3 minute read

Matt Markham: Best At Manawatu Harness On Monday Night

Race 1
3 Our Pegasus Pearl

Three time winner and three time placed on this track and comes here in good nick after two strong runs in the last two performances down on the West Coast. Good beginner, so should eat up the 30m handicap and if close enough inside the final 800m can reel this field off.
Selections: 3-10-4-2-6

Race 2
6 Boyz Invasion

Grand trotter who is going as good now as he ever has in his career. Great runs down at Westport behind a couple of pretty smart ones on both days and he's only ever tasted defeat on this track once, and that was a placing in all five goes here. 10m handicap looks great for him and should go close.
Selections: 6-8-3-4-5

Race 3
4 Narobi

Really starting to get the hang of the racing game and although there always seems to be one better perhaps today is that where that isn't the case. Gets a key draw advantage on main rivals and if able to make the most of it should be able to finally break through.
Selections: 4-9-8-3-2

Race 4
3 Sheza Mermaid

A handful of really good runs in the most recent performances and looks set to pick up a win again at short notice. Nice option here from a good draw and even more dangerous if able to make a line towards the markers early. Should be strong from there.
Selections: 3-5-4-2-8

Race 5
7 Dom Toretto

Took a while to break maidens, but finally did it and did it well then backed it up with a potentially career best run first go out of maidens when finishing second. That run alone is good enough to win this and even from the niggly draw should be able to make a big play here.
Selections: 7-9-6-3-5

Race 6
1 Boudica

Dropping back from some seriously good Canterbury grade races for this one today and the $11 put up on the opening market was simply ridiculous. Great stand start horse who should land on the speed and the way she can punch through late in her races makes her very dangerous late today.
Selections: 1-6-8-5-4

Race 7
3 Diamonds Are Forever

Quality pacer who has taken on far better fields than that what she meets here. Lands a good draw too so likely to look to roll forward and take control of this and with her own terms in front, it's hard to see anything getting past her up the short straight.
Selections: 3-1-7-5-6

Race 8
6 Victor Bravo

Near enough in many of the recent performances and finds a pretty winnable race here today. Likes to stalk the speed and then look to get over the top of them late and if David Butcher can plot the right path then don't be surprise to see a winning effort.
Selections: 6-11-2-4-10

Race 9
5 Santanna Mach

Perhaps not quite as sharp as he has been in some of his recent efforts but gets back to his happy place here today. Four wins and 13 placings on the track and meets a pretty even looking field. If he was able to work forward early and control things he might be too good.
Selections: 5-3-4-1-6

Best: 6 Boyz Invasion (Race 2)
Next: 1 Boudica (Race 6)
Value: 6 Victor Bravo (Race 8)