Mildura hosts Tuesday night harness racing with 10 races on offer. Craig Rail provides a race-by-race preview, tips and quaddies.
OVERVIEW: HOOKLINEANDSINKER (2) has improved with every start since returning from a spell and worked forward to find the lead when he scored at Globe Derby last outing. He is drawn to lead again and should take catching over the sprint distance. CALF PEN (6) has returned to his peak form having been placed at his past four attempts. He worked hard when second at Mildura two starts ago then followed with a third against a strong line up at Horsham. ALWAYS ON SAFARI (5) is a fast beginner and has been racing well enough to feature prominently. He held his own after having an economical run at his latest third in South Australia. LOWER MANHATTAN (11) was placed twice in succession prior striking trouble at Globe Derby last outing. He is poorly drawn but should be finding the line well
SELECTIONS: HOOKLINEANDSINKER (2), CALF PEN (6), ALWAYS ON SAFARI (5), LOWER MANHATTAN (11)
| 2. Hooklineandsinker (2) x9721 | |||
| Last start won by 2.25 m after showing early speed, (Fr5) at Globe Derby Park (2:13.30) beating Perfect Playgirl in on October 7 at $3.20 at the bell was leading 4. Racing well and must be considered. | |||
OVERVIEW: BETTORBUST (10) is a smart juvenile that should strip fitter from his first up fourth at Wagga, where he raced greenly in the early stages and eventually took cover behind the leader. He performed extremely well at the trials prior and he appears to be well suited against this line up. SNEAKY PHILTRA (9) returned to her peak form when she sprinted home best to win over ACCELERE (6) and CAPTAIN PAPRIKA (2) at Mildura last outing. She is awkwardly drawn but should be finding the line strongly again. CAPTAIN PAPRIKA (2) performs best when he is able to lead and finally gains the right draw to obtain a prominent position so he is worth an investment. MY ULTIMATE HENRY (1) delivered a career best performance to win at Mildura last outing and is drawn to receive the perfect trip so he must be respected.
BACK: BETTORBUST (10) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: BETTORBUST (10), SNEAKY PHILTRA (9), CAPTAIN PAPRIKA (2), MY ULTIMATE HENRY (1)
| 10. Bettorbust (4) 10×4 | |||
| Resumed when beaten 16 m fourth but did show some early speed, behind Teddy Lou at Riverina Paceway over 1740m in a 2yo on October 9. Watch for a big spike in form. | |||
OVERVIEW: SHEER ME (3) pushed forward to find the lead and won comfortably at Kilmore then followed with an unplaced run against a strong field at Wagga. She should give a bold showing from her good draw at her Mildura debut. SURETHING (4) is resuming since a Mildura victory back in June and hasn’t been to the trials. She is a nicely bred filly and has the ability to figure in the finish. LIKE A LIBRARIAN (1) will appreciate her best draw for a long time and is a possible improver. YOU’VE BEEN SERVED (7) enjoyed a nice trip and battled on well for second at Swan Hill on Thursday. He has had two starts at Mildura for a win and a second and he should go well again.
SELECTIONS: SHEER ME (3), SURETHING (4), LIKE A LIBRARIAN (1), YOU’VE BEEN SERVED (7)
| 3. Sheer Me (3) 43218 | |||
| Failed to impress last start; 8th (Fr2) over 1740m at Riverina Paceway beaten 21 m by Our Ultimate Jane (2:02.30) in M on October 9 at $14. Showed ability the run before when she tracked on the speed and boxed on steadily; posted a big 3.5 m win as favourite (Fr3) at Kilmore (2:03.50) beating Mystic Motiver in 4yo+ on September 30 at $1.40 at the bell was 2nd-0.82. Sure to be there at the business end. | |||
OVERVIEW: MY ULTIMATE JIMMY (6) began quickly and pushed forward to find the lead when he won comfortably at his first run since June. All of his ten career victories have been at Mildura and he is the class runner of the field so he can overcome the poor draw. LETSGO BIG GIRL (2) performs best when she is able to lead over the sprint distance so she has the conditions to suit her here. She finished off solidly from the second half of the field when a close third at her latest Mildura performance. DALLAS MIKI (5) is resuming since a third at Mildura in July but he led throughout at a recent trial success. He is very strong and likes to roll along at a genuine tempo so he is sure to make his presence felt. PRIORITISE (8) endured a tough run when a creditable fourth behind Wipeout at Mildura after a second behind My Ultimate Jimmy. He is worth thought along with DEMON BLUE (7), which is making his local debut.
