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 Oamaru Harness meeting on Sunday 16 August below:
Two great runs to open the new campaign from Gotta Lather Up (6) and a win looks pretty close at hand. Stays in the same kind of grade and with a front line draw should be in all the right places to launch an attack on this one.
Selections: 6-11-2-12-1
| 6. Gotta Lather Up (6) J: Robbie Close 37×32T: Wendy Stevenson | |||
| Strong work in his first two runs this prep. Bright hopes with key gate speed. | |||
A lovely bred debutante, Miss Sunny Hill (2) has shown plenty of the family ability in workouts and trials up in Canterbury ahead of today’s debut and with a good beginning here should be on the speed early and not looking back. Dangerous if stalking when they turn for home.
Selections: 2-1-3-9-4
| 2. Miss Sunny Hill (2) J: Blair Orange T: Regan Todd | |||
| Brings strong trial form to her debut. Looks poised for a strong showing. | |||
An eye-catching effort late at Ashburton last Sunday from Blu Diamond (6). Had to wait for the gaps to come but really charged through the line when they did. Small field here really suits and if able to find clear air a little earlier then should have the final say.
Selections: 6-3-1-7-2
| 6. Blu Diamond (6) J: Ricky May 34482T: Ricky May | |||
| Tidy chase in his Ashburton 2nd. A repeat effort has him in the mix. | |||
Two very strong performances to open the new campaign by Suspicious Captain (7) and a winning turn looks close at hand. Showed last week that there’s enough there to make his own luck if required and if gets onto the speed then he’ll take plenty of stopping.
Selections: 7-4-2-11-10
| 7. Suspicious Captain (7) J: Kimberly Butt 38×42T: Cran & Chrissie Dalgety | |||
| Close up in Addington company recently. Draw looks his only concern. Include. | |||
Really big effort last time out from Heaven’s Mark (12) after moving mid-race to sit parked for the final lap. That was a in strong Friday night field at Addington behind Utah Jazz and was third the start prior fresh up behind Bryce’s Meddle. Step back here and her high speed should have her right in play.
Selections: 12-8-11-10-4
| 12. Heaven’s Mark (12) J: John Morrison 40×35T: John Morrison | |||
| Worked & fought on in her Addington 5th. Sure to be fitter now. Include. | |||
A returning run here today for Help Me (7) after a short let up, but did some really nice things late before the break. Still getting the head around the trotting game but will keep getting better and better with racing and has enough talent to win this wide open trot.
Selections: 7-3-2-8-1
| 7. Help Me (7) J: Ricky May 3d322T: Warren Stapleton | |||
| Solid trial after brief freshener. Excellent form prior & big claims here. | |||
Bonus run in the grade for Adamas (3) after a really good win at Ashburton last Sunday in a penalty free race. Has come back in great nick and is capable of doing things in a multitude of different ways. Good draw plays a part here and best version wins again.
Selections: 3-6-5-11-1
| 3. Adamas (3) J: Robbie Holmes 1×321T: Robbie Holmes | |||
| Kept coming to score at Ashburton. Tougher grade here but deserves respect. | |||
One of the more exciting up and coming trotters in the country, Tarragindi (10) faces a big task off the back mark here, but his raw speed and talent will take him right into the race and if he’s on the speed turning for home it’s going to take a good effort to better him.
Selections: 10-1-2-3-6
| 10. Tarragindi (10) J: Nathan Williamson x2112T: Phil Williamson | |||
| Class runner of this field off a realistic handicap. Hard to hold out. | |||
Headed for bigger and better things in his career and on talent alone J T Boe (10) would win this today without too much fuss. But, the standing start opens the door for others. He’s been getting them wrong and adding more to his task. Can’t afford to do that here. Catch it right though and he should win.
Selections: 10-9-7-2-8
| 10. J T Boe (10) J: Tim Williams 11×51T: Steve & Amanda Telfer | |||
| Tidy trial after strong Addington victory. Has the motor to threaten this field. | |||
Talented and zippy pacer Crackle N Crunch (7) was great first up last time out when running third to Heaven. That form has been franked with another win for him since too. Fitness building and a wide open field here, he might be able to dominate from the top end.
Selections: 7-11-8-12-3
| 7. Crackle N Crunch (7) J: Gemma Thornley 103×3T: David Mitchell | |||
| Running on nicely from similar tough draw first up. Major win threat. | |||