Matt Markham has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the 11 races at the Cambridge Harness meeting on Friday 14 August below:
The ultimate version of consistency at the moment, Twist And Tango (6) is doing everything, but win a race. Some superb performances behind very good types in the last six weeks and finds a very winnable race tonight with the sliding blinds going on. That might be enough to get home first.
Selections: 6-4-7-8-3
| 6. Twist And Tango (6) J: Harrison Orange 23322T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Produced another solid effort in Auckland defeat last Friday. Clear on top pick. | |||
After a big win two starts back, Tatanka (9) was a march toward the lead again last time out before rolling into a gallop. Still learning a lot about the game so happy to forgive that. A complete set of manners here tonight and should be right in the fight in the small field.
Selections: 9-1-7-4-6
| 9. Tatanka (9) J: Andre Poutama 2×219T: Scott Dickson | |||
| Costly mistake 2 weeks ago. Scored handsomely 17Jul. Can make amends tonight. | |||
Two runs to the race from Awesome Choice (8) and they’ve both been in very good fields. Still has a lot to learn and will clearly benefit from the run, but any luck from the wide draw and might simply be a little too good for them here at a nice price.
Selections: 8-3-1-2-5
| 8. Awesome Choice (8) J: Andre Poutama 38T: Jason Teaz | |||
| Forget 15May Auckland episode. Gutsy debut 3rd there. Leave out at own peril. | |||
In a wide open trotting affair, Home Grown Girl (6) looks the one with the highest ceiling based off what we have seen so far in the career. A nice trip in transit here and would expect her to be charging toward success late in the piece and can certainly grab it too.
Selections: 6-3-9-4-5
| 6. Home Grown Girl (6) J: Taitlyn Hanara 01308T: David & Clare McGowan | |||
| Returns to the Waikato where she was successful 4 starts back. Each way chance. | |||
Unbeaten in public runs ahead of tonight’s debut, Seaside Elegance (11) looks every bit a quick winner. Meets a very good maiden field here, so will need to be good. But has been largely untested in her trials and there’s more to play with. A nice run through from the second row and should be winning.
Selections: 11-3-2-10-7
| 11. Seaside Elegance (3) J: Sailesh Abernethy T: Jeremy Young | |||
| Unbeaten Downbytheseaside trialist on debut. Sure to have admirers on that. | |||
Some big efforts of late from Paramount Spur (6) and is closing in quickly on another victory. Massive last week at Auckland when only collared late by a smart one and as long as the manners are there he should be on the speed and hard to stop.
Selections: 6-9-1-3-10
| 6. Paramount Spur (6) J: Josh Dickie x42d2T: John Dickie | |||
| Gallant run in Auckland defeat last Friday. Runner-up this course 17Jul. Rates. | |||
A very tidy first up run from a spell by Shesgold (8) and with natural improvement should be really hard to contain here, even from the wide draw. Does generally need the right kind of run, but has been in much better fields than this during the career and something near the best would be good enough.
Selections: 8-10-9-7-3
| 8. Shesgold (8) J: Crystal Hackett 267×3T: Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett | |||
| Produced a gritty placing in Auckland resumption. Open to improvement. Threat. | |||
After a strong first up second placing, War Chief (5) was great winning second up in a strong field. Can only get better with the racing too and from the front line draw here, looks set to roll forward and look to control this from the inside and with own terms will be hard to stop.
Selections: 5-3-1-7-6
| 5. War Chief (5) J: Scott Phelan 30×21T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Plenty to like about 24Jul Auckland victory. No reason why he can’t double up. | |||
Back to Cambridge for the dour Mick Konstantin (1) and he lands an ideal barrier draw to work from too. Loves getting out and rolling and if able to hold up early then looks set to do just that. On the speed and controlling things, he’ll be really hard to catch.
Selections: 1-9-7-11-8
| 1. Mick Konstantin (1) J: Jay Abernethy 35876T: Jay Abernethy | |||
| Look past recent form. Ideally drawn tonight to look for an all-the-way success. | |||
We haven’t seen the best of Sammy Lincoln (9) for a while now, but the signs of improvement were there in last week’s fourth at Alexandra Park. Drops back in grade here too and while needing luck from the second row, that might be the ideal set up. Look for him late.
Selections: 9-1-2-4-5
| 9. Sammy Lincoln (1) J: Matthew White 49694T: Ray Green & Nathan Delany | |||
| Sound Auckland run 7 days ago. Beaten favourite this venue prior. Place options. | |||
Some strong recent form from Franco Miki (6) and into the amateur grade tonight he should be ready to turn that into winning form. Wouldn’t need to go much better, just needs to find himself the right kind of trip to be ready to pounce when the opportunity comes.
Selections: 6-7-8-4-5
| 6. Franco Miki (6) J: Jeff Darby 34375T: David Butcher | |||
| Produced a sound effort a fortnight ago. Looks a very good each way chance. | |||

