It's the biggest race day of the year for Australian harness racing on Sunday at Melton, just outside the world's greatest city, Melbourne. I'm always keen to post coverage of the best betting events around the world, and as a harness racing buff, it's the perfect week to bring it on board. I wouldn't normally allow a plug for a bookie at the same time, but Ben is a quality judge and his employer is one of the very few corporate bookies in Australia which hasn't (yet) been bought out by a European firm.
Preview for Breeders Crown Day
By Ben Krahe (Harness Racing Manager Betstar)
This day has grown tremendously in stature in the few years it has been run. There are nine Group 1s and is now known as Super Sunday. The interest is now bigger than any other full day of harness racing on the calendar. The Kiwis have invaded us with their best and are expected to win as many as five of the nine finals. Not sure we can do anything about that as they may simply be too good. Below is a quick race by race analysis with some of my prices.
R1 – Elegant Image (1.40) should be too good for these with victories not so long ago in open class. The up and coming Aleppo Midas (4.50) was huge last time and may well provide punters with a popular exacta. For the bronze look for Enjoy A Coldie (21.00), Stoned I Am (8.00), Livingstonelovell (51.00) and Theywannacallmesue (51.00)
R2 – If Blitzthemcalder (1.40) doesn’t gallop it will win this very easily For those that want to lay one today though this may be it as it has a tendency to gallop especially from inside draws. In saying that, if it does gallop it can still win its that good. The Boss Man (4.50) is an improving type who, if the favourite does gallop, can definitely win this. For Trifecta players look towards the well drawn Yankeeiron (10.00), Redy To Race (10.00), Hilltown Yankee (17.00) and Bonechip (17.00)
R3 - The favourites will just keep rolling on with what looks the safest of them all today in Bellas Delight (1.35). She is a multiple Group 1 winner and hard to see getting beat again. For exotic players, look towards Dream Verdict (21.00), Tiger Tina (5.00), Aussie Made Lombo (26.00), Miss Moonlite (14.00), Little Red Cloud (10.00) and Victors Delight (8.00).
R4 - The 3YO Trotters Final looks a great betting race with three chances in Aldebaran Shades (3.20), Triumphant Monarch (4.00) and Cyclone U Bolt (1.90). Lets tip the Aussie in AS to beat the Kiwis. These three should fill the quinella with other First 4 hopes being Amore Stride (17.00), Kyvalley Rap (51.00) and Zedalite (34.00).
R5 - Tipping with the great draw Franco Nelson (2.50) to beat the very heavily pre-post backed Border Control (2.20). The unlucky runner was the ultra impressive Bit Of A Legend (5.50) - who I took $16 prepost for- it has been banished to the outside draw for galloping last time. FN could be the bet of the day for me so let's cheer it home. Others with chances are Flaming Flutter (21.00), Lennytheshark (21.00), Lochinver (12.00).
R6 - Going to tip the well drawn Beauty Secret (4.80) here to roll which will be the leader and hot favourite Shake It Mama (2.50). Hopefully SIM will take it right into the sprintlane where BS will go whoosh.. Sensational Gabby (8.00) was huge last time and has only not saluted the winning post twice in its 20 odd start career. Marquess De Posh (6.00) has drawn the carpark and its hard to see it winning from there. Cheer The Lady (8.00) was the early prepost favourite but after a lacklustre run last time is friendless. Twist and Twirl (3.50) is the other great hope but from the second row draw will be need to be super tough.
R7 - My roughie of the day is Soho Valencia here (5.00), Hopefully we can roll top Kiwis again in Texican (2.10) and Fly Like An Eagle (4.00). Another Kiwi in Lets Elope (10.00) is hoping to emulate its namesake (Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner of 1991 for the younger generation/international readers) but I cannot see that happening. The rest can't win.
R8 - Only three possible winning chances here in Mustang Mach (2.50), Excel Stride (2.80) and Caribbean Blaster (3.20). I'm not going to fall for McCarthy's antics last time in the score up and with a victory over Australasia's best racehorse in Smoken Up, I'm expecting the much maligned McCarthy-trained Excel Stride to show its true colours from MM and CB. Bettor Bet Black (21.00) is well drawn to run a place. The other place chance is Abettorpunt (14.00)
R9 - The last of the Group 1s looks like going over the Tasman with Itsonlyforyou (1.65) appearing the likely winner. Glenferrie Shuffle (4.4) has been great lately but expect it to be going for the minor placings. Others include Frith (10.00) who was early favourite for the series, Our Femme Fatale (10.00) and Getya Wings Out (16.00).
