Matt Markham has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the eight races at the Winton Harness meeting on Sunday 26 July below:
A maiden win continues to elude Rakaturbo (2) but the placings just keep on piling up. Will get one soon enough and to be far, won’t get many better chances than this. Good draw, against a small field with no real standouts in the rivals. Surely today is the day.
Selections: 2-1-4-6-8
| 2. Rakaturbo (2) J: Carter Dalgety 23624T: Clark Barron | |||
| Thoroughly deserves a win. Today looks the day from this nice draw. | |||
Nice progression through the three career starts to date from Porcupine Creek (5) and you can find positives in each of them. Should be primed to strike now with the experience growing and the confidence and this does look a very winnable race here today.
Selections: 5-8-3-2-1
| 5. Porcupine Creek (5) J: Matthew Williamson 256T: Matthew Williamson | |||
| Honest enough in her last two starts. This field is no harder & she has claims. | |||
A step back in grade today for Step It Up A Notch (7) and the Carter Dalgety factor at play a little with the $1.45 quote. Should be able to monster this field though, will roll forward and look to keep them honest and shouldn’t have too many issues from there.
Selections: 7-8-5-4-6
| 7. Step It Up A Notch (7) J: Carter Dalgety 85423T: Lyndon Bond | |||
| Free falls back in grade after excellent placings. Clearly the one to beat. | |||
A Phil Williamson trained debutant in a maiden trot is usually all you need to see to get interested in one and with some tidy enough trial and workout form on the books, Yukon Gold (7) looks set to be very hard to beat here. Some nice types around though, so will need to do everything right to make it happen.
Selections: 7-14-5-10-1
| 7. Yukon Hill (7) J: Nathan Williamson T: Phil Williamson | |||
| Chased smart types in her latest trial. Looks poised for a nice debut. | |||
Back in form with a strong placing last week, Harold Hanover (9) at a nice each way quote. Goes best when tucked away for one run at them and looks set to get the right kind of trip from the inside of the second row. Can storm at them late.
Selections: 9-10-11-5-8
| 9. Harold Hanover (1) J: Hayden Douglas 23863T: Earl Swain | |||
| Honest again in his Ascot 3rd. Follows out handy chance & can threaten. | |||
Another momentous task ahead for He Aint Fakin (14) with another big handicap, one he can ill-afford to add to with a mistake. Trotting all the way seems to be the only requirement for him at this stage, if he gets it right, he’ll likely win this. But that’s a big if.
Selections: 14-11-13-12-4
| 14. He Aint Fakin (14) J: Brad Williamson p1817T: Phil Williamson | |||
| Got it wrong last start. Thrives at this track & the horse to beat. | |||
After racing himself into a really nice vein of form lately, Jaccka Elvis (9) can carry it on here without doubt. A little luck required from the draw, but if things pan out well and he gets his chance he’ll be running home stronger than anything else in the field.
Selections: 9-10-2-6-8
| 9. Jaccka Elvis (1) J: Brent Barclay 02311T: Brett Gray | |||
| In the zone recently. This grade is no harder than the last. Must respect. | |||
There’s been a lot of luck come the way of Hazer (3) lately, unfortunately none of it has been good. From being attacked in front, to getting no clear run up the straight. He’s going a lot better than the form would suggest. Into a winnable race here and if he can find the markers then he’s right in play at a massive quote.
Selections: 3-1-8-11-12
| 3. Hazer (3) J: Kerryn Tomlinson 80380T: Chris Gerken | |||
| No luck in his last two starts. Into a draw he should relish & rates highly. | |||