Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Alexandra Park Harness on Friday, 20 February.
Really brave effort in the second look at Alex Park from Almighty (6) last week when forced to race parked outside Higher Power. Held off every other challenge in the race well to the line and with continued improvement looks hard to beat here.
Selections: 6-9-2-10-1
| 6. Almighty (1) J: Benjamin Butcher 19p62T: Jonny Cox |
Nice to have Better Knuckle Up (6) back on the track and he finds a really winnable assignment first up too. Gets a draw advantage over main rivals but could be equally as dangerous with a sit and a cold shot at them. Hard to stop.
Selections: 6-8-7-4-1
| 6. Better Knuckle Up (6) J: Tony Herlihy 24534T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan |
All the ability is there, Sammy Lincoln (5) just needs to get the feet moving right. Should have probably won both career starts now but inexperience has cost him. Can turn that around tonight though and make this race his own.
Selections: 5-4-1-7-3
| 5. Sammy Lincoln (5) J: Harrison Orange 3dT: Ray Green & Nathan Delany |
Classy customer Allamericanplayer (8) resumes here off a spell after taking on the best of his age group last campaign. Good horse and this field should hold no worries for him. Just depends on how big of a run they want to have first up from the break.
Selections: 8-5-3-1-4
| 8. Allamericanplayer (8) J: Tim Williams 2552xT: Steve & Amanda Telfer |
Backed heavily on debut last year, Nazare (3) delivered in fine style. Turfed out in a nice big paddock for a break and further development post that run. One quiet workout to ready but dashed an impressive last half and with a draw advantage here, can resume in style again.
Selections: 3-8-4-1-2
| 3. Nazare (3) J: Andre Poutama 1xT: Arna Donnelly |
There was hints of a pretty nice horse in the making from the resuming victory of Final Approach (7) a couple of weeks ago. Big motor to play with and everything else looks to be falling into place around it. Good things ahead and can win again.
Selections: 7-1-8-6-5
| 7. Final Approach (1) J: Crystal Hackett 009×1T: Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett |
Created a huge impression when winning with a leg in the air here on debut did Coal Fire (3) and it will be interesting to see if he’s really come on from that experience and improved. Looks a leading contender for the age group early on and big things ahead.
Selections: 3-5-6-4-2
| 3. Coal Fire (3) J: Andre Poutama 1T: Nathan Purdon |
Backed up some tidy trials and workouts with a solid second on debut and Lady Di (1) won’t wait long to find her way into the winners’ circle you wouldn’t imagine. Nice set up here from the good draw and with the master in the bike you’ll get every chance at success.
Selections: 1-2-4-5-3
| 1. Lady Di (1) J: Mark Purdon 2T: Nathan Purdon |
Thought this looked a nice race for Chanel Noire (3) who has been really good in her two runs back from a spell. Has high speed, so might duck for cover early but there looks enough tempo in this race to bring her right into play.
Selections: 3-5-6-2-4
| 3. Chanel Noire (3) J: Harrison Orange 23×13T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan |