Tonight is Ararat Cup and Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for every race on a competitive card.
RACE 1: ARARAT RSL PACE FINAL
OVERVIEW: This is a competitive event to open the Ararat Cup meeting with many winning chances. CASE FORTY EIGHT (12) has been in great form since joining Steven Fennell’s team, with five starts for two wins and three seconds. This is a big ask over the short trip from a wide draw, but he has the class and the best sectional times in the event. CALEDONIAN TERRA (3) had to do it tough last start at Hamilton, racing in the breeze and still finishing third. Prior to that he was a winner at Mt Gambier. He’s racing well and will enjoy the forward barrier. OPTIMAL (5) has been racing consistently well, highlighted by a good win at Hamilton last start. With luck, he will be flashing home. SHE WILL WANTANO (7) is a talented mare who can make her own luck, although she will need to from the awkward draw.
SELECTIONS: CASE FORTY EIGHT (12), CALEDONIAN TERRA (3), OPTIMAL (5), FAMOUS LABEL (4)
RACE 2: ARARAT RURAL CITY PACE
OVERVIEW: This also looks a tough, open contest with many chances. MIDNITE DESIRE (3) should be able to map forward with Jordan Leedham’s driving style. He has been racing better than his numerical form suggests. KIMCHI (9) has a great barrier to follow through early without being pressured. He will likely be saved for one run and be flashing home late. ITTAKESLUV (8) is racing well and has good sectional times. She will be stuck on the fence and needs luck, but if it comes, she will be strong late. NORMANDY NUGGET (10) is a strong type that is racing peak form. He is capable of making a mid-race move if the pace slackens and should run his usual honest race.
SELECTIONS: MIDNITE DESIRE (3), KIMCHI (9), ITTAKESLUV (8), NORMANDY NUGGET (10)
RACE 3: ACACIA CARAVAN PARK PACE
OVERVIEW: CALYPSO MISTRESS (3) has the best sectional times in this event and a forward barrier to use to her advantage. She had no luck last start at Ballarat but flashed home strongly. She looks ready to win. WHATA OPTIMIST (2) had to cover an extra 27 metres racing wide when winning at Shepparton last start. From barrier two, he shouldn’t get as far back. ASMILEANDAWINX (7) is second up and will improve from her first-up run. She’s a high-speed mare who will be flashing home. CALEDONIAN RANGER (1) is perfectly positioned as Ararat’s 810-metre track can favour horses on the fence. He has the gate speed to hold a good position.
SELECTIONS: CALYPSO MISTRESS (3), WHATA OPTIMIST (2), ASMILEANDAWINX (7), CALEDONIAN RANGER (1)
RACE 4: HOTONDO HOMES TROTTERS HANDICAP
OVERVIEW: This is a stand-start event with several horses in form. ATABOY CHARLIE (6) has finished in the top three in 11 of his last 12 starts. He is versatile and can make his own luck but will need to step cleanly from the 20-metre handicap. FLOATING MOUNTAIN (8) has been racing competitively and has the best recent sectional times in the field. He hasn’t seen stand-start conditions for some time, but if he gets the right run, he has a strong sprint. SONARMI JOH (9) thrives in stand-start conditions and was eye-catching at Mt Gambier last start, overcoming a 40-metre handicap and beaten just 2.8 metres. ACOOL INVESTMENT (10) is the best-rated horse in the field and carries the 40-metre handicap. He has been racing better than his numerical form suggests.
