One of the best fields on the the big night of harness racing at Addington tonight is the New Zealand Trotting Championship which has drawn together probably the best field for an open class trot all season.
This is our runner by runner preview for the New Zealand Trotting Championship.
1) Valmagne – Starts: 60 Wins: 8 Secs: 10 Thirds: 8 Life: $78,468
Was in great form earlier in the season but has only had one run back from a break to get ready for this.
Blew out on the grass at Oamaru where he started off 50 metres so there is a nagging doubt about whether he is ready for this.
Draw is a big plus but lack of race fitness means we struggle to see him as a first four player.
2) Kincaslough – Starts: 29 Wins: 10 Secs: 3 Thirds: 3 Life: $121,336
Her last start at Auckland was her worst run this season and that came after she had jumped a shadow at her previous start at Alexandra Park.
Just starting to worry that the big season she has had to date is starting to catch up with her.
Does have gate speed so may get to the markers first and secure the trail behind Stent who will lead from barrier three.
With that kind of run she becomes a trifecta and first four chance.
3) Stent – Starts: 57 Wins: 26 Secs: 15 Thirds: 5 Life: $965,155
In the form of his life at the moment and looking to become a millionaire tonight.
Will work to the lead and very hard to beat from there.
Not unbeatable however as 2600 metres is not his best distance and he comes back to the chasing pack a bit the longer the race distance.
Top pick but will be challenged by a couple here.
4) Sheemon – Starts: 52 Wins: 15 Secs: 17 Thirds: 9 Life: $413,828
Took a while to hit form in Australia but very unlucky in the Southern Star final where he was denied a run in the straight.
Won't beat Stent out of the gate but will still look to go forward and get a run close to the pace and hope there is plenty of pressure up front which we think there will be.
With Dexter in the bike he is a must have for all combination bets.
5) Alley Way – Starts: 39 Wins: 11 Secs: 9 Thirds: 3 Life: $85,161
Is right in the zone at the moment but this is his biggest test to date.
Everything points to him being very competitive here and he is not out of this by any means.
We don't think he can win the race tonight but with a run to suit he can be a trifecta and first four chance at good odds.
6) King Denny – Starts: 19 Wins: 9 Secs: 3 Thirds: 0 Life: $195,302
His last three wins have all been outstanding after being very slow away from the standing start on every occasion.
The mobile start is a huge plus for him and he is right in this race due to that.
He does not have the speed of Stent but he is a wonderful stayer and we think he will try to turn it into a staying test.
The big danger to the favourite.
7) Prime Power – Starts: 34 Wins: 14 Secs: 6 Thirds: 6 Life: $214,969
No luck last week at Addington so disregard that run when assessing his chances here.
Previous run at Auckland was huge and has been going great guns all season prior to last week.
Boring pole goes on this week which will correct last weeks problem and we think he is one of the big players here.
Include in all combinations
8) One Over Da Moon – Starts: 30 Wins: 11 Secs: 3 Thirds: 2 Life: $175,505
Only had his first run for seven months last Friday and blew out the last bit as you would expect.
Still went a mighty race but it is another big step up this week.
Draw and lack of racing means we struggle to see him in four.
9) King Of Strathfield – Starts: 113 Wins: 21 Secs: 19 Thirds: 14 Life: $258,097
Since his move out to the beach with Robert Dunn he has started to turn his form around.
He has always raced better away from the real elite trotters and that coupled with the draw means we can't see him in four.
Not for us.
SECOND LINE
10) Vulcan – Starts: 96 Wins: 20 Secs: 12 Thirds: 8 Life: $1,004,369
When he first went out to the beach, he looked like his old self for four or five starts.
Now he just looks like he is going through the motions to us.
Draw means he could end up three or four back on the inner and we struggle to see how he could be a first four player from there.
Not for us.
11) Master Lavros – Starts: 37 Wins: 15 Secs: 4 Thirds: 2 Life: $359,046
The enigma of the field for sure but there is no denying the talent.
Broke last week from the stand but trotted the best we have seen him trot this season after his early gallop.
At his best he would trouble all of them here and if he trots like he did last week, he is a player here.
Include in all combinations.
12) Clover Don – Starts: 86 Wins: 23 Secs: 12 Thirds: 12 Life: $285,870
Forget last week form the stand but the problem he has here is he likes to lead in his races and that ain't happening here.
Can over race in the field and that along with the draw makes this too hard in our opinion.
Not for us.
13) Jaccka Justy – Starts: 54 Wins: 13 Secs: 3 Thirds: 4 Life: $232,163
Very talented on his day but you never really know which Jaccka Justy is going to turn up.
After trialing brilliantly leading into last week, he went very average last Friday night.
Just as likely to turn that form around here when you least expect it but from the draw and going by last weeks run we can't see him as a first four player.
Not for us.
14) Springbank Sam – Starts: 60 Wins: 17 Secs: 8 Thirds: 7 Life: $282,913
Has been in good form most of the season but at a level away from the real elite trotters.
At his peak he would have been a major player here but he just seems to have lost a length this season to us.
Has the master Phil Williamson in the bike but the draw and the field mean we struggle to see him as a first four player.
SELECTIONS
Stent is the obvious choice here and the way he went in Australia shows he is right in the zone at the moment.
However we still reckon that King Denny will give him plenty to think about tonight.
The dangers to this pair for us are the class horses in the field in Sheemon, Prime Power and Master Lavros.
Throw in Kincaslough and Alley Way to bolster up those first fours.
Harnesslink Media