With the four Group 1 races at tonight's harness racing meeting at Alexandra Park, we here at Harnesslink decided to do a runner by runner preview of all the Group races.
This is our preview of this years Rowe Cup
1) Springbank Sam – Starts: 63 Wins: 17 Secs: 8 Thirds: 8 Life: $287,036
Back to a stand this week which he is much more comfortable with.
Placed second in this two years ago and has a great record over 3200 metres.
Has been in good touch in his last few starts and we like him as a first four chance.
2) Alley Way – Starts: 42 Wins: 11 Secs: 10 Thirds: 3 Life: $90,124
Up and comer who had no chance from the draw last week.
Can really fly the standing start and looks the early leader and from there will hand up to one of the favourites which makes him a legitimate trifecta and first four player.
Driver very confident he can be in it so don't discard.
3) Stent – Starts: 59 Wins: 27 Secs: 16 Thirds: 5 Life: $1,027,413
The best trotter in Australasia who deserves to be favourite here but there are several little question marks in this race.
This will be his first standing start for nearly five months so that is a worry and of course this race is over 3200 metres which is the distance at which he is most vulnerable.
Class and a great driver in Colin De Filippi will get him a long way but no past the post certainty.
Include in everything.
4) King Denny – Starts: 21 Wins: 9 Secs: 3 Thirds: 0 Life: $202,499
Has really come of age on this campaign and his run last week after being used early was huge.
The distance is right up his alley but the issue here is his poor standing start manners.
He has yet to go away with the field this time in although he has got better in this respect and is not losing as much ground as he was.
Needs to go away with them to be a winning chance so we only have him in as a trifecta and first four player.
5) Mum's Pride – Starts: 11 Wins: 8 Secs: 1 Thirds: 0 Life: $95,901
The find of the season in the trotting ranks but this is his biggest test to date by far.
Has great standing start manners which is a big plus here but with only 11 starts lifetime one does worry about the ringcraft a bit.
James Stormont is not afraid to be aggressive as a driver but we still think this horse is twelve months away from reaching his peak.
Trifecta and first four chance for us.
6) Master Lavros – Starts: 39 Wins: 15 Secs: 5 Thirds: 3 Life: $379,154
Last years winner of this race who has been in the wilderness since that win.
Trotting the best that we have seen him in his whole career in this campaign and looks to be enjoying his racing again.
Can be a bit hit or miss from a stand but we think in his present frame of mind he is a big player here.
Loves the 3200 metres and likes Alexandra Park.
Include in everything.
7) Sheemon – Starts: 54 Wins: 16 Secs: 17 Thirds: 10 Life: $473,792
Right at the top of his game at the moment and loves Alexandra Park.
Has beaten Stent at their last two meetings at Alexandra Park in Group 1 races and a game second in this race last year as a four year old.
A much better horse as a five year old and with Dexter in the bike he will be given every chance to go one better this year.
Include in everything.
8) Flying Isa – Starts: 55 Wins: 17 Secs: 5 Thirds: 4 Life: $479,192
Back from a successful stint in Australia but up against it here.
Better from a mobile than a stand and we would prefer at a distance a bit shorter than 3200 metres.
We find it hard to see him as a threat to the favoured trio.
Outside first four player at best for us.
9) Dr Hook – Starts: 87 Wins: 17 Secs: 13 Thirds: 11 Life: $434,613
An outstanding trotter who is in the twilight of his career.
Will appreciate the move back to a stand but it is still hard to see him being a major player here.
Not for us
10) One Over Da Moon – Starts: 33 Wins: 11 Secs: 3 Thirds: 2 Life: $179,956
Really nice trotter who is taking on the best trotters around this campaign.
Has gone a couple of good races this time in but has several question marks beside his name tonight.
We have doubts that 3200 metres really suits him and at his last standing start he broke badly and took no serious part.
Not for us.
11) Kincaslough – Starts: 30 Wins: 10 Secs: 3 Thirds: 3 Life: $122,986
Has had a very long season to date being around since September and signs of that present in her last few runs.
Very capable mare and back to a stand which she much prefers.
Did go her best race for some time last week, running on well late but a few here look sharper to us.
Outside first four chance at best.
SELECTIONS
How can you go past Stent in his present form.
He does have a few question marks beside his name this week but he is not a millionaire by chance.
The two main dangers for us are Master Lavros and Sheemon who quinelled the race last year.
Both look to be right in the zone at the moment and just need the rub of the green to threaten Stent.
Behind these three are a group who are trifecta and first four players if things go their way in the running.
We would include King Denny, Mums Pride, Alley Way and Springbank Sam in combinations with the three above.
Harnesslink Media