BACK: ATABOY CHARLIE (6) – 2.5 units (win)
SELECTIONS: ATABOY CHARLIE (6), FLOATING MOUNTAIN (8), ACOOL INVESTMENT (10), SONARMI JOH (9)
RACE 5: ARARAT PRE MIX KING TROTTERS CUP
OVERVIEW: PINNIE (10) is a top-quality mare who has spent much of her career chasing stars like Keayang Zahara and Jilliby Ballerini. She has multiple Group 1 placings and won last year’s Warragul Trotters Cup. She performs best over longer trips. The 40-metre handicap and a first-up run after a freshen-up make this a big ask, but if she’s right, she’s a major chance. AVANT GUARD (5) was only fair at Melton last start when race conditions didn’t suit. He was stuck on the fence but still ran home well. He prefers racing room, which he should get here, and off just 10 metres he has a significant head start on some key rivals. His Ballarat Trotters Cup run four starts back was outstanding and a repeat would see him hard to catch. MAXIMEZ (2) was eye-catching flashing home at Melton last start to be narrowly beaten. He is speedy, ultra-consistent and performs well on the country cup circuit. OUR MARVELLA (8) is a top-quality mare at her best and cannot be underestimated if she gets the right run. I also have a lot of respect for MORE WANTED (7) here.
BACK: PINNIE (10) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: PINNIE (10), AVANT GUARD (5), MAXIMEZ (2), OUR MARVELLA (8)
RACE 6: ARARAT ADVOCATE PACING CUP
OVERVIEW: ATA RANGI (6) raced competitively through the Summer of Glory support cards. He is versatile and, despite the awkward barrier, can make his own luck. MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (8) comes from the Aaron Dunn stable, which performs strongly on the country circuit. He is a powerful swooper and will be charging late with luck. METEOR MOTH (12) is the class runner of the field but he occasionally has gait issues and the smaller track at Ararat is a disadvantage. He ran a top race when second behind the outstanding New South Wales pacer Hi Manameisjeff at Listed level last outing. MADIGAN (9) has taken a big step up this campaign racing top level horses, he has a good barrier here and is capable of a strong performance.
BACK: ATA RANGI (6) – 1 unit (win)/2 units (place)
SELECTIONS: ATA RANGI (6), MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (8), METEOR MOTH (12), MADIGAN (9)
RACE 7: HOUSE OF NAI VICBRED VOUCHER MAIDEN PACE
OVERVIEW: KEAYANG PASSION (4) is a first starter for the Marg and Paddy Lee stable. She has won two recent trials and looks promising. FANTASY FLIGHT (2) is a well-bred performer for trainer Kyle Marshall. The stable has a good opinion of him, although he is still green and may take time to reach his best. He should suit racing forward on the small track. BUBBLE OVER (1) was solid on debut, working in the breeze and battling on well. He will improve from that run and is better placed from barrier one. KEAYANG ALABAMA (6) lines up for his third start. A stablemate to Keayang Passion, he ran quick time last start and only lost contact with smart runners in a 26.6 final split. He will improve again but needs luck from the draw.
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG PASSION (4), FANTASY FLIGHT (2), BUBBLE OVER (1), KEAYANG ALABAMA (6)
RACE 8: HULL PLUMBING PACE
OVERVIEW: ZANDA MAN (3) is a talented performer rising quickly through the grades. He put together four straight wins earlier in his campaign before contesting feature races at his past two starts against top-level opposition. He looks a star of the future. TORQUE POWER (2) has strong recent sectional times and should be able to use the barrier to secure a forward position. He’s racing well and maps favourably. OUR ULTIMATE GRACY (4) has won her last two starts since joining Kerryn Manning’s team, leading on both occasions. This is a step up and she may have a different map, but she is in form. WILD BULL (6) is a competitive type who keeps fighting. He’s racing well and will need to make his own luck.
BACK: ZANDA MAN (3) – 2.5 units (win)
SELECTIONS: ZANDA MAN (3), TORQUE POWER (2), OUR ULTIMATE GRACY (4), WILD BULL (6)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R4 #6 ATABOY CHARLIE – 2.5 units (win)
R6 #6 ATA RANGI – 1 unit (win)/ 2 units (place)
R5 #10 PINNIE – 2 units (win)
R8 #3 ZANDA MAN – 2.5 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
2,3,5,12/3,8,9,10,12/1,2,3,5,7/6,8,9,10
QUADDIE
2,5,10/6,8,12/1,2,4/2,3,4
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
** A betting unit is typically a percentage of the total bankroll or the amount of money you are willing to risk on a particular bet – for example 1 unit is 10% of your bankroll, therefore a $100 bankroll 1 unit equals $10
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