Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Alexandra Park Harness on Friday 24 April.
After taking heavy support at Cambridge, Mick Konstantin (9) rewarded those who stayed faithful with a great win here last week when coming from off the speed on the markers to surge to victory. Same set up looks very likely here from the barrier draw too and with a cold shot again, can win again.
Selections: 9-7-1-4-12
| 9. Mick Konstantin (1) J: Jay Abernethy 4×831T: Jay Abernethy |
Big and bold here last week after doing a power of work early, Final Approach (13) continued the march toward bigger and better things with another brilliant winning performance. Different set up here tonight, but should track through OK from the second row and is just as dangerous coming from off the speed.
Selections: 13-12-11-5-9
| 13. Final Approach (5) Scratched: | |||
Two really strong efforts in the last two runs from Black Beauty (1) and a win looks just around the corner. Nice staying type who looks suited to being on the markers and bowling along and gets a chance for that tonight from the ace. Should be ready to strike now and this is her chance.
Selections: 1-4-6-7-5
| 1. Black Beauty (1) J: Matthew White 1×823T: Matthew White |
An early mistake last week on debut from Duke Of Bourbon (3) was big enough to see him disqualified after staging a pretty impressive recovery. Bound to be better for that experience and if he get all the feet going in all the right places tonight then he’s going to take a stack of beating.
Selections: 3-1-5-2-4
| 3. Duke Of Bourbon (3) J: Scott Phelan dT: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan |
Nabbed by the horse on his back turning for home at Cambridge two weeks ago, Cyclone Rebel (7) lost no admirers in going down by just a short margin. Chance to atone for that here tonight and while he’ll need to do some work from the wide draw expect him to be right there at the finish.
Selections: 7-1-6-3-5
| 7. Cyclone Rebel (7) J: Tony Herlihy 17412T: Tate Hopkins |
Massive in the TAB Trot on the Night Of Champions to be the first Kiwi home, Meant To Be (5) is really starting to transition into a serious open class trotter. Nice wee test here tonight but he maps well and should be charging into it at the right moment. A great chance.
Selections: 5-2-6-8-9
| 5. Meant To Be (5) J: Zachary Butcher 23214T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan |
He’s had a taste at the top echelon of pacing but this is the real test for The Lazarus Effect (4). Everything points toward him being a top liner and if he can win tonight then he certainly finds his place there. High speed over the short distance will play into his hands and he might just be a little too quick for them.
Selections: 4-9-8-2-10
| 4. The Lazarus Effect (4) J: Bob Butt 12211T: Bob Butt |
There’s an air of brilliance about Our Col (4) that is only reserved for those who are right out of the box and she certainly looks like one of those. Unbeaten so far and was her best on the Night Of Champions when winning in a slick time. Maybe harder here, but she’s up to the challenge.
Selections: 4-3-5-1-2
| 4. Our Col (4) J: Tony Herlihy 1×11T: Tony Herlihy |
Back to her devastating best at Cambridge when winning in style, Francent (6) may have installed a little fear in her rivals here and that can play right into her hands. Doesn’t have to lead, but if she does it becomes all that much harder to beat her.
Selections: 6-5-4-2-1
| 6. Francent (6) J: Crystal Hackett 88231T: Mark Jones |
Knocking on the door of a success and the upgrade in draws tonight for Layton David (2) can play a huge role in helping make that to happen. Should get into a nice spot early and from there with the right amount of luck be the one to beat in an even field to end the night.
Selections: 2-11-10-9-6
| 2. Layton David (2) J: Tony Cameron 25724T: Mark Jones |