Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Timaru Harness on Wednesday 7 January.  Timaru Harness Race 1 1 Jazzy’s Upstart Just got too far back at Motukarara last week but the prior runs of Jazzy’s Upstart (1) signalled another win isn’t too far away with some really strong efforts. Ace draw is a huge plus here and with a sweet trip just off the speed she can have the final say.  Selections: 1-4-6-7-3  Timaru R1 Open Race time:  1. Jazzys Upstart (1) J: Sarah O’Reilly 05560T: Brent & Tim White 2.15WIN 1.14PLACE Sound at Mot from well back after being unlucky prior. All-weather & ace…

Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Cromwell Harness on Tuesday 6 January.  Cromwell Harness Race 1 9 What’s The Whisper No match for the winner at Omakau, but the effort for second by What’s The Whisper (9) was good enough to suggest that a win isn’t too far away. Was first up then too so should take natural improvement and with good manners will be in play for a very long way.  Selections: 9-6-10-5-2  Cromwell R1 Open Race time:  9. What’s The Whisper (0) J: Phil Williamson 378×2T: Phil Williamson 4.00WIN 1.55PLACE Nice work in his fresh 2nd at Omakau. Should only strip…

Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Tauherenikau Harness on Friday, January 2. Tauherenikau Race 1 5 Koko Kaboom  Bit of work to do from the 50m handicap but this is a whole lot easier for Koko Kaboom (5) than some of his more recent assignments. Should be able to eat up the margin pretty quickly and if he’s ranging into inside the final half of the race he’ll be hard to hold out. Selections: 5-7-6-3-4 Tauherenikau (H) R1 Open Race time:  5. Koko Kaboom (1) J: Kate Coppins 13798T: Michael House 2.50WIN 1.14PLACE Past winner on grass…

Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Omakau Harness on Friday, January 2.  Omakau Race 1 6 Mr Cash Man  The unrelenting nature of amateur driver races should play into the hands of Mr Cash Man. He’s a pretty robust pacer who doesn’t possess great deals of speed but is one who can wind up over a longer distance and really put it to his rivals. Expect that here and he’ll be right in play. Selections: 6-7-8-3-1 Omakau R1 Open Race time:  6. Mr Cash Man (6) J: Adam White 72890T: Matthew Williamson 3.20WIN 1.26PLACE Taking on stronger…

Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Rangiora Harness on Thursday, January 1.  Rangiora Race 1 4 Longview Tui  Ignoring the duck egg in the form line from the last start, Longview Tui (4) brings some strong form to this race today. Drops back in grade considerably from some of the recent efforts and with Blair in the bike, should be in all the right spots to chase success here. Selections: 4-8-10-1-2 Rangiora R1 Open Race time:  4. Longview Tui (4) J: Blair Orange 74730T: Ken Barron 5.50WIN 2.15PLACE Mixed efforts of late but needs considering back on…

Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Roxburgh Harness on Sunday, January 4.  Roxburgh Race 1 8 Bettor Way  Too good for a field better than this one last time out, Bettor Way (8) appears to just need some luck from the inside of the second row to play a major role here. Should get that too with the #1 likely to try and hold a forward position. No bad luck and should deliver. Selections: 8-1-5-4-7 Roxburgh R1 Open Race time:  8. Bettor Way (8) J: – 23601T: Mark Jones 0.00WIN 0.00PLACE Odds are subject to fluctuation. For…

Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Reefton Harness on Tuesday, December 30.  Reefton Race 1 1 Carrera Kahu  Two strong runs on both days at Westport and the landing of the ace draw here should make Carrea Kahu (1) the horse to beat. Improved over both days too and really found the line with purpose on Sunday. Similar kind of field and looks hard to roll. Selections: 1-5-8-3-2 Reefton R1 Open Race time:  1. Carrera Kahu (1) J: John Dunn 70832T: Tim Fensom 5.00WIN 1.50PLACE Found her mojo on this circuit and gets another helpful draw. In…

Matt Markham gives his best in all races at Motukarara Harness on Monday 29 December. Motukarara Harness Race 1 16 One Eye Bandit Plenty to like about the most recent effort from One Eye Bandit (16) and while he’s far away from being the complete package, he is good enough to handle this field here today. Will have to work at some stage to get around them but his class has to take him close in this even field.  Selections: 16-3-2-6-12  Motukarara R1 Open Race time:  16. One Eye Bandit (0) J: Bob Butt 71702T: Bob Butt 3.80WIN 1.75PLACE Thwarted late at Rang as fave.…