With the big day of harness racing at Invercargill on Diamonds Day on Sunday, we here at Harnesslink thought we should an in depth preview of some of the feature races.
This preview is of the Southern Supremacy Final
1) Man I'm Good – Starts: 6 Wins: 0 Secs: 0 Thirds: 1 Life: $1,114
Nice horse in the making but this is a huge step up to what he has been racing.
We struggle to see him as a serious first four player in this field..
Not for us.
2) Christian Grey – Starts: 7 Wins: 2 Secs: 0 Thirds: 0 Life: $8,556
Talented three year old with a nice draw here but class of field against him.
There are four here that look better to us regardless of the runs they might get.
Not for us
3) Statham – Starts: 7 Wins: 4 Secs: 2 Thirds: 0 Life: $26,761
Real up and comer who has impressed from day one.
Out and out stayer who will love the 2700 metres and is right in the zone at the moment.
Nathan has gone with the stablemate driving wise but it took him most of the week to decide which horse to drive which shows how little there is between the two Williamson runners.
Big winning chance and a must have for all combination bets.
4) I'm Full Of Excuses – Starts: 9 Wins: 3 Secs: 1 Thirds: 0 Life: $15,044
Has won three races from just nine starts but does seem a bit one dimensional at this stage.
Will see out the 2700 metres better than some but hard to see him troubling the favoured quartet.
Outside first four player at best.
5) Robyn's Bad Boy – Starts: 11 Wins: 1 Secs: 1 Thirds: 1 Life: $7,569
Another horse who will win a few more in the future but hard to make a case for him here.
This field has real depth this year and we can't see him finishing in four.
Not for us.
6) Tas Man Bromac – Starts: 11 Wins: 7 Secs: 0 Thirds: 2 Life: $43,393
The find of the season in Southland amongst the three year olds and he has hardly put a foot wrong all season.
Good enough to have gone round in the Derbies but the stable have targeted this race instead all season.
Is cherry ripe for this and the 2700 metres won't hold any worries for him as he already holds the New Zealand record for the distance from a stand.
The horse to beat for us.
7) Smithy – Starts: 11 Wins: 3 Secs: 1 Thirds: 0 Life: $27,661
Speedy son of Mach Three who we would prefer over something shorter at this level.
If he drawn in close he would have been a first four player for us but from out there at seven we struggle to see him as a major player.
Outside first four player at best
SECOND LINE
8) Costa Del Magnifico – Starts: 13 Wins: 3 Secs: 7 Thirds: 1 Life: $23,333
As game as they come and he will appreciate the 2700 metres
Perennial placegetter this season but all of his runs have had merit and he won't give in without a fight.
From the draw he would need a few things to go his way to be a winning chance but a must have for all combination takers
9) Pulp Fiction – Starts: 18 Wins: 8 Secs: 0 Thirds: 4 Life: $60,190
Most tightly assessed horse in the race and has Dexter in the bike which is a big plus.
Nagging doubt for us whether a true run 2700 metres is his best distance and he will need to be at his absolute best to topple the Williamson pair.
A winning chance but a must for all combination takers.
SELECTIONS
Tas Man Bromac is top pick for us but it is a close thing with his stablemate Statham.
For us these two have been set for this race all season and are right in the zone over a distance that they will love.
Pulp Fiction can upset these two but will need to lift from his recent runs and Costa Del Magnifico will run his usual honest race and is a serious first four player.
We struggle to see too many of the other runners playing a major role here and we think these four we have picked here have a big chance of making up the first four
Harnesslink Media