SELECTIONS: MY ULTIMATE JIMMY (6), LETSGO BIG GIRL (2), DALLAS MIKI (5), PRIORITISE (8)
| 6. My Ultimate Jimmy Nz (6) 924×1 | |||
| Last start won by 3 m as favourite when quickly away, (Fr4) at this track (2:41.60) beating Prioritise in on September 30 at $2.90 at the bell was leading 4.8. Can make it back-to-back wins. | |||
OVERVIEW: THE GOLDEN HOOK (7) is racing in outstanding form and looms as the horse to beat again despite the awkward draw. He won by nearly 30m at Gawler, fought very hard when second in the Mildura Guineas then scored comfortably at Mildura last outing. LISTEN TO THE HAND (3) led throughout in two victories at Mildura and Gawler prior to an unplaced effort in the Mildura Guineas. He disappointed last time out but is capable of better and should give a forward showing. FOXY TWO GLOVES (4) is resuming since a sixth behind Dallas Miki in March. She was racing against much tougher opposition when she was last in work so she is capable of featuring prominently if she is somewhere near her peak. MIDNIGHT PIRATE (5) led out then took cover when second behind THE GOLDEN HOOK (7) last outing. He might not be able to get across to the markers from his awkward draw here but he is racing well enough to be competitive.
BACK: THE GOLDEN HOOK (7) – 3 units (win)
SELECTIONS: THE GOLDEN HOOK (7), LISTEN TO THE HAND (3), FOXY TWO GLOVES (4), MIDNIGHT PIRATE (5)
| 7. The Golden Hook (1) 31121 | |||
| Racing in great heart. Last start won by 3 m as favourite (Fr3) at this track (2:41.50) beating Midnight Pirate in on October 6 at $1.20 at the bell was leading 2.6. One of the primary contenders. | |||
OVERVIEW: YARRAMAN JOLT (3) is a speedy pacer, which has performed well in two Mildura attempts, which has yielded a win and a third. He is ideally drawn for this assignment and should give a bold showing. MY ULTIMATE BILLY (7) hasn’t won a race since March 2024 but he is better than that statistic suggests and appears to be well graded in this event so he is not without a chance. ROYAL SAXON (8) scored after trailing the leader two starts ago then was caught behind tiring runners at his latest sixth. He prefers to race close to the pace so being drawn on the second line is a disadvantage but he is likely to be strongly fancied. SHES POPPY (4) is rising in class on her latest good performances but she is fast beginner and is drawn to be prominent throughout.
SELECTIONS: YARRAMAN JOLT (3), MY ULTIMATE JIMMY (7), ROYAL SAXON (8), SHES POPPY (4)
| 3. Yarraman Jolt (3) 16193 | |||
| Improved last start with a good run when 3rd (Sr1) over 2190m at this track, at the bell was 4th-6.8 beaten 7 m by Cheers Poverty (2:42.20) on September 11 at $3.50. Has a low draw and will go well again. | |||
OVERVIEW: THE END (7) is a nicely bred colt, which has shown a lot of ability at the trials and strikes a very suitable assignment first up. He won at his latest trial appearance over the smart filly Sabalenka at Shepparton. LATHER WITH FIRE (4) wasn’t beaten by far at her first two Mildura appearances prior to her latest two efforts in the South-East. She appears to be better suited under these conditions and is worth thought. MISS CULLEN (3) ran a better race after trailing the leader at Mildura last outing and is a good chance of finding the same position from her good draw so she must be considered as a place chance again. FEARLESS SNIPER (5) should have benefited from her first up performance at Swan Hill, where he finished eighth but didn’t perform badly and is not without a chance. SANTA CASA LEVI (6) is resuming from a spell and hasn’t been to the trials but she is a speedy type and is worth thought in multiple combinations.
