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 Timaru Harness meeting on Sunday 27 September below:
Plenty have been waiting a while for the debut of Grandad Don (7), he’s a promising trotter from the John Morrison stable who has looked well above average in his workouts and trials. Clean gaited and good mannered he might just trot to the front and not look back today. If he does, they’ll need to be really good to beat him.
Selections: 7-13-6-3-2
| 7. Grandad Don (7) |
Career best effort at Addington last time out from Bettabe Lou (3) and she really looks to be really starting to find her rhythm as a racehorse. Nice draw to use today and likely to get up onto the speed and keep things interesting. A great chance to break through.
Selections: 2-6-7-11-2
| 3. Bettabe Lou (3) 45403 |
A couple of really big runs from Olympian (7) in the last couple of efforts. Has been forced to sit parked in both and hasn’t thrown the towel in for very good placings. Is going to pick one up quick enough and today’s assignment looks ideal. His chance.
Selections: 7-6-5-1-4
| 7. Olympian (7) 45232 |
A sharp first-up effort for a very long time at Oamaru by Teddy The Terror (2) and he’ll take immense benefit out of that too. Nice draw to use here and he can punch forward and be handy throughout and with natural improvement looks the horse to beat.
Selections: 2-1-3-4-8
| 2. Teddy The Terror (2) 503×3 |
He’s a bit of a talent, Landman (11) but he’s had some issues in the short career to date too. Could be one of the best in the age group if everything goes sweet from here on and for that reason he really should be winning this today. Just needs to trot early and get himself into the speed.
Selections: 11-1-5-12-4
| 11. Landman (11) 1dx |
A three-year-old filly dropping out of some very good races lately, Start Me Up (3) looks well placed here. She was tidy behind Secret Wish at Oamaru after getting back in the running but likely to land a lot closer here today and with the fitness right up, she should be the one to beat.
Selections: 3-7-10-1-5
| 3. Start Me Up (3) 8×656 |
We don’t quite know yet just how good Tact Teva (6) could be but all the signs are there that he’s headed to bigger and better things. Small field here suits and if he can get away well from the standing start then he should be driven like the best horse in the race and duly deliver.
Selections: 6-7-4-2-3
| 6. Tact Teva (6) 13115 |
A really nice each way play here in Lester (9) who has been good without a whole lot of luck of late. Comes out of some really good races over the past few months in behind the likes of JT Boe, Eun Sogno and Dreams Are Free and goes well at Timaru. A slick beginning and luck at the right time and he’s right in it.
Selections: 9-14-5-10-8
| 9. Lester (9) 96667 |
A smart trotting mare back for a new campaign, Amistozo (14) has done a strong job in her short career to date. Taken on some smart fields and hasn’t been disgraced. Might need a run to really get herself into a groove but more than good enough to win this race in a fresh state.
Selections: 14-7-4-3-2
| 14. Amistozo (14) 17355 |
He really developed into quite a nice horse earlier in the year did King’s Command (6) and with a bit more time on his side might be ready to really knuckle down now. Two trials to prepare and the last one was very nice. Good race to kick off in and he looks a great bet to end the day.
Selections: 6-3-4-9-7
| 6. King’s Command (6) 9231x |