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Trent Cooper provides his best bets for the Harness meeting at Gloucester Park on Friday, 17th May 2024. Brought to you by the TABtouch Blog.
Race 1
CAPTAIN BLIGH (11) won his first three starts back from a spell and didn't lose any admirers when he faced the breeze and finished 3rd to Brickie Dream here last week and looks the one to beat here. DUTY BOUND (1) doesn't have the class of his two main rivals but looks the likely leader and should give them something to catch. HALE SAINT LOUIE (7) is drawn poorly but caught the eye with a fast-finishing 3rd behind Mister Smartee in the 4&5YO Championship and drops in class tonight. YA BETTER FOLLOWME (10) is drawn to enjoy a soft run on the pegs and can threaten late at good each way odds.
Tips: 11 1 7 10
Suggested Bet: YA BETTER FOLLOWME (10) each way.
Race 2
CLASSIC CHOICE (2) had to do too much work and knocked up late here last week but will be very hard to beat if he can find the lead without expending too much energy tonight. ARMA XFACTOR (5) has only been placed in one of his six starts this time in but drops back in class here and should give a great sight. ROCK ME OVER (1) hasn't won for over 18 months but is racing well and should get a lovely run from the pole. RASCAL (3) wasn't racing at his best before being sent for a freshen up and can test these at his best.
Tips: 2 5 1 3
Suggested Bet: CLASSIC CHOICE (2) to win.
Race 3
THE MIKI TAKER (3) faced the breeze when a close 2nd to Hampton Banner here last week and is the one to beat against this line-up. DOMINUS FACTUM (7) crossed from a wide barrier before taking a sit and running on to win in good time last week and must be respected on that effort. STATE OF HEAVEN (1) led throughout from this draw two starts back and will be prominent throughout from the pole. ROCKMYSTER (11) caught the eye first-up when running on from bear the rear to finish 2nd to ROCKANDROLLARTIST (8) and will be charging home again.
Tips: 3 7 1 11
Suggested Bet: THE MIKI TAKER (3) to win.
Race 4 Best Bet
JUMPINGJACKMAC (6) ran a game 2nd in the Nullabor before sprinting powerfully to win his last start and is clearly the one to beat. FINVARRA (2) has only been placed in one of his six starts this time in but will improve sharply if he can find the front here. YOURE SO FINE (4) is first-up but has the services of Gary Hall Jnr and must be respected. DIEGO (7) is drawn poorly and hasn't been at his best but is a proven performer.
Tips: 6 2 4 7
Suggested Bet: JUMPINGJACKMAC (6) to win.
Race 5
WATER LOU (10) is the state's best filly and has only tasted defeat four times in her 19-start career but she has an awkward draw to navigate tonight. MISS HEPBURN (1) led throughout in solid time two starts back before being held yup for a run and is the obvious danger to the favourite. XCEPTIONAL ARMA (8) has won 12 of her 24 career starts and has the strength to overcome the wide barrier. SUGAR DELIGHT (5) has won two of her three race starts and looks an improving type.
Tips: 10 1 8 5
Suggested Bet: WATER LOU (10) to win.
Race 6
REINETTE (2) resumed with a strong 2nd to HIGHVIEW HEIDI (4) after facing the breeze and is capable of turning the tables from this draw. HIGHVIEW HEIDI (4) was well driven to land the one-one when an impressive first-up winner and is the obvious danger. DIAMONDSAREFOREVER (6) ran on well to finish 3rd to the favoured pair in that event and can be placed again. PURELY PANDEMIC (5) has finished 2nd in her two race starts and looks capable of handling the rise in class.
Tips: 2 4 6 5
Suggested Bet: REINETTE (2) to win.
Race 7
STARLIGHT DREAM (8) has won seven of her 14 race starts and ran a great race when 6th to Brickies Dream in a strong field last week. She will settle at the rear and will need a solid tempo but she will unwind a big finish if the scenario eventuates. LADY PRIMA DONNA (7) is a consistent performer and can be put into the race if desired. FLAMETREE (2) ran 2nd in the Westbred Classic before producing a solid effort in a stronger field and looks a major player from this draw. MADDY ROCKS (1) hasn't had much luck recently and looks a big improver from the pole in a wide-open affair.
Tips: 8 7 2 1
Suggested Bet: STARLIGHT DREAM (8) each way.
Race 8
DOURADO (1) doesn't have the class of his main rivals but he has won four of his five attempts from the stand and he should give a great sight from the pole. SKYLOU (5) is the class runner of the field but is unbeaten when racing on the pegs and has only won two of seven off the pegs so that is the query. CARANA (7) has impressed in winning his last two starts but has a 20m handicap to overcome. BRICKIES DREAM (6) led throughout in good time here in a mobile event but is hit and miss from the tapes.
Tips: 1 5 7 6
Suggested Bet: DOURADO (1) each way.
Race 9
BARBADOS (1) has finished 2nd at three of his five starts this time in and gets his chance to break back into the winners' circle from the pole tonight. STAR OF WILLOUGHBY (11) is suited by his trailing draw and will be running on if there is a solid tempo. MADDY MADDY (4) has been performing well from bad barriers and is always a chance with the right trip in transit. TRITTTRITTBANGBANG (3) possesses good gate speed and could make things interesting in the early stages.
Tips: 1 11 4 3
Suggested Bet: BARBADOS (1) to win.
Race 10
STORM THE BEACH (1) was a dominant winner against a weak field here last week and the rise in class tonight is offset by the pole draw. LIL HAPPY FELLA (5) is first-up without a trial for a new stable and raced in stronger company last time in so monitor the betting. CLOUD NINE (7) was badly blocked for a run at his return and can make his presence felt. JUSTLIKE TURBO (10) is drawn to get a soft run trailing the favourite and looks a good place chance.
Tips: 1 5 7 10
Suggested Bet: STORM THE BEACH (1) to win.
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