEGACY (2) has finished off nicely at his past two attempts and has claims along with the likely leader NO GOOD REASON (1).
| 4. Don Crunch (4) J: Luke Dunne x5232T: T J Hutchins | |||
| Solid run when beaten by 1.75 m finishing third after being driven well back, behind Woodville Flyer at Swan Hill over 2240m on July 24 at $2. Then a handy effort when well beaten into second behind The Last Trip at Melton over 1720m in a 3yo+ on August 1 at $21. Rates highly and expected to be in the finish. | |||
OVERVIEW: HOT DEAL (3) boasts an exceptional record at Mildura having won ten races and he was very sharp at his first up victory over Ultimate Vinnie at Horsham where he finished swiftly from midfield in a mile rate of 1.55.1. He is versatile and should be fitter so he will prove hard to beat again. TOUGH AINT ENOUGH (2) began quickly to find the lead, copped pressure mid-race and kicked on strongly to win in a sizzling mile rate of 1.53.6 at Swan Hill last week. He is drawn to lead again and will take tossing. POWEROFPERSUASION (1) worked hard early then gained a trail mid-race and finished third behind Royal Appointment at Mildura last week. He is a good chance of trailing the leader from the pole position and should go well again. DON LOU (6) was racing in good company in Queensland, FORTY LOVE (7) was placed in the Mildura Cup three starts ago and MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (8) won many races at Mildura last season so it is a quality event.
| 3. Hot Deal (3) J: Corey Johnson 659×1T: Aaron Dunn | |||
| Comes here in the right form. Came home strongly from last on the turn and posted a big 3.5 m win when driven back in the field, (Fr6) held up early, at Horsham (2:01.60) beating Ultimate Vinnie in on July 27 at $10 at the bell was 6th-11.1. Two runs back 9th (Sr3) over 2190m after racing wide at this track, beaten 40 m by My Ultimate Jimmy (2:40.40) on March 27 at $13. Can make it back-to-back wins. | |||
OVERVIEW: KEAYANG CRIPPA (7) pushed forward to race without cover and battled on fairly well for third behind Chalkncheddar at Mildura last week. He has the perfect draw behind the likely leader in GROVE DALE (1) and should be finishing off strongly. HESASTAR (8) settled in seventh and tried to sustain a long run out three horses wide from the 700m when a handy second in the race won by Chalkncheddar last week. He is yet to win in 24 starts for the season but he has been racing in good form against this class and he should be competitive again. EGBERT (6) was held up behind the tiring leader on the home turn and picked up some ground once he gained a clear passage when an unlucky fourth last week. He is poorly drawn but he is capable of filling a place. GROVE DALE (1) performed below expectations last week when he attempted to lead throughout and was headed before the home turn. He is usually competitive in the front running role over the sprint distance so he is a possible improver.
BACK: KEAYANG CRIPPA (7) – 1 unit (each way)
| 7. Keayang Crippa (1) J: Kathy Watson 4×453T: Luke Watson | |||
| Two back was well beaten into fifth behind Megawatts at Swan Hill over 2240m on July 24 at $12. Then a handy effort when well beaten into third behind Chalkncheddar at this track over 1790m on July 31 at $3. Likely to measure up with a cosy trip early on. | |||
OVERVIEW: GOOD BOOTS BINDI (8) produced a very good performance after racing without cover throughout at her latest brave second. She usually performs best when she gains a trail so it was a tidy display and she rates as a value chance. LEWIELEWIS (9) is a smart pacer when racing at his peak form and should be fitter after his latest fifth behind Savon De Roche. He recorded a slick mile of 1.56.3 at a Mildura victory towards the end of his last campaign so he must be respected. GUEST ARTIST (3) began quickly and attempted to find the lead early before angling onto the markers when a creditable fourth at Mildura last week. He should give a forward showing from his good draw. UNITED (2) is racing consistently against this class and is worth thought along with KYORETSU (4), BIGBASHASH (5) and THEBUCKSONYOU (7) in a strong race.
| 8. Good Boots Bindi (2) J: Luke Dunne 24452T: R J Nolan | |||
| Two back was beaten by 6 m finishing fifth behind Nevs Dream at this track over 1790m on July 17 at $6.50. Then a handy effort when beaten by 5.5 m finishing second behind Bandit Eyes at this track over 2190m on July 31 at $8. Big chance to go one better. | |||
OVERVIEW: YOUVE BEEN SERVED (3) settled three back on the markers, came to the outside approaching the home turn and finished off well for a close second behind Capital Avenue at her debut. She should have benefited from the experience and is clearly the horse to beat. SANTA CASA LEVI (5) trailed the leader throughout and didn’t have much room in the straight when second behind the The Ninja last week. He is a fast beginner and is racing consistently so he warrants respect. ALL DONE TARA (2) attempted to lead early, angled in for a trail behind the speed and battled on fairly well for third last week. She is drawn to be close to the speed again and is worth a ticket each way. CAPTIVATE ME (4) was heavily supported, gained a nice trail and held his ground in the straight when third last week. He should be fitter from that run and is not without a chance.
