Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Alexandra Park Harness on Friday, 6 March.
The very exciting All Of Me (7) returns to the track here off the back of a brilliant finish to her two-year-old campaign during Cup Week. Has it all in front of her and while she will improve from the run and her first look at Auckland, she’s got the ability to win this without doubt.
Selections: 7-6-8-3-1
| 7. All Of Me (7) J: Carter Dalgety 3411x T: Cran & Chrissie Dalgety |
If not for a brilliant performance from Iron Mike Tyson, Nymbal (6) would have returned to the track a winner last week. Had it all one until the final stages. Will have taken improvement from that run and with a bit of luck in running can get over the top of them.
Selections: 6-4-5-2-7
| 6. Nymbal (6) J: Josh Dickie 662×2 T: Brian & Gareth Hughes |
It will be a herculean effort, but would anyone be truly surprised if Oscar Bonavena (7) stepped out here off the 55m handicap and gave them a trotting lesson? On class, he probably should. But there’s enough question marks there to not declare him past the post. Right kind of tempo and run and he will win though.
Selections: 7-5-2-6-3
| 7. Oscar Bonavena (1) J: Mark Purdon 33324 T: Mark Purdon |
Expecting good improvement from Better Knuckle Up (3) from his excellent second here two weeks ago in a fresh state. Small field and good draw really helps the cause and if he’s up on the speed turning for home, it’ll take a mighty effort to get past him.
Selections: 3-5-6-1-4
| 3. Better Knuckle Up (3) J: Tony Herlihy 45342 T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan |
She’s a hard one to catch but on her best day Miss Bebe (7) would win this race for fun. Her win four starts back was that of a pretty handy horse and while we haven’t seen her that good since this is a race she can recapture her form in without doubt.
Selections: 7-5-4-8-9
| 7. Miss Bebe (3) J: Todd Macfarlane 619d6 T: Rodney Frampton |
Runs on the board with two wins from two starts and a knowledge of racing at Alexandra Park tick the box of Coal Fire (9) here tonight. He’s a classy pacer in the making and if he was to repeat his two wins to date he’ll be hard to hold out here. Draw should work out OK too.
Selections: 9-1-4-7-3
| 9. Coal Fire (9) J: Andre Poutama 11 T: Nathan Purdon |
Really encouraging introduction to racing for Eternal Perfection (3) and we wouldn’t need to see much more here tonight for her to go one placing better. Has nice early speed so should find a good spot and if she’s there throughout then she’ll be the one to beat.
Selections: 3-4-10-1-8
| 3. Eternal Perfection (3) J: Mark Purdon 2 T: Tony Shaw & James Stephens |
Expecting a really sharp performance from Princess Gracy (2) tonight as she builds toward upcoming features. Nice upgrade in draws from her recent runs and they’ll be keen to take bad luck out of the equation. Her terms in front and she’ll be hard to run down.
Selections: 2-5-3-4-1
| 2. Princess Gracy (2) J: Zachary Butcher 72413 T: Zachary Butcher |