The Shark makes his way to Alexandra Park and the final harness racing meeting of the year, Auckland Cup night, in search of winners to end the year on the right note.
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Race 1
4 Bolt For Brilliance: Jewels winner back in action and does so with some good workout and trial form. Should have the class edge on most of these in a fresh state.
11 Full Of Hope: Has the motor and two runs since arriving in the north have both been excellent. Sure to be a live hope again here.
10 Swiss Miss: Hit the line with real venom last time out and headed in the right direction. Good field, but she’s a leading contender for sure.
1 Safrakova: Gets back onto the front line here which can make all the difference. Usual good manners land on the speed and keep them honest.
Selections: 4-11-10-1
Race 2
6 Sheffield Sparky: In great nick and last two runs have been both huge in defeat. Deserves a winning turn and gets a golden opportunity on a big night to make it happen.
8 Fabrizio: Orange sticks with the ship after a brave effort for fourth last time out. Tricky draw, but right man to make things happen and land in the right place.
10 Dina Brown: Should be at peak fitness now after three runs back from a spell. Took on a strong field last time out so should be a leading contender in today’s challenge.
4 Golden Quest: Two good wins in his last two starts. Going from strength to strength and looks a live prospect again here tonight.
Selections: 6-8-10-4
Race 3
1 Gliding Away: Last four runs have all been excellent and often without much luck. Huge in defeat last time and from the draw gets a chance to turn the tables here.
2 Dina Bolt: Emphatic in his two starts since arriving in the North Island and headed for bigger and better things. Should be one half of the quinella.
6 Double Rocket: Has been taking on far stronger fields than this in recent starts and should find things a little easier. Can certainly be a player here.
3 Best Western: Sharp mare back in action and looked good in her workout to ready for this. Will get better with racing but still a live hope here.
Selections: 1-2-6-3
Race 4
10 Stylish Memphis: Loved the late work last time out to get close to an outstanding pacer. Draw advantage here, so gets a chance to turn things around.
9 Amazing Dream: Ultimate class filly with it all in front of her. So much depends on how the first few 100m pan out for her though. Needs a little luck.
2 Need You Now: Tried to run them into the dirt last time after strong win from off the speed start prior. Trail is probably on offer here and can win if she takes it.
3 Spellbound: Drawn next to the stablemate and they look the early pace-setters. Not that far off them lately and can certainly get a huge slice of the pie.
Selections: 10-9-2-3
Race 5
8 Tickle Me Pink: Better for the two runs back from a spell and back on even terms with them too. That should see her class shine through and see her get the win.
1 Tricky Ric: Not far behind the best trotters last season in his age group and better for fresh up run. Good draw, will do no extra work and can make a big play for it.
12 Sunny Glenis: Big win last time out. Back to the stand here but when she’s in good form, she’s in good form and no surprise to see her stand up here and go close again.
7 Pretty Majestic: Not a lot of luck in NZ debut last time out. Had plenty more to offer. Can get a slice of the pie with natural improvement and a little more luck.
Selections: 8-1-12-7
Race 6
2 One Change: Two great runs in last two efforts and get his chance tonight from the very good draw. Should be the one they all have to beat.
8 Flying Even Bettor: Excellent money on offer for a horse who hasn’t had the best of luck recently. Can get forward and be right there when things get serious.
10 Smooth Deal: Much more like it last time and should be able to follow through the early speed here. Certainly good enough to win it.
6 Line Up: Form reads excellent and without high class stable mate here he gets the chance to be the centre of attention and give it a good shake.
Selections: 2-8-10-6
Race 7
6 Oscar Bonavena: What beats him wins. It really is that simple.
2 Majestic Man: Momentarily looked set to lower the colours of the champ in waiting on Christmas Eve. Different tactics tonight: Could the result turn?
1 Winterfell: The star of the Inter Dominions. Not sure if this is the great draw for him they would have wanted. But respect the ability immensely.
5 Enhance Your Calm: Was going OK when he galloped last time out at Cambridge. We know how good he is, but there’s still some work to be done.
Selections: 6-2-1-5
Race 8
8 Belle Of Montana: Has been untouchable lately. And it’s hard to see how that’s going to change here tonight. Looks home and hosed.
9 Wainui Creek: Living in the shadow of an exceptional mare. Not a bad place to be though when you’re going as well as she is. Good place chance again.
7 Step Up: That was more like it last time out when winning. Can maintain that form and be a major player in this line up tonight.
2 Revolver: In good nick since coming back from a spell. Gets his chance from a good draw to stand up and make a bit of a play for this.
Selections: 8-9-7-2
Race 9
3 Self Assured: First time on the biggest of stages, over the ultimate distance. Good enough, there’s no doubt about that. His class should take him close, but maybe not quite so straight forward.
1 Thefixer: Loves the two miles and should be handy to the speed throughout from the good draw. That puts him in a great position to make a big play for this.
5 Cruz Bromac: Cup winner back to the ultimate distance and Orange in the bike. Will see it out better than most, without a doubt and can win if things go his way.
11 Chase Auckland: Might be the forgotten runner right down the bottom of the book. In great form and with a quick beginning and a nice trip could be the blowout.
Selections: 3-1-5-11
Race 10
1 Krug: Good run on debut to go down fighting late. Gets the plum draw here, should lead and keep them honest. His race to lose.
2 First Class: Showed a bit of ability on debut and from the handy draw tonight should land on or near to the speed here and give a good account.
5 Black Edition: Hit the line strongly on debut. Smaller field here should help get a little closer, even from the wider draw tonight.
