Nelson Harness Tips & Preview | Friday 9 January

Bob Butt should be in for a big day at Richmond Park and he can set the tone nice and early with One Eye Bandit (9). He is, without doubt the best horse in the race and although coming off the unruly, you’d expect him to still prove pretty hard to hold out here.  
Selections: 9-5-1-2-7 

With a few runs under the belt now and the experience behind him it seems about time to put Bizza To’o into the gap and let him charge. All the makings of a really nice horse and it’s been a gradual progression to this point. Steps clean and lands close enough, he’s the horse to beat.  
Selections: 2-4-1-6-5 

Given one run, which he finished third at, and then a spell, Hawk Touie Louie (4) has looked pretty sharp this time in with some tidy public runs and if he continues his progression forward he’s going to become a very nice horse in time. Good enough to win here now though.  
Selections: 4-3-1-7-5 

A professional and faultless return to racing for Loveyou To Da Skye (7) at Rangiora last week and perhaps a sign of things to come for the well bred trotter. The motor has always been there, but the brain hasn’t always worked in tandem. Maybe it has all clicked though?  
Selections: 7-6-4-5-3 

Impressive late at Motukarara after finding a tricky spot in running, Shanky’s Shot (3) screamed next up. Stable generally fires right up for this meeting and on what we’ve seen so far he might be good enough to win this here today from the handy draw.  
Selections: 3-4-2-5-6 

A really productive start to the career by Captain Tyron (5) who streeted rivals at Motukarara last time out. Looks capable of standing up as one of the leading three-year-olds early in the season and finds the right race here to be a major player.  
Selections: 5-2-8-9-10 

Given it had been 18 months away from the track and in slushy conditions the first-up run of Ukraine (3) was fantastic. The winner has won again since too and with that run under the belt, he too can be a winner here today with a good beginning.  
Selections: 3-8-10-11-7 

A newcomer to the Bob Butt barn, Roydon Muscle (8) has always been a horse with plenty of ability and the new surroundings might just be enough to really turn him right around. Maybe a bit of a sit and watch today but if he runs up to trial form he’ll go close.  
Selections: 8-9-6-4-5 

A superb effort down south behind the talented Duchess Of Kent, should be enough to see Always B Magic (7) home here today. She’s a wonderful staying filly and often the ability to be tough is golden over the short course. A positive drive will have her right in play.  
Selections: 7-8-6-9-5 

No match when Pinseeker turned on the afterburners at Omakau, but there was still plenty of merit in the effort of Harrison John (5). He’s a bit of an opportunist and he might just stalk today and let the big guns fight it out early and then try and have the final say, good enough to win too.  
Selections: 5-7-4-3-2 

Great effort given the run in transit at Rangiora by Candy Cane (8) and after a bit of a freshen up will only be better for it too. Should absolutely dominate this field on what we’ve seen so far, even from the wide draw. A great bet to end the day. Selections: 8-5-3-1-6