Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Winton Harness on Sunday 9 November.
Handy mare Babe On The Beach (4) resumes here off the back of a good spell and a nice build up for Craig Ferguson. Has taken on much better fields than this in the past and with those public runs under the belt should have the edge on rivals here today.
Selections: 4-2-6-3-5
| 4. Babe On The Beach (4) J: Craig Ferguson 4418xT: Craig Ferguson |
A lot to like about the debut effort of Side Hustle (5) at Oamaru in a very good field last time out. Better for that experience and with it under the belt should be able to make a serious play for success here today. Good field but looks a strong winning chance.
Selections: 5-4-3-1-8
| 5. Side Hustle (5) J: Brent Barclay 4T: Brett Gray |
Knocking on the door of another success off the back of a handful of very good runs since resuming Close (10) looks beautifully placed here. Lands Blair Orange in a heat of the World Drivers’ Championship and he knows the horse well. Awfully hard to beat even from the second row.
Selections: 10-6-1-4-7
| 10. Close (10) J: Blair Orange 72234T: Brian Norman |
Not much gone right for Axel Rose (14) since a dominant maiden victory but there’s been eye-catching efforts late. Needs to do everything right here and can’t afford to miss a beat but should have the measure of this field with a complete round.
Selections: 14-9-3-12-13
| 14. Axel Rose (7) J: Matthew Williamson 1304T: Matthew Williamson |
Caught the eye with a strong finish last time out when second up and Hogie (1) sets up really well today from the good draw. Would expect a confident drive early to try and find the right spot and with a bit of luck and a cold shot at them late can get the job done.
Selections: 1-9-4-11-10
| 1. Hogie (1) J: Blair Orange 1px75T: Michael Williams |
Hasn’t done anything wrong in the career to date and Franco Seb (10) lands in a pretty winnable race here today. Has to come off the second row but looks capable of doing that and a good run through early will only help the chances too. A strong chance.
Selections: 10-8-2-5-1
| 10. Franco Seb (10) J: Craig Ferguson 53T: Craig Ferguson |
Enigmatic trotter La Dama (3) could just turn up here and trot them off the race track but there’s a chance too that she could cost herself too. Good draw might help and if she finds the front and can bowl along then they’ll do well to run her down.
Selections: 3-7-5-8-9
| 3. La Dama (3) J: Mats Djuse 17×25T: Tony Stratford |
Really good runs in some really good fields of late from Beluga (5) and should find this a much easier assignment although up against some nice types. Fourth up from a spell so the fitness levels will be at peak and with plenty of options early definitely looks one of the leading chances.
Selections: 5-2-8-3-4
| 5. Beluga (5) J: Craig Ferguson 1×223T: Craig Ferguson |
Got the job done last time out and Passchendaele (7) can do it again here too. A nice progressive pacer who is going to win plenty of races and while draw a little wide here has Blair Orange in the bike to make things happen. Looks a great bet to end the day.
Selections: 7-3-9-2-8
| 7. Passchendaele (7) J: Blair Orange 34221T: Nathan Williamson |