4 Platinum Stride: Great run on debut with a good effort for fourth. Has to be considered a great chance of getting into the top four once again.
Selections: 1-2-5-4
BEST: 6 Sheffield Sparky (Race 2)
NEXT: 8 Belle Of Montana (Race 8)
VALUE: 10 Stylish Memphis (Race 4)
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The Shark – best at Winton on Tuesday
The Shark makes his way down to the deep south to Winton looking to round off the South Island harness racing year with success.
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Race 1
4 Time In A Bottle: Both stylish and effortless in first run for the Williamson barn last weekend. Should go on with it too. Looks a big chance again.
8 Crusher Collins: How good has she been in recent weeks? Super, that’s how good. Wide draw, but ability will take her a long way against this field.
10 Ayutthaya: More upside than most in this and does seem to appreciate the mobile conditions. Can make a late play at them with a bit of luck.
6 Global Flight: Canterbury raider who is better than the form line would suggest. Meets the right kind of race to get back in the winning groove.
Selections: 4-8-10-6
Race 2
1 Jaccka Ted: In genuine nick in good fields recently and slots a really good draw for this assignment today. Should be right in the fight.
14 Glenledi Captain: Loves doing a bit in his races and seems to keep giving right to the finish line. Has to be afforded a big chance here, even from the draw.
2 Yuko: Is better than the form looks and finally gets a decent marble to work with. Can punch forward and be handy and play a role in this.
5 Swell Time: Has more ability than most in this assignment and gets a decent chance. Just needs to race kinder and get that little bit of luck.
Selections: 1-14-2-5
Race 3
9 Flash Party: Best horse in the race with the worst draw. Clear air at any point before it’s too late and she’s the one they all have to beat.
10 Ideologist: Would expect sharp improvement from the fresh up run where asked to do a bit of work. This is easier. Has to be a hope.
3 Holy Havoc: Better than the last couple of performances and up against an even field today so gets a good chance to get things back on track.
5 I’m Jimmy James: Talented enough type who should come on in leaps and bounds from the fresh up performance. Can have the last say in this with a sit.
Selections: 9-10-3-5
Race 4
10 Burnham Boy: Best horse in the race but woeful last time out. So much better than that and should be too good for this field, even from the second line.
3 Triple VC: Generally needs things to pan out in races to put the best foot forward, but this is a notable drop in class today and not the worst chance.
1 Lite Percussion: Forget the last run, just needs a little more luck than that. Should get it here too, especially from the handy draw. Can win it.
8 Tartan Trilogy: In great form but cops a horror draw here so might need a little more luck than he’s used to getting to be a winning chance. Still in it though.
Selections: 10-3-1-8
Race 5
6 Sekkie Monkey: Best form, which is really good – could be too good for these. Small field certainly helps the cause and can win today.
7 Super Fast Pat: Huge motor but still putting it all together. They might not see which way he goes if he’s caught on the right foot when they say go.
8 Cuchulainn: Big run last time out and now with two runs under the belt should be at peak fitness and ready to rock and roll. Can get a big slice.
5 Majestic Connies: Fresh up without any preps, but is that ever really a concern for a Williamson runner? Could be the blow out hope.
Selections: 6-7-8-5
Race 6
6 Sugar Loaf: Peach of a John Dunn drive got the job done last time at Addington. Has a bright future ahead and should be winning again here today.
4 Watch Me Now: Could not have been any more impressive winning last time out. Clearly heading for bigger and better things and a big chance here again.
3 Luella: More upside than most here and brilliant in Rangiora trials. In for a good summer and should show up here in what is a very good field.
5 Pearl Harbour: Excellent effort to win last time out, but that wasn’t as strong as this field. Will need to be even better again, but can get a slice of it.
Selections: 6-4-3-5
Race 7
14 Buck: Some really strong workout and trial form around this debutant. Has to overcome the second line but everything points towards that being possible.
9 Major Meister: For a horse yet to win a maiden there sure have been some excellent performances of late. Another tricky draw but a winning chance with luck,.
12 Saint Tropez: Nice in the breeding column and above average in workouts and trials. Stable is kicking a few goals too. Winner at short notice if not here.
13 Mossdale Lottee: Beautiful family and solid workout and trials to prep for this debut. Respect for the stable whenever they line one up.
Selections: 14-9-12-13
Race 8
5 Mossdale Art: Expected to be in need of the run at Rangiora and might even be better on the firmer tracks. Can jump, run and grind them into the dirt here.
1 Might Be Me: Has an unreal turn of foot and looks set to ping out from the gate and find the back of the right one to make a play for success.
6 Major Sass: Now on the beach with the Barclay and Ellis barn. That’s been a successful step in the past and no surprise to see sharp improvement here.
12 Anamajor: Down from Canterbury where the form lines are solid. Should get near to the speed at some point and can certainly be a player.
Selections: 5-1-6-12
Race 9
8 Kingmaker: Big win last time out up the road in Canterbury. Wide draw here but could get across them and keep them honest. Too good to drop.
7 Whata Razzle Dazzle: Mobile specialist who can punch across them all early and if allowed to dictate terms in front, might be too good form them to catch.
10 Mach’s Back: More upside than most in this line up. Tricky having to come off the second row, but certainly good enough to win it.
3 Dangerous: Great win last time out and can build on that confidence here today. Has a good turn of foot when saved for one run.
Selections: 8-7-10-3
BEST: 6 Sugar Loaf (Race 6)
NEXT: 10 Burnham Boy (Race 4)
VALUE: 14 Buck (Race 7)