Matt Markham has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the 10 races at the Alexandra Park Harness meeting on Friday 28 August below:
Talented filly Wat Next (3) begins her next campaign here tonight for Nathan Purdon. She’s shown glimpses of brilliance at times during her short career and has spent a lot of it chasing some very good types. Graded race tonight and it looks one well within range. Her race to lose.
Selections: 3-4-9-10-7
| 3. Wat Next (3) J: Mark Purdon 3680xT: Nathan Purdon | |||
| Nice filly who has had two w’out placings prior to tonight’s resumption. On top. | |||
Big effort to finish third on debut by Franco Ronaldo (5) after an early gallop and the hope here is he’s learnt a lot from the experience and gets the rhythm quickly tonight. Clearly has a big motor but against some talented stablemates, he can’t afford to miss a beat.
Selections: 5-3-9-8-1
| 5. Franco Ronaldo (5) J: Tony Herlihy 3T: Tony Herlihy | |||
| Did a super job after early mistake 1st-up. In commission with that experience. | |||
Two runs to the races in the first campaign by We Will Rise Again (4) and both were thirds behind superstar 2YO Tour Party. That form should stack up beautifully in a maiden race and with a trial under the belt he looks hard to hold out here.
Selections: 4-7-5-3-1
| 4. We Will Rise Again (4) J: Scott Phelan 33xT: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Bold 3rds behind Tour Party back in March. Recent trial winner and major player. | |||
A bit to like in the recent efforts of Chesinov (2) and while wins don’t come often, the performances have warranted another win at short notice. Has actually been best driven off the speed and charging home and with a sweet trip from a good draw here could look to have the final say.
Selections: 2-11-3-4-5
| 2. Chesinov (2) J: Luk Chin 56347T: Luk Chin | |||
| Tidy over 2700m, 21 Aug. Lean recent here but consider for 1st4 fringes tonight. | |||
A very strong introduction to life in the North Island by Blackjack (1) last time out at Cambridge and should really only be better for it. Finds a very winnable race tonight with the right draw and the right driver in the bike and should be fighting out the finish.
Selections: 1-2-7-3-8
| 1. Blackjack (1) J: Crystal Hackett 46243T: Matthew White | |||
| Northern debut was good and sure to race handy again. A must for combo players. | |||
Uncharacteristic mistake here last time out from the usually very safe and consistent Memories (2) so might just pay to put that one down as a bad at the office. Right kind of race today for him to get back into the groove and if he can land on the speed then he should be in the fight for a very long way.
Selections: 2-1-8-10-12
| 2. Memories (2) J: Todd Macfarlane 56220T: David & Clare McGowan | |||
| Late gate-break put paid to hopes 3 weeks ago here. Super prior; can atone here. | |||
Big winner here two starts back and then Just Us Two (1) was really good running second behind War Chief last time out. Lands the ace draw tonight in a field not quite as strong as some of the recent assignments and with the right kind of trip should be going close here.
Selections: 1-7-3-10-9
| 1. Just Us Two (1) J: Mark Purdon 2×312T: Nathan Purdon | |||
| Best of War Chief’s rivals, 24 July. Can utilise the ace tonight & go very close | |||
A really decent slide back in grade for The Surfer (11) tonight and most importantly a chance to start on even terms with his rivals after some handicap events. Will still need to be very good to win from the outside of the second row, but his class will carry him a very long way here.
Selections: 11-7-4-2-5
| 11. The Surfer (3) J: Tony Herlihy 9×766T: Arna Donnelly | |||
| Yet to place over this trip but has the class edge on rivals tonight. Upset hope | |||
A few weeks off for Youneverknow (5) after his emphatic victory here at the start of the month. Brilliant up and coming trotter with it all in front of him. Meets a good field tonight but if he brings his best then he should be a little too sharp for his rivals.
Selections: 5-10-3-7-4
| 5. Youneverknow (5) J: Tony Herlihy 3×131T: Tony Herlihy | |||
| In terrific touch this time in and looks set for further success. Hard to topple | |||
Bested by a pretty smart one at Cambridge in Nazare, War Chief (7) lost no admirers with his bold effort for second. Racing really well so far this campaign and should just keep getting better and better. Might try a different approach tonight and it would be interesting to see him coming from off the speed.
Selections: 7-1-3-5-8
| 7. War Chief (7) J: Scott Phelan 0x212T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Run down by trailing horse 2 weeks ago. Likely to push forward again; top pick. | |||
