Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Friday’s Night of Champions meeting at Cambridge Harness.
It’s been a productive start to the racing career of Layton David (4) with two really strong efforts followed by a below par one last time out. Back to the trials since and looked very sharp with a key gear change clearly working. Small field suits him here and he should be hard to beat.
Selections: 4-5-3-1-2
| 4. Layton David (4) J: Tony Cameron 257T: Mark Jones |
Last season’s champion 2YO Kyvalley Ray (6) returns tonight after a good spell. Two public runs to get ready and the most recent of those against the pacers looked very sharp. Will likely look to roll forward and control this and he seems forward enough to be able to win.
Selections: 6-5-3-7-2
| 6. Kyvalley Ray (6) J: Blair Orange 1211xT: Brent Lilley |
A noted staying type, Mick Konstantin (5) finds the right race with the right driver in Cam Hart to show his best. Will relish buzzing forward and looking to find the front here and if he does and can control it from that point then he should be able to withstand all the late challenges and win.
Selections: 5-11-3-8-10
| 5. Mick Konstantin (5) J: John Dunn 404×8T: Jay Abernethy |
After taking on the best of the best in the last handful of starts, Bounce N Beyond (10) should relish the relief on offer here tonight in an easier assignment. At his best, he’ll win this. But does need to be driven for the one run at them which always leaves him open to bad luck.
Selections: 10-8-6-5-7
| 10. Bounce N Beyond (10) J: John Dunn 34477T: Robert & Jenna Dunn |
With three runs under the belt now and fitness levels peaking, Alecto (2) gets her chance tonight to remind everyone how good she is. Nice option for her given the good barrier draw and if she lands in a forward spot early then they’ll need to be good to come from behind her and beat her.
Selections: 2-10-9-1-3
| 2. Alecto (2) J: Andre Poutama 5×316T: Nathan Purdon |
Went about as good as he possibly could have last week Little Spike (8) just got stuck behind a horse who was taking him nowhere, but showed some real zip over the last wee bit. Different set up here and expect a pretty confident drive and if he’s rolling around the last bend, he’ll take catching.
Selections: 8-7-1-9-10
| 8. Little Spike (8) J: Tony Herlihy 45465T: Arna Donnelly |
Like any three-year-old in the country at the moment, walking out onto the track and not seeing Jumal there waiting will be a nice relief for Allamericanplayer (3) tonight. His chance to get some momentum up and with key rivals drawn awkwardly, he should be able to dominate. Don’t like the price? Jump to the futures tab and look for the Box Seat Boost for a little extra.
Selections: 3-9-11-1-2
| 3. Allamericanplayer (3) J: Anthony Butt x2123T: Steve & Amanda Telfer |
A chance to watch greatness on offer here. But you’re not going to get rich backing Keyang Zahara (2). The best trotter down under should make light work of this from the barrier draw and looks an anchor on every multiples ticket for the night.
Selections: 2-8-4-1-6
| 2. Keayang Zahara (2) J: Jason Lee 11111T: Margaret & Paddy Lee |
Larry is back at Cambridge, 12 months after his incredible victory in this race last year. There’s a bit of value in the price of Leap To Fame (7) too with so many good pacers in and around him in this field. Expect him to roll onto the speed and some point and from there it will be a case of whether anything is good enough to out-stay him.
Selections: 7-2-10-1-8
| 7. Leap To Fame (7) J: Grant Dixon 12111T: Grant Dixon |
Mathematically it was impossible for Francent (6) to win the other night but she was super in running third. Extra distance and a better draw tonight swings things in her favour and expect her to be driven very confidently and show her class.
Selections: 6-4-9-1-7
| 6. Francent (6) J: Crystal Hackett 18823T: Mark Jones |