Maryborough Harness Preview – Friday 30th October

OVERVIEW: CASTLES IN THE SKY (5) ran a good race in the leading role when resuming at Horsham, disappointed at her next attempt then followed with a game second at Maryborough. The move to the front line is a definite advantage and she should give a forward showing. BETSY ANNE (6) trailed the leader and battled on fairly well for third behind I’m Miss Royalty at Maryborough last outing. She places more often than she wins but she strikes a very suitable assignment here and should take beating. TOUCHANDGO (7) did well after a slow beginning for third at Maryborough two starts ago then followed with a fourth behind the handy type Keayang Minnesota. He has a tough draw to overcome but is capable of running into a place. MAJOR MAX (3) is a strong trotter, which finished third after finding the front at Kilmore three starts ago. He is drawn to suit his racing pattern and is worth thought.

OVERVIEW: AT THE DISTANCE (2) raced on the outside of the leader throughout and battled on well when a close third at Kilmore two starts ago. He led and galloped after being overtaken approaching the home turn at Maryborough last outing but he is worth another chance under these conditions. JESSICAS STORY (3) performs best when she is able to lead out then take cover so she is perfectly drawn to suit her racing pattern. She was placed at Kilmore on September 24, where she settled three back on the markers and finished well via the sprint lane so she is worth a ticket each way. BUCKLES FOR BERRY (4) is a fast beginner and is a good chance of finding the lead shortly after the start. He endured a tough run when fifth last outing and is capable of improving on his numerical form here. ARGYLE MUSE (7) will appreciate a slight drop back in class for this assignment and finished off well for third at Maryborough on October 12 so he is not without a chance.

OVERVIEW: WALKING ON WATER (6) has been runner up in four of her past five starts and is ready to break through for a win. She moved up without cover in the early stages and did well for second behind Franks Alot at Maryborough on Sunday. SUFFARELL HILL (4) showed a lot of promise in four starts at her first campaign of racing and looms as the danger. She hasn’t been to the trials but she will take plenty of beating if she is somewhere near her peak. SYNTAX ERROR (3) has shown improvement at her past two attempts and was working home well at her latest second behind Wedge Tail Eagle. This race is no harder and she is worth thought again. GYM QUEEN (2) made an early move to circle around and find the lead at the 1600m when a creditable third at Maryborough on Sunday. She is a maiden from 15 starts but she has been placed 9 times and she should be competitive again.

OVERVIEW: CONNECT THE DOTS (1) was resuming since May when she led and gave a great sight in the $75,000 Yabby Dam Farms Classic at Menangle, being beaten on the line. She is ideally drawn over the sprint distance and should take catching. KYVALLEY DAYTONA (10) sprinted quickly in the home straight to defeat KYVALLEY DANNY (2) at a recent Kilmore trial performance. He obviously has ability and must be kept safe. THECANDYBARHEIRESS (6) finished sixth in the Graeme Lang Memorial at Melton last outing, where the winner produced a slick mile rate of 1.57.6. She will find this race to be more suitable and is worth an investment. WHERDASUNDONTSHINE (11) set up a slow tempo in the lead and was beaten on the line at Geelong last outing. He is nicely bred and should continue to improve with the benefit of race experience. NONREMARKABLE (8) never appeared to be comfortable in her gait and eventually galloped on her debut. She was heavily supported first up so she is worth another chance.

OVERVIEW: HAPPY ESCAPE (7) is racing in fine form and should prove hard to beat again. He has been racing on the speed in standing start events and reverts to the mobile start but his past two runner up performances have been behind the smart mare Keayang Minnesota so he appears to be well placed against this class. ALLWATFUNJINGLES (1) settled in the second half of the field and was doing his best work at the end when second behind Beautiful Sunrise at Melton last outing. He places more often than he wins but he should be competitive against this line up. BET BET HOTSHOT (2) should gain a trail just off the pace and has been racing well enough to be competitive under these conditions. RASENGAN (6) is first up since July and hasn’t been to the trials but he was racing against better opposition when he was last in work. He has claims along with MODERN HOPE (8).

BACK: HAPPY ESCAPE (7) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: SONNYBOY (9) performs best when he is able to lead so being drawn on the second line is a disadvantage but he dominated a field of similar quality last week so he is clearly the horse to beat again. KYVALLEY MISTY (5) raced without cover on the outside of SONNYBOY (5) in the final lap last week and did well to hold down second position. She is racing well and should give another honest account from her reasonable draw. ROBERT JOHN (11) is resuming since July and hasn’t been to the trials but he was competing strongly at the end of his last campaign and he should be finishing off well if he is somewhere near his peak form. LOVE WHO (8) is awkwardly drawn but was a winner under similar conditions at Shepparton on August 18 and has the speed to figure in the finish. CHILLHUNNYBUNNY (4) and NEDZA THRILLER (6) are both performing well enough to be worth thought in an open race.

OVERVIEW: BUSLIN BRODY (8) raced without cover for the majority of the trip and battled on well for third behind Kennys Son in a stronger race at Melton on Saturday night. He couldn’t have drawn worse but he is racing well enough to break through for a win under these conditions. OMNIA (5) led and faded into tenth at Maryborough on Sunday but she was meeting a much stronger field and raced fiercely in the early and middle stages. She appears to be better placed under these conditions and is worth another chance. DEEJAY DEX (9) hasn’t won a race since September 2024 but he has been placed in three of his past five starts and he did pick up ground from last at his latest creditable sixth. RASTAMON (7) trailed the leader and had his chance when a distant fifth in the race won by Kennys Son last week but he has early speed and this race is easier so he is capable of featuring prominently.

OVERVIEW: ITZ CLASSIC GOLD (1) is likely to be headed off at the start from the pole position but he will appreciate a big drop back in class for this assignment. He won the Super Series Bronze event in September, competed in the Need for Speed Prince series and he broke stride from the 1100m at his latest performance in the Scotch Notch Trot. He is a speedy type and will take holding out in the run to the finish. PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN (3) is a brilliant beginner and is likely to try and lead throughout over the sprint distance. He led when second behind Majestic Monarch at Kilmore two starts ago. ALDEBARAN JAZMINE (4) didn’t shirk the task when a creditable sixth in the Victoria Oaks last outing. This race is easier and a bold showing is expected. JOE LOU (9) broke stride and lost all chance last outing but he had four wins and two seconds at his previous six attempts. He is a strong 4yo trotter and will take beating if he delivers a fool proof display. SHEZALOVER (7) ran a cheeky race in the leading role when resuming and has claims along with DONA AMALIA (8).

BACK: ITZ CLASSIC GOLD (1) – 1 unit (each way)

OVERVIEW: SHINELIKETHESUN (2) was checked and galloped at the start, settled a clear last and produced a big performance to finish second behind Miss Muscle (won again since) at Geelong then lost her chance after galloping at the 400m last outing. She is nicely drawn and will take beating against this line up. TAURAS (6) produced a dominant performance when a runaway winner at Horsham then followed with a third behind Miss Muscle. He continues to improve with the benefit of experience and looms as one of the leading chances again. ASONGOFTHEHEART (8) gained a nice trail behind the leader and got up to defeat WEDGE TAIL EAGLE (5) at Ballarat then took on a strong field in the Scotch Notch Trot. He should gain an economical run from the trailing draw and is worth an investment. FIRST IN FLIGHT (4), WEDGE TAIL EAGLE (5) and WHITERING (7) are all capable of showing up without surprising.

BACK: SHINELIKETHESUN – 1.5 units (each way)