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 Cambridge Harness meeting on Friday 21 August below:
Another strong run from Shesgold (7) last week to continue the good return to the track. Should be reaching peak fitness now and wasn’t that far off Hill Billie Bundy last week and that little extra fitness should be enough to tip the scales in her favour.
Selections: 7-8-6-5-1
| 7. Shesgold (7) J: Crystal Hackett 67×32T: Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett | |||
| Tried hard when runner-up last Friday. Big chance to go one better this evening. | |||
After a couple of head-scratchers, Sammy Lincoln (2) has definitely looked back on track in the last couple of runs and was super last week when running second. A repeat of that here, in this field, should be enough to have him winning tonight, finally.
Selections: 2-6-4-5-10
| 2. Sammy Lincoln (2) J: Andre Poutama 96942T: Ray Green & Nathan Delany | |||
| Produced a bold performance in last Friday’s defeat. Drawn to go 1 better & can. | |||
Probably just OK last week by his usual consistent standards, but Brother Johnson (12) continues to slide back in grade and gets in here incredibly well. The best thing in his favour is manners. That can’t be said for the majority of rivals. So, he becomes a decent each way prospect.
Selections: 12-1-4-3-7
| 12. Brother Johnson (12) J: David Butcher 62476T: David Butcher | |||
| Battled away in last couple of assignments. Good 4th at Auckland 24Jul. Danger. | |||
One start to the races for Dino (6) for one victory and it was a good one too. Beat some pretty nice types and did it quite nicely. Given a bit of time since then but back to the trials and looked ready. Small field here suits and he deserves the short price-tag.
Selections: 6-2-3-5-1
| 6. Dino (6) J: Scott Phelan 1T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Created a good impression with his 12Jun Auckland debut success. Key player. | |||
A rare gallop when looking to find a sweet spot cost Shes All Legs (8) last time out. Ended up out at the back of the field instead of on the speed and was no chance from there. Prior form had been great and while wins don’t come often, this is the sort of race that they do appear in.
Selections: 8-6-3-2-9
| 8. Shes All Legs (8) J: Peter Ferguson 13520T: Peter & Vaughan Blanchard | |||
| An early error was costly last start. Solid performances prior. Can bounce back. | |||
Probably the best bred maiden in the country, No More Dreaming (2) has been good in two starts to the races this time in and with a workout win under the belt looks ready to finally strike. Lands a good draw to work from and if able to control things from the top then will be hard to stop.
Selections: 2-8-9-11-12
| 2. No More Dreaming (2) J: Harrison Orange 7×35T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Freshened. Workout winner 11Aug home in 56.6 & 27.1. Should be winning. | |||
Another nicely bred maiden here in Pebbles (2) who steps out at the races for the first time. She’s been striding out at trials quite impressively and looks a pretty quick winner. Some nice types here, but from the good draw looks set to be on the speed and right in contention for a very long way.
Selections: 2-3-1-10-9
| 2. Pebbles (2) J: Scott Phelan T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Always B Miki newcomer that’s won a couple of trials in good fashion. Each way. | |||
A really strong start to the racing career from War Party (5) and he should only keep getting better with races under the belt as well. Finds another winnable race here and from the handy enough draw would be expected to get forward at some point and control this. The one to beat.
Selections: 5-6-2-3-7
| 5. War Party (5) J: Harrison Orange 311T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Freshened. Really good Auckland successes 26Jun & 10Jul. Good each way hope. | |||
No shame in defeat last time out by Jeremiah (9) was really brave and only bettered by a pretty smart one. Another good chance here today for him though and if he catches the stand right then should get ahead of his biggest rival and be hard to hold out.
Selections: 9-10-8-1-4
| 9. Jeremiah (9) J: Scott Phelan 71×22T: Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan | |||
| Gallant effort in 7Aug Auckland defeat. 2nd to American Me there fresh. Rates. | |||
Another super effort here last week from Very Majestic (9) and she’s going to find the winners’ circle again pretty quickly based off that. Tonight looks a great chance with no Paramount Spur and if she can fly the tapes and land handy enough to the speed then she’ll be running home stronger than anything else.
Selections: 9-7-5-8-3
| 9. Very Majestic (9) J: Peter Ferguson 24132T: Robert & Jenna Dunn | |||
| Produced another strong effort when runner-up 7-days ago. Quinella’s-First4’s. | |||
Quite the impressive last start victory from B Envious (5) and it certainly signalled that there are better things to come still. Finds another winnable race with a handy enough draw and if able to find the front and control things then should take some running down.
Selections: 5-2-9-4-1
| 5. B Envious (5) J: James Stormont 3×431T: Derek & Neita Balle | |||
| Built well to Auckland maiden win 24Jul. Will meet with healthy support on that. | |||
