One of the most sought after races on the harness racing calendar in New Zealand is the Noel Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park.
It has been won by some great horses over the years and this years contest tonight has drawn a great field of proven Group 1 performers and picking a winner looks very difficult.
Still we here at Harnesslink thought we would give it a go so here is our preview of the Noel Taylor Mile.
1) Messini – Starts: 36 Wins: 15 Secs: 9 Thirds: 2 Stakes: $294,934
Former Kiwi who has come back for this after performing well in Australia.
Dexter hops on board which is a big plus and has enough speed to hold up early which will give Dexter some options.
Just behind two or three here when he raced in New Zealand previously and more of a trifecta and first four player for us than a winning chance.
2) Lancewood Lizzie – Starts: 24 Wins: 11 Secs: 1 Thirds: 2 Stakes: $125,188
Was thrown in the deep end in the Auckland Cup and just went ok against a few she faces here.
Does have gate speed but can't do a lot of work and still be competitive against these at this stage of her career.
Not for us.
3) Mossdale Conner – Starts: 42 Wins: 10 Secs: 11 Thirds: 4 Stakes: $153,611
Bit of a smokey for us as he does have gate speed and can do a bit of work.
Has a really good record over the distance and Maurice Mckendry takes the reins so he ticks a lot of boxes.
Definite trifecta and first four player for us.
4) Border Control – Starts: 43 Wins: 18 Secs: 14 Thirds: 5 Stakes: $532,326
He is the New Zealand record holder for a mile which he set at three and after a average four year old season, Border Control is going great as a five year old and seems to be getting better with every run this campaign.
His last two runs have been super and if he runs up to that form here, then he will be very hard to beat.
A dyed in the wool stayer who won't die wondering.
Big winning chance and include in everything.
5) Isaiah – Starts: 35 Wins: 13 Secs: 5 Thirds: 11 Stakes: $580,522
Was in great form prior to his Australian campaign, beating most of these here more than once.
Very unlucky when third in Chariots Of Fire and his close second to Adore Me the week before over a mile was full of merit.
Loves Alexandra Park and has always performed well here.
Forget his last run at Forbury Park as he didn't handle the track at all.
Major player here and include in all combination bets.
6) Sky Major – Starts: 36 Wins: 13() Secs: 7 Thirds: 5 Stakes: $612,919
Last start winner of The Chariots Of Fire which is great form for this.
However he has had problems since and hasn't raced for nearly seven weeks and still looked short of his best at last weekends workouts at Alexandra Park.
Class will take him a long way but we would have liked for him to have had a run under his belt heading into this.
We think due to his lack of recent racing, Sky Major will likely be driven for luck and try to slingshot them late.
Trifecta and first four player for us due to his lack of recent racing.
7) Tiger Tara – Starts: 32 Wins: 11 Secs: 7 Thirds: 6 Stakes: $393,334
If he had drawn in close then he would have been a big chance but for us the draw of seven is a killer for Tiger Tara.
There is no doubting his toughness and he always gives 100% on raceday but hard from out there to see how he is a major player.
First four chance for us at best.
8) Dalton Bromac – Starts: 15 Wins: 10 Secs: 3 Thirds: 1 Stakes: $96,778
The find of the season in New Zealand and there has been huge wraps on him for some time now.
Has been set for this race and trainer Benny Hill is very happy with his preparation going into this race.
Huge run fresh up against Ohoka Punter two starts back and then won for fun at his next start.
Even from barrier eight we think he can win the race and he is a must include in all combination bets for us.
SECOND LINE
9) Ohoka Punter – Starts: 26 Wins: 15 Secs: 5 Thirds: 4 Stakes: $581,053
Classy horse whose draw could turn out to a blessing or a death blow depending what Dexter does from one.
If Dexter tries to lead all the way then the draw is a big plus but if he takes a trail it could kill Ohoka Punters chances.
Ohoka Punter is a great stayer and they always make great milers as his record over the distance would suggest.
His last run is a slight concern as it was in our view the worst of his career, but back on his home track he must be a major player with any luck in the running.
10) No Doctor Needed – Starts: 21 Wins: 9 Secs: 3 Thirds: 4 Stakes: $100,109
He has come on again at four after showing plenty of promise at three.
Likes to race on the pace but hard to see that happening from the draw though.
Genuine and will give 100% but draw makes it a big ask in our opinion.
Not for us from the draw.
11) Beyond The Silence – Starts: 23 Wins: 8 Secs: 7 Thirds: 2 Stakes: $88,035
Another runner who likes to run on the pace and this draw is the last thing he needed.
For us the draw takes him more or less out of the contest.
From a good draw he would have been a first four player but from out there on the second line we can't see him as a major player.
Not for us
SELECTIONS
We found it impossible to separate Dalton Bromac and Border Control.
They both look cherry ripe for this and for us are the two that stand out.
For trifectas and first four players, throw in Messini, Mossdale Conner, Isaiah, Sky Major and Ohoka Punter.
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