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 Invercargill Harness meeting on Sunday 25 October below:
Travelling south as part of the one of the most in form stables in the country at the moment, Okiwi Bay (6) looks very well placed here. Has been strong in some good fields up in Canterbury and this is a decent step back. Wouldn’t have to improve much, if at all, to be winning here.
Selections: 6-3-4-1-2
| 6. Okiwi Bay (6) 36754 | |||
| Tidy work in her last two Addington starts. Stable is running hot & must respect | |||
An inside draw for Crunchie Dale (1) should be ideal today after a strong first up run to kick off the new campaign. Not a whole lot of exposed form in here either so if able to hold up and be on the top end turning for home, should have them in trouble.
Selections: 1-8-3-7-5
| 1. Crunchie Dale (1) 800×3 | |||
| Straight into form with her fresh 3rd from this draw, track & distance. Rates. | |||
Backed as if unbeatable on debut, Tactical Chevron (3) did everything but win. Steps out here again a lot better for the experience and should really just need to get everything right to be a major player in what is a wide open trotting field.
Selections: 3-5-2-4-6
| 3. Tactical Chevron (3) 2 | |||
| Only nabbed late in his debut on this track. Well poised to go one better. | |||
Not a bad run in the form of Shezastranger (2) of late and a win looks close at hand. Has been strong in some very good fields and if anything this is a bit of a step back. Nice draw to use, so should be close to the speed and looks a decent each way play.
Selections: 2-4-7-8-6
| 2. Shezastranger (2) x2437 | |||
| Not too far away last start after nice top 4 efforts. Can return to placings. | |||
Got further back than anticipated at Oamaru last Sunday did Way Coola (1) and took no real part when well supported. Brilliant in the two wins before that and will be looking to bounce back to that kind of form again here. Good beginning and we’re on the way.
Selections: 1-7-8-2-5
| 1. Way Coola (1) 6119 | |||
| Nothing went right last start after excellent wins. Suited here & top pick. | |||
Few deserve a win more in Southland at the moment than Jaccka Henry (9). He’s racing really well and doing everything but get the nose in front first. Might fly under the radar here a little from the inside of the second row but with a bit of luck could sneak up on them.
Selections: 9-2-4-8-1
| 9. Jaccka Henry (1) 32235 | |||
| Racing in great heart. Draw query but it could pan out. Must include. | |||
There was pacer-like speed in the manner in which Duchess Maria (6) sped past all her rivals last Thursday to win and stepping up in distance today you’d expect her to be even more potent when having a crack at them. Too fast for anything here and only bad luck should stop her.
Selections: 6-5-7-4-3
| 6. Duchess Maria (6) x1x21 | |||
| Explosive latest win & faces a similar challenge. Will take a power of beating. | |||
A great confidence building win last time out in a lower grade from Secret Agent Man (1) as he builds back up from injury. Will go right on with the job and end up being quite a nice country cups type horse later in the season. Away well here and he will give them all plenty to chase.
Selections: 1-7-5-6-4
| 1. Secret Agent Man (1) 44×31 | |||
| Smart work in mobile win here. Serious threat in his stand debut. | |||
A revelation since joining the Darren Keast barn, Party Up Denario (10) chases a fourth straight win here. A little different than the previous three though thanks to the barrier draw but looks to be sky high with confidence at the moment and she should be hard to beat.
Selections: 10-4-6-7-8
| 10. Party Up Denario (2) 70111 | |||
| Powerful in heat win of this series. Draw brings new challenge but rates highly. | |||
Lovely first up run from Ideal Crown (3) here 10 days ago. Had to wait to clear a gap and once it came, the race was all over. Better for the run too and would expect her to jump right into her work today and prove very hard to stop.
Selections: 3-6-4-1-8
| 3. Ideal Crown (3) 122×2 | |||
| Ran on nicely when clear first up & bound to strip fitter. Must rate highly. | |||
