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 Alexandra Park Harness meeting on Friday 4 September below:
Really good winning here last week, Wat Next (4) has set up for a strong campaign and can comfortably make it back-to-back victories tonight. Clearly some improvement to come with a run under the belt and in a smallish field with a good draw she should be right in the hunt.
Selections: 4-7-8-3-5
| 4. Wat Next (4) J: Mark Purdon 680×1T: Nathan Purdon | |||
| Too tough first-up 7 days ago and looks set for a profitable campaign. Top pick. | |||
A debutant from the Wallis/Hackett stable, Aldebaranmargareta (2) has looked above average in the public runs leading into tonight. Always a task fraught with danger finding a debut winner in a maiden trot but she seems pretty sensible and should be in this a long way with manners.
Selections: 2-9-10-5-4
| 2. Aldebaranmargareta (2) J: Crystal Hackett T: Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett |
Back on a new campaign, Georgie Best (5) always looked a horse who time was going to be a friend of. Has been given some of that and could be expected to kick off on the right foot here. Has a good draw to use and a positive drive early should have him on the speed and hard to catch.
Selections: 5-4-7-6-9
| 5. Georgie Best (5) J: Mark Purdon 0x65xT: Nathan Purdon |
An eye-catching effort here last week from Eye See You (7) in a fresh state and with a bit of fitness on the side, should be ready to strike. Big motor there to play with and if he can be close enough to launch an attack at the right time this week he might be too good for them at a price.
Selections: 7-9-1-8-10
| 7. Eye See You (7) J: Matthew White 877×6T: Paulette Screen |
There’s been some glimpses of brilliance from Tere (13) in the short career including a slashing effort late at Cambridge last time out. Getting it all together slowly but still a long way off being the full package. If the right version turns up here though, he’s a major player.
Selections: 13-12-4-2-10
| 13. Tere (5) J: Peter Ferguson 653T: Robert & Jenna Dunn |
Some really nice efforts from Shesgold (5) through the Silk Road series down at Cambridge. Chased hard in all three performances. Gets a chance here, back at Alex Park to turn good form into winning form and with a bit of luck early and a nice trip should be the one to beat.
Selections: 5-11-7-9-6
| 5. Shesgold (5) J: Crystal Hackett 7×322T: Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett |
One of the best of the rest behind a rampaging Tour Party earlier in the year, Coal Fire (2) resumes here and should pick up pretty quickly where he left off. Nice draw advantage over the key rivals which will have him in all the right places and hard to beat first up.
Selections: 2-6-4-8-3
| 2. Coal Fire (2) J: Mark Purdon 1122xT: Nathan Purdon |
An exciting up and coming trotter with it all ahead, Illicit Love (1) has been great so far this time in and should continue to go from strength-to-strength. The one barrier draw will be interesting early, but if able to get away and find a forward spot then should prove hard to beat.
Selections: 1-6-4-10-3
| 1. Illicit Love (1) J: Crystal Hackett 5×211T: Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett |
Super first up run at Cambridge from Daisy Bay (3) to finish fourth after landing in a tricky position back in the field. Classy filly with a big campaign ahead of her and with natural improvement she should be able to deliver for favourite backers tonight.
Selections: 3-12-9-8-7
| 3. Daisy Bay (3) J: Jacob Dunn 11×4T: Robert & Jenna Dunn |
Strong performances to open the campaign off tricky handicaps by Jeremiah (6). Back to even terms here tonight and likely to look to roll forward and be handy from the draw he should be able to showcase his class and have this field under his control from a long way out.
Selections: 6-7-3-5-4
| 6. Jeremiah (6) J: Zachary Butcher 1×223T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan |
Under estimated late by punters at Cambridge last time out, War Chief (9) made them pay with a dominant effort. Steps up here again, but has a chance to slip under the radar from the draw. Any kind of luck though and he’ll make sure they know he’s there.
Selections: 9-4-7-1-2
| 9. War Chief (1) J: Zachary Butcher x2121T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan |
