Matt Markham has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the nine races at the Alexandra Park Harness meeting on Friday 23 October below:
With runs under the belt now, you’d expect close to the best version of Merlin (5) to be stepping out tonight. He’s been OK without setting the world on fire in his resuming runs, but gets a chance for a confidence builder tonight. Expecting a confident drive early to get him on the speed and from there, he’s the one to beat.
Selections: 5-2-3-4-1
| 5. Merlin (5) J: Zachary Butcher 30×42 T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Two nice attempts since returning. Commands full respect on stellar career stats | |||
The money came big time on debut for Copy Book Landing (5) who was backed in from a double figure price to near favourite and they nearly pulled it off too. A really professional performance from a promising trotter and with that out of the way now he’s a big chance to go one better tonight.
Selections: 5-3-7-9-2
| 5. Copy Book Landing (5) J: Barry Purdon 2 T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Just denied 1st-up with good support. Looks hard to roll with that experience. | |||
Freshened after a promising start to the career, Go Jimmy Cassidy (6) returns here tonight. Didn’t have a lot of luck in that first preparation but wasn’t that far behind some pretty nice types. A bit of strengthening while away and a nice race to kick off in have him the horse to beat tonight.
Selections: 6-7-5-4-3
| 6. Go Jimmy Cassidy (6) J: James Stormont 2742 T: Graeme Rogerson | |||
| Luckless early in career before a bold 2nd to smart type, Trial winner; include. | |||
Not a sliver of form to speak about, but there’s never been any issues with the motor side of things for Amendment (7). Shows plenty of promise and a shift to the North Island might open the door for things to get right back on track. One to keep an eye on going forward.
Selections: 7-2-4-1-5
| 7. Amendment (7) J: Crystal Hackett 0x0px T: Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett | |||
| Newcomer to the Wallis/Hackett barn after having troubles in Canty. Has ability. | |||
Excellent return to racing from Field Of Gold (2) here a couple of weeks ago and will have derived plenty of benefit from that too. Grabs a nice draw to use tonight and if able to find the markers early and track throughout then looks like the one they’ll all need to beat.
Selections: 2-4-10-8-9
| 2. Field Of Gold (2) J: Harrison Orange 8×2 T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Run down as fave here, 9 Oct. Grabs another close draw and should go close again | |||
Super run first up from a spell by classy trotting filly Our Col (7) and she’ll have come on leaps and bounds from that too. Had no right to finish as close as she did on that occasion and it sets up for a good campaign. She’ll need to be good tonight though, some nice types in and around her but the class takes her close.
Selections: 7-6-3-4-1
| 7. Our Col (7) J: Tony Herlihy 321×2 T: Tony Herlihy | |||
| Overcame break to just miss, 9 Oct. 2nd-up tonight and can revenge that defeat. | |||
A lot to like about the first two runs back from a spell by Cyclone Rebel (7). He’s returned in fantastic order and should be nearing peak fitness levels now. Good field tonight, but he’s going well enough to stalk the speed and get home over the top of them all at a decent price.
Selections: 7-5-3-1-4
| 7. Cyclone Rebel (7) J: Tony Herlihy 7×422 T: Tate Hopkins | |||
| Beaten by 2 nice types in recent attempts here. Gets another opportunity; danger | |||
Two mistakes in the last two appearances by Franco Ronalda (8) will have dented punter’s confidence a little. He’d been so good prior too. Hopefully the manners are there tonight and he can put it all together and remind everyone again just how good he is.
Selections: 8-11-3-9-4
| 8. Franco Ronaldo (8) J: Tony Herlihy 31106 T: Tony Herlihy | |||
| Lost his manners following impressive pair of wins here. Mobile helps; must have | |||
Not a lot of luck last time out for Georgie Best (8) but he’d been so good in the two runs prior that it’s hard to ignore him here. A little more luck in the running, or perhaps having luck taken out of the equation and he’d be too good for this field.
Selections: 8-7-5-1-2
| 8. Georgie Best (8) J: Crystal Hackett 5×120 T: Nathan Purdon | |||
| Resumed in style & copped a tough trip when last here. Threat despite marble. | |||
