Mildura hosts Tuesday night harness racing with six races on offer. Craig Rail provides a race-by-race preview, tips and quaddies.
OVERVIEW: THE GOLDEN HOOK (3) is racing in outstanding form and should prove hard to beat from his good draw. He worked forward to find the lead and blitzed his rivals at Gawler then followed with a brave second behind Luvtobeuptome in the Mildura Guineas. GOOD BOOTS BINDI (8) went back to last from a wide draw and was making ground before running into a dead-end late when an unlucky fifth behind Royal Saxon at Mildura last outing. She finished a close second behind the smart pacer Lewielewis prior so she will take holding out in the run to the finish. CHEERS POVERTY (2) is a fast beginner and performs best when he is able to lead. He attempted to lead throughout when a close second behind Royal Saxon last outing. STARVIN MARVIN (1) will appreciate his best draw for some time and has claims along with MY ULTIMATE BILLY (9).
BACK: THE GOLDEN HOOK (3) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: THE GOLDEN HOOK (3), GOOD BOOTS BINDI (8), CHEERS POVERTY (2), STARVIN MARVIN (1)
| 3. The Golden Hook (3) J: Jack Laugher 33112 T: N Kerr | |||
| Last start good run when 2nd (Fr6) over 2190m at this track was 2nd-3 at the bell, beaten 13 m by Luvtobeuptome (2:39.40) in 3yo on September 27 at $7.50. Two runs back posted a big 30 m win as favourite when quickly away, (Fr4) at Gawler (2:30.40) beating Always On Safari in on September 14 at $1.08 at the bell was leading 17.2. In the mix again. | |||
OVERVIEW: It is a very open race with many winning chances. FLAME BLASTER (1) is perfectly drawn to suit his racing pattern and won from behind the leader at Mildura on August 21 so he is worth an investment. POTTSY THE GURU (2) hasn’t raced since August 2025 but he put together three straight victories at the end of his last preparation and he wasn’t beaten by far at the trials on Wednesday. He should go well from his good draw. CARLISLE CRUISER (8) was shuffled back on the markers after commencing from the inside of the second line and ran home fairly well for fourth behind Calf Pen last outing. He is worth a ticket each way from his trailing draw. SHES POPPY (11) pushed forward to find the lead from a wide draw and won comfortably on Wednesday. She does perform best when she is close to the speed and being drawn on the second line is a disadvantage but she won well enough last week to warrant respect.
SELECTIONS: FLAME BLASTER (1), POTTSY THE GURU (2), CARLISLE CRUISER (8), SHES POPPY (11)
| 1. Flame Blaster (1) J: Connor Clarke 16335 T: R J Nolan | |||
| Last start was driven from back in the field when 5th (Fr6) over 1790m at this track, at the bell was 8th-18.8 beaten 13 m by Caulonia Terror (2:11.90) on September 18 at $9. Before that, a solid effort when 3rd (Fr2) over 2190m after showing early pace at this track, at the bell was 3rd-4 beaten 9 m by Watch The Attitude (2:43.20) on September 11 at $3.70. Drawn favourably and is worth another chance. | |||
OVERVIEW: MAJOR LINCOLN (8) is yet to miss a place in five starts at Mildura and should run a good race again. He raced without cover throughout when a brave third behind SUNSHINE WARRIOR (9) last outing and he should go close from his trailing draw. SUNSHINE WARRIOR (9) showed very good gate speed to lead, kicked well clear on the home turn and held on to win at Mildura last outing. He drops back to the second line now but this race is no harder so he must be considered as a winning chance again. PUNTO CALIENTE (6) has been finding the line strongly at his most recent performances and is worth thought again. He came from last at his latest eye-catching third behind Keilah. FLEUR BELLA (5) is a fast beginner and her chances will be enhanced if she is able to find the lead around the first turn. HESASTAR (7) was a winner against similar opposition at Mildura on September 18 and has claims with normal luck in running.
BACK: MAJOR LINCOLN (8) – 1.5 units (each way)
SELECTIONS: MAJOR LINCOLN (8), SUNSHINE WARRIOR (9), PUNTO CALIENTE (6), FLEUR BELLA (5)
| 8. Major Lincoln (2) J: Luke Dunne 81213 T: T J Hutchins | |||
| Beaten favourite last start when third at this track on September 27. Scored the start before at Stawell on September 14. Strong winning prospects. | |||
OVERVIEW: GETONTHEBUS (1) boasts reasonable trial form in South Australia and is perfectly drawn for her debut. Trainer Peter Bain boasts a good strike rate at Mildura and GETONTHEBUS (1) is related to the handy Mildura performer Avoca Blues so she is sure to be strongly fancied. FEEFIFOFUM (3) parked without cover throughout and raced greenly when a game third behind Edgar Bromac at his Mildura debut. He has ability and should keep improving with the benefit of racing. PHILS BOY (2) settled midfield and worked home fairly well for sixth behind Miss Adelia on debut. This race is easier and his trial form is respectable so he warrants respect. ELISSAS DELIGHT (9) and CRUEL MISTRESS (11) have place claims and if the emergency LIKE A LIBRARIAN (4) gains a start, she will be competitive.
