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 Winton Harness meeting on Sunday 23 August below:
Fresh up from a spell and likely to improve with racing but boy Massive Merc (5) slides in here nicely. He’s a rating 44 taking on a field of rating 35 runners and as a winner of two of his last three starts looks really tough to roll. Two public runs to be ready and should just be too good for them.
Selections: 5-4-3-1-2
| 5. Massive Merc (5) J: Craig Ferguson x110xT: Craig Ferguson | |||
| Strong work in his trials to prepare. Should take plenty of stopping. | |||
A newcomer to the deep south after two starts up in Canterbury, Franco Newark (1) had shown enough in his trial runs to suggest he’d win a race easily enough and into a new barn in a new region he looks well placed here today. Good draw, right driver. Ticks the boxes.
Selections: 1-4-5-3-7
| 1. Franco Newark (1) J: Blair Orange 86T: Tony Stratford | |||
| Shifted south after steady start to career. Keep safe from the ace draw. | |||
A superb effort from Luxmi (8) a fortnight ago when running second in a fresh state. Can only be better for that run and with a bit more fuel in the tank looks a great chance of grabbing victory here. A bit of luck required from the wide draw, but well in comission.
Selections: 8-5-7-11-6
| 8. Luxmi (8) J: Mark Hurrell 41×2T: Darren Keast | |||
| Just missed in her fresh 2nd. Looms large despite challenging draw. | |||
There might not be a more exciting up and coming trotter in the country at the moment than Redback Bob (6). A big winner on debut, he backed that up with a performance probably five times better second up and there’s scope for him to trot right toward the top of the age group later in the year. Should make it three-from-three.
Selections: 6-5-3-4-2
| 6. Redback Bob (6) J: Nathan Williamson 11T: Phil Williamson | |||
| Has looked all class in his two wins so far. Very hard to hold out. | |||
Huge victory on debut here earlier in the month by Rakmacknra (2). Ran away and hid from them inside the final 400m and did it without raising a sweat. Steps up here, but lands a great draw and should be on the speed and right in the fight for a very long way once again.
Selections: 2-13-4-6-5
| 2. Rakmacknra (2) J: Max Hill 1T: Nathan Williamson | |||
| Powerful in his debut on this track. Should take plenty of holding out. | |||
Think the short course racing really suits Rise Up N Dance (5) and he was so good winning a heat of this series that he looks right on song to win the final as well. Handy enough draw and if he presses forward and takes control then he’ll be hard to peg back.
Selections: 5-11-10-6-7
| 5. Rise Up N Dance (5) J: Brad Williamson p2721T: Nathan Williamson | |||
| Deserved his recent win here. Tougher grade but has the game to threaten. | |||
Has trotted her way into a great vein of form lately and there’s no reason, even from the wide draw, why Delphyne (8) can’t make it three wins on end. A filly who will contest the riches on offer later in the season if she gets any kind of luck she’ll be hard to beat.
Selections: 8-4-6-11-10
| 8. Delphyne (8) J: Nathan Williamson x3011T: Brent McIntyre | |||
| Excellent in her recent wins. Faces draw challenge must still rates highly. | |||
A very classy return to the winners’ circle last time out by Indulge Me (10) but probably no surprise given the quality of filly that she is. Same kind of grade here and while drawn a little trickier, her high speed is potent and with a chance to unleash she’ll have no problems in dashing to victory.
Selections: 10-5-4-1-3
| 10. Indulge Me (2) J: Nathan Williamson 23521T: Nathan Williamson | |||
| Excellent in her win on this track & should only strip fitter. Rates highly. | |||
Mathematically it was impossible for Becky’s Girl (8) to finish any closer than what she did last time out. Trotting super and just needs a little racing luck to turn her good form into winning form. Wide draw is a small concern but bad luck might be a thing of the past for her now and she’s right in play.
Selections: 8-10-3-7-6
| 8. Becky’s Girl (8) J: Matthew Williamson 3×183T: Phil Williamson | |||
| Charged late in her Ascot 3rd. Class act with the game to overcome tough draw. | |||
Not a lot of luck through the series for Cracker Opie (12) but a nice time to stand up and turn that around would be today. Some work to do from the second row but with a nice drag into it or space at the right time is capable of getting home over the top of them all here.
Selections: 12-9-6-10-11
| 12. Cracker Opie (4) J: Kerryn Tomlinson 25166T: Brad Williamson | |||
| Luckless last start but excellent prior. Must be respected. E/W. | |||
