Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Ashburton Harness on Tuesday 13 January.
Only once beaten in public ahead of today’s debut, there’s a bit to like about Makani (5). Looks a promising trotter in the making and has handled everything really well so far so no reason to expect it won’t happen here as well. Trots all the way and becomes very hard to beat.
Selections: 5-1-2-6-7
| 5. Makani (5) J: Jonny Cox T: Sam Payne |
Got back at Timaru last week and was climbing all over them up the straight with nowhere to go but Ashburton looks ideal for Sofia Rose (7) today and she’s well over the odds. Similar kind of field and if she can get a nice drag into it and then unleash she won’t be far off them at the finish.
Selections: 7-1-9-6-4
| 7. Sofia Rose (7) J: Olivia Thornley 00036T: Kevin Fairbairn |
A four-year-old mare on debut, Divine Mercy (5) looks to have a little bit extra in the ability tank based off some good trials. Has beaten some who have stepped out and done very well under race conditions too. Right kind of race and the right kind of driver to make it a winning debut.
Selections: 5-4-1-6-2
| 5. Divine Mercy (5) J: Blair Orange T: Steve Dolan |
A string of handy enough efforts recently from Don’t Look Kobe (1) down in Central Otago and while heading up the road to Canterbury, this isn’t a major step up. Chance to jump and run here from the inside draw and with a run on the speed throughout will be hard to catch.
Selections: 1-10-6-4-2
| 1. Dont Look Kobe (1) J: Kerryn Tomlinson 30572T: Brad Williamson |
Really good in all three starts back from a spell this time from Scotlyn Fortress (2) and a winning turn looks close at hand. Won’t get many better chances than this either from a good draw and in a very even field where no form matches up to his.
Selections: 2-3-4-5-1
| 2. Scotlynn Fortress (2) J: Robbie Close 9×243T: Dean Taylor |
A lot to like about the recent efforts of Scotlyn Crunch (6) as a lead toward this race today. Two starts back finished second behind Sonofamistery at Addington and was a brave fourth last time out at The Mot behind Sweet Willow. Decent wee drop back here and at her best, she’ll win.
Selections: 6-7-5-9-10
| 6. Scotlynn Crunch (6) J: John Morrison 10524T: Dean Taylor |
Backed up a brave placing in the Harness 5000 with an equally, if not better, effort at Omakau and off those two runs, Bannockburn (9) has to be the horse to beat here. Will need to do some work from the wide draw but looks capable of that and should be charging at them late.
Selections: 9-10-5-8-6
| 9. Bannockburn (9) J: Wilson House 72132T: Aaron Swain |
In a wide open field with no real standouts the recent efforts of Blackjack (1) really stand out. Excellent in the last four starts and deserves a winning turn and in this field today gets a prime opportunity to make something happen.
Selections: 1-6-10-11-8
| 1. Blackjack (1) J: John Dunn 93423T: Matt Purvis |
Nice race for Very Majestic (12) today after three good confidence building runs recently. Capable of making a real flyer from the unruly and if she can get up onto the speed quickly she might just have a little too much class for this line up.
Selections: 12-1-6-10-8
| 12. Very Majestic (0) J: John Dunn 30336T: Robert & Jenna Dunn |
Unsighted under race conditions since back in May when beaten by Marketplace and Got The Chocolates, Captain Commodore (10) has been brought up slowly with three public runs under the belt all of which have been nice in good fields. Has the measure of this line up and should be winning the last.
Selections: 10-1-5-4-7
| 10. Captain Commodore (10) J: Carter Dalgety 3800xT: Cran & Chrissie Dalgety |