Hunter Cup night is Victoria’s biggest harness racing meeting and one of Australia’s major racedays.
Our Aussie correspondent ADAM HAMILTON casts his eye over the major races at Melton on Saturday night.
HUNTER CUP – RACE 8
Going with LENNYTHESHARK (13) at the better value than SMOLDA (9). One of the two should win. Thought Lenny savaged the line well in last 50m at Ballarat and will strip a lot fitter. Will be a fascinating tactical battle with both drawn the back row. BLING IT ON (5) is the other class runner. Strong effort when did plenty of work for third in Vic Cup last week. Next best is the much-improved ALLBLACK STRIDE (3) who smashed the clock in Vic Cup when fifth. Has the speed to use good draw. HUG THE WIND (11) is a blowout chance on his strong recent NZ form.
SUGGESTED BET: Lennytheshark (13) to win at $3.80 or better
VICTORIA DERBY – RACE 4
Not even the worst possible draw (gate eight) stops me thinking VINCENT (8) will just win. You’d never see a more impressive Derby heat winner than him last week. He’ll have to earn it from draw as it’s likely he will snag right back and settle a mile from the leaders. Looks a star. WRAPPERS DELIGHT (1) is a big improver and had no luck last week. Main danger from pole. OUR LITTLE GENERAL (2) will be fitter for first-up run last week and drawn to use his early speed. MOTU METEOR (12) and BE JACKS LEGEND (10) won their heats and have claims despite back row.
SUGGESTED BET: Vincent to win is $1.60 or better
GREAT SOUTHERN STAR – RACE 6
Going for a blowout with WA trotter CARDIGAN BOKO (4) at big odds. Top run from impossible position last week and drawn to use his gate speed this time. Worth an each-way ticket. Defending champ SPEEDING SPUR (5) is the one to beat, but has to be some query on his fitness after just one (terrific) run back from injury and long spell. Can’t take odds-on. ON THUNDER ROAD (2) was always in trouble crossed from the pole last week. Big threat from more suitable draw. QUITE A MOMENT (11), GREAT THINGS HAPPEN (10) and SUNNY RUBY (13) have claims with any luck from back row.
SUGGESTED BET: Cardigan Boko each-way at $12 or better
LADYSHIP CUP – RACE 3
IMPOSSIBLE to tip against Mark Purdon’s A PICCADILLY PRINCESS (4). No luck in last two Perth runs, then won both Victorian runs, albeit in slightly easier grade, in style and running times. Drawn well, should be too good. BERISARI (5) is a tough and class mare. Suited here, the main threat. ROCKER BAND (7) blasted through along the inside to win a weaker race here last week. Draw hurts, but has the class. MILLY PEREZ (11) is flying, but outside back row over 1720m makes it hard.
SUGGESTED BET: A Piccadilly Princess to win if $1.60 or better
4YO BONANZA – RACE 9
Non contest – it’s all LAZARUS (2) back against his own age. Only interest in the times and margins. THREE WAYS (8) ran second to Lazarus in the Victoria Derby at this meeting last year and continued to improve since. Needs luck from inside back row, but is second-best horse in the race. BRALLOS PASS (9) ran a huge second to Three Ways here then disappointed at Menangle last week. Place chance on best form. Place hopes also to ROCK OF AMERICA (1) and BATTLE BORN (4).
SUGGESTED BET: Brallos Pass the place at $2.80 or better
SUMMARY
BEST BET: R5 n11 Hughie Green – loved his massive second on debut for new trainer-driver John Cremin at Ballarat last Friday. Looks well graded despite outside back row draw. Like him at $2.20 or better
BEST VALUE: R7 n1 Glenferrie Burn – nice trotter who can cause the minor upset over High Gait. Hoping for $3.50 or better
BEST ROUGHIE: R6 n4 Cardigan Boko – as outlined above
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