Terang Harness Preview – Sunday 30th August

OVERVIEW: GUNFORHIRE (10) appears very well placed with the concession claim and back to a suitable grade after racing well up in class at headquarters. His performances there against quality opposition have been very good, including a strong finishing second behind a smart one, running strong sectionals to the line. He has a very good strike rate at this track, and there looks to be plenty of early speed for him to unleash his customary fast finish.

STARZINHEREYES (6) is also coming back to a suitable grade, having bumped into a couple of smart ones running time in her past two at Melton. Prior to that, she was racing well in QLD and now returns to her former stable. She has blistering gate speed and can lead and give plenty of cheek. GOLD IN PARIS (3) steps up in grade, but she’s been racing very well, particularly when racing in front last time and giving a good kick. The map looks a little different here, but she deserves consideration. There are a few worth keeping safe for the minor prizes. EYENEEDTHAT (1) was poor first-up as favourite, but the soft draw and added fitness can bring improvement. ALLGOOD VINNIE (5) has speed, and his best form has him in the mix, RANGER RICK (8) is better than his recent form suggests.

BACK: GUNFORHIRE (10) – 2.5 units (win)

OVERVIEW: Many of these crossed paths last week at Ararat, but I’m steering away from that form and looking to the first-up MUFASA BART (6). He’s been well travelled over his racing career and lightly raced over the past couple of seasons, but when he’s found the racetrack, he’s shown ability. His last-start second at Wagga was very good, and he has been freshened and trialled well since.

MISSMALACHITE (9) won the stronger of those two races from last week; however, she now goes to the back row after leading from an inside front-row draw last week. She’s going well enough for this grade. THE REGULATOR (8) is another whose slightly different form appeals, having won twice this season from seven attempts, although he has a tricky draw to overcome. DOCTOR GO JOH (7) was able to lead all the way from this gate last week and performed strongly. It’s just uncertain whether he will get the same favours this time around, but he must be kept safe. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of the others snuck into the minor money, as it will come down to luck in running.

OVERVIEW: Terrific race with several runners possessing metropolitan-quality form. ALWAYS BE BLAKEY (5) was back to his best in winning last time at Melton, thanks to an exceptional drive from Herbertson, where he was able to lead and win. Furthermore, he looked a different horse racing on the pegs. He has the early speed to potentially do the same again here, and if he backs that performance up, he will be hard to beat.

SWEET IDEAL (8) will be the beneficiary if the front line decides to overcook things, as she’s a fast mare with a very good turn of foot. She’s had a freshen-up since her win at Menangle, where she was way too good for her rivals when everything worked out perfectly. She’s classy and commands respect. ULTIMATE VINNIE (7) won’t know himself in this class, having consistently raced in FFA company. His most recent try at this level was two starts back, where he ran a good second. He’s a real threat, although the draw is tricky. ROADMASTER (6) is first-up in eight months, but he’s a very smart 6yo who has often raced against A-Grade opposition. He’s had two good trials leading into this, and whilst fitness is to come, he must be kept safe. The remaining unmentioned runners have claims, especially BOULEVARD BART (2), who is a progressive 4yo but takes on different gravy here.

TACTICALLY PERFECT (4) is a 3yo filly with the powerful Lee stable, resuming off a short break after showing great promise last preparation, winning in good time at Melton and recording a solid second behind a smart one. She’s had two trials leading into this, including last time out when she beat horses with much stronger exposed form. She’s not blessed with gate speed, so the map is a little uncertain, but her class gives her more upside than most.

OUT TO STAY (9) was slightly better last time in what may stack up to be a decent form race when third. He has been costly this preparation but respect the stable to have him on an upward spiral. MUSELET (8) is never too far away, particularly from inside draws, which he gets here, and this looks significantly easier than what he’s been facing lately. He’ll need luck but is in the mix. EASTBRO KOZZY (7) ran well at Ararat last week from the inside draw in a stronger race. The draw is sticky here, but you have the right driver to overcome that.