BACK: YOUVE BEEN SERVED (3) – 3 units (win)
| 3. Youve Been Served (3) J: Scott Torney 2T: S M Mcnaulty, J M Mcnaulty | |||
| Three-year-old filly lining up for the second time. At debut good run when 2nd (Fr1) over 2240m at Swan Hill, at the bell was 4th-9.6 beaten a nose by Capital Avenue (2:47.00) on July 24 at $12. Likely improver from a low draw. | |||
OVERVIEW: THE LADYBIRD (3) has been racing well in the South-East and will find this race to be easier. She has won at Mildura previously and is drawn to gain a trail just behind the leaders so she is worth an investment. THE DEVIL ROLLS ON (1) will appreciate his best draw for a long time and didn’t enjoy the best of luck when fifth behind Sneaky Philtra last week. He is better than his numerical form suggests and is a possible improver. DAYLIGHT (8) gained a nice trail and finished off best to win clearly at Mildura on July 17 then finished off well for second behind the in-form mare Sneaky Philtra last week. She has struck peak form and should be finishing off strongly. DIAMOND KRUSHER (2) ran her best race for a long time when she began quickly to find the lead, kicked clear on the turn and was run down at the end on Friday afternoon. She is drawn to find the lead again so she has claims in an open race.
| 3. The Ladybird Nz (3) J: Ellen Tormey 24447T: John Tormey | |||
| Last start 7th (Fr4) over 1690m at Shepparton was 7th-12.33 at the bell, beaten 13 m by Mammals Reason (2:04.70) on July 28 at $4. Before that, was well back in the run when 4th (Fr5) over 1690m at Shepparton was 8th-13.77 at the bell, beaten 12 m by Iamawingate (2:04.00) on July 21 at $7.50. Nicely drawn and can bounce back. | |||
OVERVIEW: HUNGRY HOGARTH (1) attempted to lead throughout when third behind Eyesealittle in a stronger race at Charlton on July 06. He hasn’t been far away at his past two attempts and is a good chance of leading throughout under these conditions. WATCH THE ATTITUDE (4) is a versatile pacer, which is racing in good form and looms as one of the leading chances again. She pushed forward to race without cover and battled on strongly for second behind Yarraman Jolt last week. AMIRA MARIE (10) is a speedy mare, which recorded a slick mile rate of 1.57.0 at a Globe Derby victory on July 13. She performed below expectations when unplaced at Globe Derby on Saturday night but she can sprint to the line quickly with the right trail forward and is worth another chance. CHEERS POVERTY (7) commenced from the inside of the second line, settled four back on the markers and didn’t have much room in the straight when an unlucky fifth last week. He has the perfect trailing draw behind HUNGRY HOGARTH (1) here so he is worth thought in multiple combinations.
BACK: HUNGRY HOGARTH (1) – 3 units (win)
| 1. Hungry Hogarth (1) J: Connor Clarke 27344T: Michael Gadsden | |||
| Last start was driven from back in the field when 4th (Fr6) over 2240m after being wide early at Swan Hill, at the bell was 3rd-5 beaten 6 m by Jet To Heaven (2:45.10) on July 24 at $8.50. Before that, 4th (Fr4) over 2240m at Melton, beaten 3.5 m by Hurrikane Dusty (2:44.30) on July 15 at $13. Encouraging effort last start and is open to further improvement. | |||
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
Race 1 No.1 Starvin Marvin – 1 unit (each way)
Race 4 No.7 Keayang Crippa – 1 unit (each way)
Race 6 No.3 You’ve Been Served – 3 units (win)
Race 8 No.1 Hungry Hogarth – 3 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE (Cost $40, gives 50%)
1,4/ 4,8/ 1,2,3,6,7/ 1,6,7,8
QUADDIE (Cost $35, gives 25%)
2,3,4,5,7,8,9/ 2,3,4,5/ 1,2,3,6,8/ 1
OVERVIEW: STARVIN MARVIN (1) settled in eighth position, came out three horses wide at the 700m and finished off reasonably well for third behind Itz Blackjack last week. He hasn’t had much luck recently and gets his chance to return to winning form from the pole position. SNEAKY PHILTRA (4) has struck peak form having won three of her past four starts and she came from a long way back when an easy winner last week. She is stepping up in class but she is versatile and looms as one of the leading chances again. WHITEHAVEN BEACH (5) settled three back on the markers after commencing from the inside of the second line and held his ground at the end when fifth last week. He finished a close second behind Ronzel Micky prior and was a Mildura winner on July 03 so he is worth another chance. RED HOT MIKI (7) has the perfect trailing draw behind STARVIN MARVIN (1) and will run a good race if he can hold his composure around the first turn.
BACK: STARVIN MARVIN (1) – 1 unit (each way)