SELECTIONS: GETONTHEBUS (1), FEEFIFOFUM (3), PHILS BOY (2), ELISSAS DELIGHT (9)
| 1. Getonthebus (1) J: Wayne Hill T: P C Bain | |||
| Two-year-old filly by Stay Hungry out of Soho Moody Blue on debut. Finished second in a trial on September 27 at Gawler over 1609m. Not far away in a recent trial and looks set for a positive start to her career. | |||
OVERVIEW: TO THE NINES (1) left a trailing position to park without cover mid-race and battled on strongly for third behind Gunforhire in fast time at Melton then followed with a close up fourth behind Pick Up Elvis in a strong race. He has returned from a spell in outstanding form and should prove hard to beat from the pole position. PRIORITISE (7) gained a one out and one back trail, came out three horses wide from the 600m and sustained a strong run when second behind My Ultimate Vinny on Wednesday. He is awkwardly drawn but appears to be well placed against this line up and is one of the leading chances again. SANTA CASA BEACH (6) is much better than his form reads and is capable of improving on his numerical form. He was held up badly behind tiring runners and seemed to have plenty in reserve when an unlucky ninth behind Hot Deal last outing. KYORETSU (5) possesses early speed and continues to perform strongly at Mildura so he warrants consideration.
BACK: TO THE NINES (1) – 1.5 units (each way)
SELECTIONS: TO THE NINES (1), PRIORITISE (7), SANTA CASA BEACH (6), KYORETSU (5)
| 1. To The Nines (1) J: Connor Clarke x2534 T: Michael Gadsden | |||
| Last start 4th (Sr2) over 1720m at Melton was 6th-13.76 at the bell, beaten 7 m by Pick Up Elvis (2:) on September 26 at $23. Before that, a good run when 3rd (Sr4) over 2240m at Melton, at the bell was 4th-4.88 beaten 7 m by Gunforhire (2:40.60) on September 19 at $6.50. Should get every chance from this draw. | |||
OVERVIEW: RANKINE (5) was slow to begin then circled around the field to park without cover when a big winner of the Lordship Stakes at Globe Derby when on debut. He overcame a tough run and won with plenty in reserve first up so he appears to have a promising future. SHUDABOUGHTABOAT (4) has joined trainer Robert Nolan since his latest race track appearance back in May. He looked impressive at a recent Mildura trial victory and must be respected. BAZZAS LEGACY (2) set up a genuine tempo in the lead when third behind Bersagliere two starts ago then followed with a distant fourth in the Mildura Guineas. He is perfectly drawn and should give a forward showing. COME ON BILLEE (3) didn’t have much room in the straight when fourth behind MY ULTIMATE HENRY (6) at his latest effort and is a place hope from his good draw.
BACK: RANKINE (5) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: RANKINE (5), SHUDABOUGHTABOAT (4), BAZZAS LEGACY (2), COME ON BILLEE (3)
| 5. Rankine (5) J: Wayne Hill 1 T: P C Bain | |||
| Won on debut posted a big 4.5 m win as favourite (Fr2) at Globe Derby Park (2:16.60) beating Buildthemanastatue in 2yo on September 26 at $1.55. Has ability and strips fitter. | |||
OVERVIEW: ACCELERE (1) led throughout to win over ROJENBYE (5) on September 11 then followed with a third behind Caulonia Terror. He is drawn to lead again and should continue to build on his consistent form line. CAPTAIN PAPRIKA (7) gained a nice trail and battled on fairly well for third behind My Ultimate Henry last outing. He has the perfect trailing draw behind the likely leader and should run a good race again. THE DEVIL ROLLS ON (3) settled in the second half of the field and attempted to sustain a long run from the 700m when third behind Neds Beach last outing. He is better drawn for this assignment and is worth a ticket each way. ROJENBYE (5) was hitting the line strongly at his latest fourth. He has returned to form recently and should be finding the line nicely again. SNEAKY PHILTRA (2) and KEAYANG CRIPPA (6) both have claims in an open race to end the program.
SELECTIONS: ACCELERE (1), CAPTAIN PAPRIKA (7), THE DEVIL ROLLS ON (3), ROJENBYE (5)
| 1. Accelere Nz (1) J: Wayne Hill 32213 T: Frank Mercieca | |||
| Beaten favourite last start when third at this track on September 18. Proved too good the start prior at this track on September 11. Strong contender. | |||
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
Race 1 No.3 My Golden Hook – 2 units (win)
Race 3 No.8 Major Lincoln – 1.5 units (each way)
Race 5 No.1 To The Nines – 1.5 units (each way)
Race 6 No.5 Rankine – 2 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE (Cost $36, gives 25%)
3,8/ 1,2,4,8,10,11/ 5,6,8,9/ 1,2,3
QUADDIE (Cost $36, gives 50%)
1,2,3/ 1,7/ 4,5/ 1,2,3,5,6,7