Best of the Day – Franco Nelson
Best Lay – Blitzthemcalder
Best Roughie – Soho Valencia
GOOD LUCK and happy punting
Ben Krahe
Harness Racing Manager
www.betstar.com.au
I'll have a preview from another fine judge focusing on the pair of 2yo Breeders Crown races going up on the blog later today.
Preview for Breeders Crown Day
By Ben Krahe (Harness Racing Manager Betstar)
This day has grown tremendously in stature in the few years it has been run. There are nine Group 1s and is now known as Super Sunday. The interest is now bigger than any other full day of harness racing on the calendar. The Kiwis have invaded us with their best and are expected to win as many as five of the nine finals. Not sure we can do anything about that as they may simply be too good. Below is a quick race by race analysis with some of my prices.
R1 – Elegant Image (1.40) should be too good for these with victories not so long ago in open class. The up and coming Aleppo Midas (4.50) was huge last time and may well provide punters with a popular exacta. For the bronze look for Enjoy A Coldie (21.00), Stoned I Am (8.00), Livingstonelovell (51.00) and Theywannacallmesue (51.00)
R2 – If Blitzthemcalder (1.40) doesn’t gallop it will win this very easily For those that want to lay one today though this may be it as it has a tendency to gallop especially from inside draws. In saying that, if it does gallop it can still win its that good. The Boss Man (4.50) is an improving type who, if the favourite does gallop, can definitely win this. For Trifecta players look towards the well drawn Yankeeiron (10.00), Redy To Race (10.00), Hilltown Yankee (17.00) and Bonechip (17.00)
R3 - The favourites will just keep rolling on with what looks the safest of them all today in Bellas Delight (1.35). She is a multiple Group 1 winner and hard to see getting beat again. For exotic players, look towards Dream Verdict (21.00), Tiger Tina (5.00), Aussie Made Lombo (26.00), Miss Moonlite (14.00), Little Red Cloud (10.00) and Victors Delight (8.00).
R4 - The 3YO Trotters Final looks a great betting race with three chances in Aldebaran Shades (3.20), Triumphant Monarch (4.00) and Cyclone U Bolt (1.90). Lets tip the Aussie in AS to beat the Kiwis. These three should fill the quinella with other First 4 hopes being Amore Stride (17.00), Kyvalley Rap (51.00) and Zedalite (34.00).
R5 - Tipping with the great draw Franco Nelson (2.50) to beat the very heavily pre-post backed Border Control (2.20). The unlucky runner was the ultra impressive Bit Of A Legend (5.50) - who I took $16 prepost for- it has been banished to the outside draw for galloping last time. FN could be the bet of the day for me so let's cheer it home. Others with chances are Flaming Flutter (21.00), Lennytheshark (21.00), Lochinver (12.00).
R6 - Going to tip the well drawn Beauty Secret (4.80) here to roll which will be the leader and hot favourite Shake It Mama (2.50). Hopefully SIM will take it right into the sprintlane where BS will go whoosh.. Sensational Gabby (8.00) was huge last time and has only not saluted the winning post twice in its 20 odd start career. Marquess De Posh (6.00) has drawn the carpark and its hard to see it winning from there. Cheer The Lady (8.00) was the early prepost favourite but after a lacklustre run last time is friendless. Twist and Twirl (3.50) is the other great hope but from the second row draw will be need to be super tough.
R7 - My roughie of the day is Soho Valencia here (5.00), Hopefully we can roll top Kiwis again in Texican (2.10) and Fly Like An Eagle (4.00). Another Kiwi in Lets Elope (10.00) is hoping to emulate its namesake (Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner of 1991 for the younger generation/international readers) but I cannot see that happening. The rest can't win.
R8 - Only three possible winning chances here in Mustang Mach (2.50), Excel Stride (2.80) and Caribbean Blaster (3.20). I'm not going to fall for McCarthy's antics last time in the score up and with a victory over Australasia's best racehorse in Smoken Up, I'm expecting the much maligned McCarthy-trained Excel Stride to show its true colours from MM and CB. Bettor Bet Black (21.00) is well drawn to run a place. The other place chance is Abettorpunt (14.00)
R9 - The last of the Group 1s looks like going over the Tasman with Itsonlyforyou (1.65) appearing the likely winner. Glenferrie Shuffle (4.4) has been great lately but expect it to be going for the minor placings. Others include Frith (10.00) who was early favourite for the series, Our Femme Fatale (10.00) and Getya Wings Out (16.00).
Best of the Day – Franco Nelson
Best Lay – Blitzthemcalder
Best Roughie – Soho Valencia
GOOD LUCK and happy punting
Ben Krahe
Harness Racing Manager
www.betstar.com.au
I'll have a preview from another fine judge focusing on the pair of 2yo Breeders Crown races going up on the blog later today.
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