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 Timaru Harness meeting on Sunday 25 October below:
Unseen since coming from last at the top of the straight to win at Addington, Help Me (5) returns here and should be in for a good campaign. He’s a serious horse with a big motor and will take on some good challenges in the next few months. Small field suits, he just needs to be able to wind up in time.
Selections: 5-7-6-3-2
| 5. Help Me (5) 22121 | |||
| Stirring win at Add, 4 Sept adding to impeccable form-line. Clearly on top here. | |||
Another to have had a freshen up since he last raced, Carrera Bravo (7) is going good enough to win a maiden race easily enough but just needs that little bit of luck to make it happen. Looking for a bit from the draw here but is sharp enough to reel this field in if given the chance.
Selections: 7-2-12-1-6
| 7. Carrera Bravo (7) 26528 | |||
| Back in trial since moderate Orari attempt. Draw against but rough first 4 hope. | |||
An encouraging debut at Methven when beaten by a smart one by Southerly (5). Had shown there was ability there and took it to the races too. Should go on with it and pick one up pretty quick and if the manners are there then today looks a great opportunity.
Selections: 5-12-6-2-11
| 5. Southerly (5) 3 | |||
| Narrowly denied in Meth debut. Natural improvement makes him hard to roll here. | |||
First starters out of the Steven McRae barn always grab attention and Eternity Franco (1) is no different. Has looked pretty good in the public runs and comes up with a great draw to work from here. If close enough turning for home should get them all for speed.
Selections: 1-12-8-7-11
| 1. Eternity Franco (1) | |||
| Held after finding the lead early in recent trial. Big hope if he can stay handy | |||
A nice wee slide back in grade here for John Stewart (11) who wasn’t that far away in a very good field at the Akaroa meeting behind Tact Teva. Needs to get the stand right, but has the right driver in the bike to get into the race and run them ragged if given the chance.
Selections: 11-5-9-10-8
| 11. John Stewart (11) x0205 | |||
| Gutsy as always at Meth. Safe beginning the key to his chances but can prevail. | |||
Given he wasn’t that far behind the very exciting Captain Wolf at Addington last week, King’s Command (10) does really pick himself in this line up. Third up today from a spell and appears to be ready to strike. Just needs a little fortune from the inside of the second row but can make his own luck and still win.
Selections: 10-11-5-8-14
| 10. King’s Command (1) 31×25 | |||
| Fought hard at HQ, 9 Oct. Won’t be at those luxurious odds today despite 2nd row | |||
Very brave run in the Akaroa Cup from Iron Brigade (8) and a good 3000m hit out on the grass will have brought him right up to peak fitness. A few to get around here but he’s good enough to make his own luck when he needs too and should be hard to stop.
Selections: 8-2-7-3-4
| 8. Iron Brigade (8) 43×83 | |||
| Big run off 35m at Meth. With improved fitness he can push hard in this. E/W. | |||
Ended up doing a super job in the first campaign before heading to the paddock and with a bit of time on the side expect Heza Cool Dude (2) to pick up where he left off. Chance to jump and run here from the good draw and be handy throughout and his natural ability should take him the rest of the way.
Selections: 2-5-14-11-12
| 2. Heza Cool Dude (2) 0422x | |||
| Spelled back in May after strong 2nds. Looking to retain record on home track. | |||
Sharp filly Admor Ella (1) returns here having won on debut before taking on Cherish Me and going well in her next two starts. Really good trial at Ashburton last week to ready for this and as long as the one draw doesn’t prove a hindrance, she can win first up.
Selections: 1-10-9-4-12
| 1. Admor Ella (1) 135x | |||
| Lightly-raced 3yo returning on the back of 12 Oct trial win. Looks hard to hold. | |||