BACK: THE END (7) – 3 units (win)
SELECTIONS: THE END (7), LATHER WITH FIRE (4), MISS CULLEN (3), FEARLESS SNIPER (5)
| 7. The End (1) | |||
| Two-year-old colt by Guaranteed out of Weeks End having his first start. Won a trial on September 17 at Shepparton over 1690m. Recent trial winner who is expected to measure up. | |||
OVERVIEW: EAGLEYE (7) settled midfield and made ground out wide on the track when third behind Bettor Doo at Shepparton last outing. She was placed behind Soho Amaryllis in a much stronger race at Melton on September 18 so she appears to be hard to beat against this line up. FLEUR BELLA (3) raced without cover throughout, pulled hard and produced a big performance to win at Mildura last outing. She was impressive last time and will take plenty of catching if she is able to find the lead. SUNSHINE WARRIOR (5) led throughout to score at Mildura on September 27. He was safely held behind FLEUR BELLA (3) at his latest attempt but he is worth another chance. BIG BAD CHAD (2) is resuming since July but he was able to win a trial at Mildura recently and performs best when he is close to the speed so he cannot be discarded.
SELECTIONS: EAGLEYE (7), FLEUR BELLA (3), SUNSHINE WARRIOR (5), BIG BAD CHAD (2)
| 7. Eagleye (1) 16283 | |||
| Improved last start with a solid effort when 3rd (Sr2) over 1690m at Shepparton was 5th-10.5 at the bell, beaten 4 m by Bettor Doo (2:05.50) on October 6 at $2.40. Looks very hard to beat. | |||
OVERVIEW: KEAYANG CRIPPA (6) has been promising a win for some time and will be aided by the small field of seven runners so he must be considered as one of the leading chances. He attempted to lead throughout when second behind the South Australian pacer Keilah two starts ago then got a long way back from a similar bad draw at his latest appearance. HESASTAR (7) was able to lead throughout at Mildura three starts ago and this race is of similar standard. He is likely to make a move once the pace slackens during the middle stages and is worth an investment. BOHEMIAN BRAIDS (5) is a fast beginner and will appreciate a drop back in class for this assignment. He was runner up at Swan Hill on Thursday after leading out then taking cover and should give a forward showing under these conditions. DIAMOND KRUSHER (4) led throughout at a Mildura victory four starts ago and is not without a chance from her reasonable draw.
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG CRIPPA (6), HESASTAR (7), BOHEMIAN BRAIDS (5), DIAMOND KRUSHER (4)
| 6. Keayang Crippa (6) 33625 | |||
| Last start was well back in the run when 5th (Fr6) over 2190m at this track was 7th-14.6 at the bell, beaten 12 m by Sneaky Philtra (2:45.60) on October 6 at $26. At the run before game effort when 2nd (Fr4) over 1790m after showing early speed at this track was leading by 3 at the bell, beaten 3 m by Keilah (2:13.50) on September 27 at $4.80. Can bounce back to best form. | |||
OVERVIEW: PHILS BOY (3) was left stranded without cover and battled on well for third behind Feefifofum at Mildura last outing, beating most of tonight’s rivals in the process. He appears to be well placed against this line up and gets his chance to break through for a win. LITLMAX (1) is a first starter for trainer Brendan Tune, which scored in slow time at a recent Mildura trial effort. He is ideally drawn first up and should receive every chance. CHEDDAR CHEESE (2) was resuming since July and making his Mildura debut when fourth to Edgar Bromac last outing. He should have benefited from that performance and should give a forward showing. CRUEL MISTRESS (7) was placed from behind the leader at Mildura on August 21 and has the perfect trailing draw so she is a minor place chance again. She did run a reasonable race when fourth at Swan Hill on Thursday.
BACK: PHILS BOY (3) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: PHILS BOY (3), LITLMAX (1), CHEDDAR CHEESE (2), CRUEL MISTRESS (7)
| 3. Phils Boy (3) 63 | |||
| Improved last start with a solid effort when 3rd (Fr2) over 1790m at this track was 2nd-3.6 at the bell, beaten 19 m by Feefifofum (2:13.40) on October 6 at $8.50. Can retain the good form. | |||
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
Race 2 No.10 Bettorbust – 2 units (win)
Race 5 No.7 The Golden Hook – 3 units (win)
Race 7 No.7 The End – 3 units (win)
Race 10 No.3 Phils Boy – 2 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE (Cost $50, gives 50%)
2,4,5,6,11/ 1,2,3,9,10/ 3,4/ 2,6
QUADDIE (Cost $32)
3,4,5,7/ 3,4,7,8/ 7/ 3,7