BACK: TACTICALLY PERFECT (4) – 4 units (win)

OVERVIEW: KYVALLEY MISTY (3) will no doubt have admirers based on the astute trainer/driver combination alone and her short SP profile, but she is an enigmatic type who’s hard to trust. However, this looks suitable. She was a winner last start when leading under mobile conditions in an easier race, so if she holds that form, she will take catching.

OFF YOUR FACESKI (8) faces a task from the handicap and isn’t the most reliable beginner; however, his form this season is more positive than most here, winning 7 of 14. He has won under standing-start conditions, so it’s not a total risk having him high in calculations. In saying that, your confidence will grow dramatically if you see him trotting after 300m. JAKARTA (5) wasn’t at his best last time out, but his best form keeps him in calculations against this line-up. He was a winner back in July from a similar handicap, and if he brings that form, he’s right in it. BROWN EYED KATE (4) seems to be a trustworthy beginner away from the tapes, which is a big advantage in this line-up. She has been a little plain her past few, but her manners will carry her a long way.

OVERVIEW: EMJAY JAZZ (2) ticks a few boxes in a race with limited form lines. She’s one of only two horses to win a race this season, drops out of a tougher race at Melton and boasts arguably the best strike rate. She’s a mare who possesses good early gate speed, and if she can control the race from the front, she can be hard to catch.

YANKEE RAIN (3) has her second run for the new stable and was a little inconclusive from the tricky draw last week. Drawn to map better here, she’s worth another chance. THE BLAZINBOOTS (5) isn’t racing as well as he can; however, this race appears more suitable than what he’s been exposed to in four runs this preparation. JILLIBY KYMY LOU (4) is from the top stable but doesn’t possess the ability that most others from the camp bring to the races. She is a quick beginner, so potentially her map and a drop in class could open her up to improvement. PRESIDENTIALCHANGE (1) was good in winning last week, but he drew the pole to lead there, and this sets up very differently.

OVERVIEW: Tricky affair, mixing 2yo and 3yo form along with trials that are a little difficult to line up against the exposed race form. Starting with the trials, JILLIBY STRANGER (1) is a 2yo who found the line best in a recent Terang outing, while stablemate and 3yo KEAYANG MARICRUZ (2) went across the line with MIDNIGHT FEAST (3). The one to take out of the trial was JILLIBY STRANGER (1).

Of those with exposed form, DEVERAUX (4) and MIKI SHADOW (5) are both last-start winners, with DEVERAUX (4) the more impressive of the pair, both to the eye and on the clock. BANGBANG BOBBIE (7) has had market respect at his two starts but probably needs to improve on what he’s shown so far. Looking at how the map may play out, JILLIBY STRANGER (1) showed reasonable speed and may look to hold up from that draw, whilst the others may all look to duck to the peg line. I’ll lean to DEVERAUX (4) on the strength of the time he’s already recorded under race conditions, which these may struggle to match.

OVERVIEW: KEAYANG GYPSY (8) was backed off the map last start at Melton but was costly to punters, galloping away from the mobile and losing all chance. Her two runs prior, back from a break, were very good, winning first-up and then brave second-up when forced to work on a decent pace. Standing-start conditions have been favourable for her in the past, winning twice from six attempts. With a safe beginning, her form is good enough to overhaul these despite the handicap.

KEAYANG LAVITA (5) has plenty of ability, but she’s been her own worst enemy, either underperforming or breaking in running, mostly in quality grade at Melton this season. You must go back to November last year for her last win, and prior to that she was building a nice record. She’s trialled well leading into this, and it’s only a matter of time before she cleans up her act and bounces back. KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (3) doesn’t have the ability of her two stablemates, but unfortunately, she too has been a bit wayward with her manners. When she gets it right, she’s pretty good, so is worth keeping safe. EL CONQUEROR (6) led and had every hope last start, but he does seem to like the tapes, so if the others wipe themselves out, his manners can carry him a long way.

BACK: KEAYANG GYPSY (8) – 3.5 units (win)