With the big night of harness racing at Addington tonight we thought we would preview some of the group races.
This preview is of the New Zealand Breeders Stakes
1) The Fascinator – Starts: 30 Wins: 6 Secs: 10 Thirds: 5 Life: $92,380
Honest performer who always gives her best.
Can follow speed so likely to get a good run from barrier one behind the likely leader Venus Serena.
Hard to see her winning the race but a must include for those taking trifectas and first fours.
2) Here We Go Again – Starts: 56 Wins: 9 Secs: 9 Thirds: 9 Life: $162,181
Has had her issues lately and has been out with Bob Butt on the beach for the past fortnight.
Handy mare on her day and for once in one of these mares races she has a good marble.
Hard to see her winning but if the beach has worked its magic, she is more than capable of running in the money.
3) Venus Serena – Starts: 26 Wins: 15() Secs: 1 Thirds: 3 Life: $707,053
Outstanding three year old last season who has had to step out against the likes of Adore Me and Helena Jet at four and has battled a touch albeit from bad draws most of the time.
With those two gone, she is the one they all have to beat now.
Will work to the front and if she can get away with even one cheap quarter, she will be very hard to beat.
Top pick for us
4) Better To Be Bad – Starts: 78 Wins: 10 Secs: 8 Thirds: 5 Life: $94,426
Well performed mare who has won ten races in her career to date.
However in career worst form slump and the runs are getting worst if anything.
Hard to make a case for her to run in four.
Not for us
5) Pemberton Shard – Starts: 56 Wins: 11 Secs: 7 Thirds: 11 Life: $217,164
A tough hard wearing mare who will appreciate the 2600 metres more than most.
Had no luck at Menangle and didn't disgrace herself.
With Dexter in the bike and a handy draw she is a major player here.
Must include for trifecta and first four takers.
6) New Years Jay – Starts: 11 Wins: 7 Secs: 0 Thirds: 0 Life: $38,511
The enigma of the field who on her best behaviour would win the race but can be a bit wayward every now and again.
Has won seven from eleven which is a great record especially due to the four misses includes two disqualifications where she won but ran about in the running and was relegated.
Trialed brilliantly at Gore last week so ready for this and the biggest danger to Venus Serena.
Include in everything.
7) Delightful Dash – Scratched
8) Whyamibettor – Starts: 64 Wins: 5 Secs: 3 Thirds: 6 Life: $39,673
Honest mare who gives 100% every time she steps on to the track
Massive rise in class here to what she has been racing and with the wide draw thrown in we struggle to see her as a first four chance.
Not for us.
9) Sell A Bit – Starts: 30 Wins: 8 Secs: 5 Thirds: 6 Life: $53,390
Right at the top of her game at the moment and a real shame she has drawn out here.
Huge win at Winton last Saturday coming from the outside of the second line to win in 1:54.1
Not out of it from out there as she can work in her races as she showed last week.
Include in trifectas and first fours.
10) Maddison Hill – Starts: 89 Wins: 5 Secs: 11 Thirds: 11 Life: $45,426
Honest mare who has been in good touch in her last couple in her own grade.
Massive rise in class here and hard to see her running in four especially from the draw.
Not for us.
11) Eva Sophnally – Starts: 24 Wins: 4 Secs: 4 Thirds: 4 Life: $31,263
Ultra consistent mare but not against the class she will face tonight.
Can follow speed so that is a plus but some here look to smart.
Draw to get soft run from the second line but outside first four player at best for us.
12) Willow – Starts: 15 Wins: 6 Secs: 3 Thirds: 3 Life: $162,082
But for the draw she would be a big winning chance for us.
Draw makes it difficult but she can really finish over the top of them if held up for one run.
Trialed well at Methven last Saturday and has Natalie in the bike so another tick.
Danger to the favoured pair if she gets a run to suit.
Include in everything.
13) Royal Counsel – Starts: 23 Wins: 5 Secs: 6 Thirds: 3 Life: $73,062
Another mare that if she had drawn well, would have been a huge each way chance.
An out and out stayer who will love the 2600 metres.
Won the Southland Oaks last season over some of these and will be put in the race at some point.
Throw in for trifectas and first fours.
SELECTIONS
From the draw Venus Serena is hard to ignore but is no past the post certainty.
She hasn't looked at her best lately but this field is more to her liking.
New Years Jay and Willow are the big dangers for us with both capable of rolling the favourite with a run to suit.
The Fascinator,Pemberton Shard, Sell A Bit and Royal Counsel for trifectas and first fours.
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