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 Geraldine Harness meeting on Sunday 20 September below:
Perhaps the only surprising thing about the first campaign of Aldebaran Lobell (4) was that a maiden win didn’t come with it. Ran some cracking races, against good opposition, but just couldn’t break through. Time looked set to be a friend and judging by the trial looks set to kick off on the right note.
Selections: 4-1-7-5-12
| 4. Aldebaran Lobell (4) J: Bob Butt 322x T: Bob Butt | |||
| 3 placings from 3 starts last campaign. Placed in recent trial and looks likely. | |||
Picked up the feet in the slop and charged through the line at Methven for another good placing and a win looks close at hand for Carrera Bravo (10). This draw might not work out too bad and if able to get a bit of luck at the right moment can have the final say and win.
Selections: 10-8-2-12-1
| 10. Carrera Bravo (1) J: Sarah O’Reilly 72652 T: Brent & Tim White | |||
| Less than 2L from Meth winner after being eased. Can feature if the gaps appear. | |||
For 2350m on debut, Moeraki (1) looked a winner, but was just unable to stay in the gait right to the finish line. Clearly has a big motor and will get better with racing but if able to get away quickly from the inside here and stay down trotting then becomes the horse to beat.
Selections: 1-6-7-8-12
| 1. Moeraki (1) J: Ben Hope d T: Greg & Ben Hope | |||
| Costly for punters when breaking in front at Ash 1st-up. Can atone with manners. | |||
Some nice efforts of late from Rosario (1) and lands a beautiful draw in the right kind of race here. Should press forward early and hold a good position throughout and wouldn’t need to go any better on the speed here to be a major winning chance at a very nice price.
Selections: 1-2-9-7-8
| 1. Rosario (1) J: Sam Thornley 34218 T: Ross Houghton | |||
| Took full use of a cushy sit to end run of minors at Ash and solid since. Danger | |||
Some really nice performances in trials from debutant Crunchie (4) leading into today and there’s all the right signs to suggest a win first up is likely. Looks a sensible horse with a big motor and if able to get onto the speed from the handy draw then should be well on the way.
Selections: 4-3-6-10-5
| 4. Crunchie (4) J: Samantha Ottley T: Denise Ottley | |||
| Has shown up over a solid prep and trainer knows this course well. Must include. | |||
Big run without all favours at Addington last week by Moolite CC (4) and slides in here really nicely with visiting North Island horsewoman Crystal Hackett in the bike. Handy draw and an even field means a positive drive early should net a positive result at the other end of the race.
Selections: 4-10-5-3-6
| 4. Moonlite CC (4) J: Crystal Hackett 42043 T: Andrew Stuart | |||
| Looking to remain unbeaten here after Dec ’25 success. Game at Add & major hope. | |||
An early mistake at Oamaru last week put an end to any hope Holly Highlander (3) had of success but back on the grass here should be right back in her element. A quick beginning and a run just off the speed will bring her right into play and she looks a strong each way chance.
Selections: 3-1-11-4-6
| 3. Holly Highlander (3) J: Hayden Douglas 85820 T: Kevin Fairbairn | |||
| Win here back in ’24 was one of 8 on surface. Can bounce back from Oam mistake. | |||
There’s been a whole lot of luck for Unico Realta (14) this time in but none of it has been good luck. Going great races, but just not grabbing the slice of the green needed to turn good form into winning form. Bit of work to do here from the outside of the second row but with a nice trip into can get home over the top of them.
Selections: 14-8-1-2-13
| 14. Unico Realta (5) J: Jacob Dunn 75724 T: Robert & Jenna Dunn | |||
| No hope from rear over Meth mile. Can grab the last say with a tow into this. | |||
Talented three-year-old Tee Ball (10) makes his grass track debut here but does so with some wonderful form on the board. Placed in behind Franco Ankara two starts back and a bold second last week behind Playing With Stars. Gets away well and if able to find the front should be winning this.
Selections: 10-2-8-7-3
| 10. Tee Ball (10) J: Robbie Close 76432 T: Anne-Marie & Jack Best | |||
| Just thwarted at Add and has the quality to push hard today. Needed everywhere. | |||
After a bit of a hit and miss patch of form there for a while, Val Thorens (2) appears to be finding the right groove and can really go on with it too. A good beginning today from the low down draw should net the right kind of run from which to be awfully hard to beat.
Selections: 2-1-7-4-9
| 2. Val Thorens (2) J: Ben Hope 80321 T: Greg & Ben Hope | |||
| Trotting consistently now and can offer plenty again despite the rise in ratings | |||
Tripped up by the tricky nature of the track at Methven first up in the South, happy to give The Night Agent (13) a miss for that one. Was expected to go very close then and punters should probably go again, even from the tricky draw.
Selections: 13-11-8-3-12
| 13. The Night Agent (4) J: Seth Hill 790×0 T: Bob Butt | |||
| Costly in tough conditions at Meth. Has the game to put away this field. On top. | |||
