The Saturday night harness preview has landed and we’re off to Melton for the Hunter Cup and the Group 1 Ladyship Cup.
Winning machine Lochinvar Art headlines the program at Melton as he looks to make it six wins in a row and there is some good value to be found throughout the program.
Time to fill up those pockets with winners.
Melton Race 2 BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS RISING STARS PACE FINAL (2240m)
#13 struve
Emma Stewart finally seems to have ironed the issues with this five-year-old horse and he’s put it all together thus far this preparation, successfully turning it around after a horror first run.
Struve was a smart winner at this course and distance last start when a short-priced $1.3 favourite and the $3.3 on offer here looks a good enough price to take about him.
He’s got great gate speed but he’ll have to conserve that energy given he’s drawn in 13 and there is a bit of early pace in the race.
That shouldn’t prove any issues though as he is a versatile horse and even if he does take a sit or has to expend any energy mid-race he’s got enough talent to win.
Suggested Bet: Struve win at $3.3
Melton Race 7 Hunter Cup (2760m)
#9 lochinvar art
Lochinvar Art is a genuine superstar trotter and he’s looking to make it six wins in a row in this, The Hunter Cup.
He might be a bit of a risk from gate number nine and that’s one of the reasons we’re getting $1.4 to find out if he can win rather than the usual $1.04 or $1.10 the market has dished up at his last few starts.
Trainer and driver David Moran knows what he has in the locker and he’s going to show Australian harness racing why he is the star of the circuit.
One at value to throw in the exotics is the old boy Atla Orlando.
The nine-year-old gelding may have only won a Group 3 at Goulburn last start but did so in a smart style and he gets Chris Alford to take the reins here. Should be able to kick up from the inside draw and sit handy in the run.
Suggested Bets: Lochinvar Art win at $1.40
Suggested Exotic Bet: Quinella – 9/ 2
Melton Race 8 ALABAR BLOODSTOCK LADYSHIP CUP (1720m)
#1 our princess tiffany
The market is suggesting this is a race in two between Our Princess Tiffany and Bettor Enforce.
Our Princes Tiffany is the value between the two at around the $2.8 quote.
Her three wins in a row leading into Group 1 have been outstanding but it was her more recent victory that caught the eye when she donkey licked her rivals to win in style over 2240 metres.
The drop back in distance to 1720 metres should not be a problem tonight.
She’s drawn gate number one and has good early tactical speed to score up and hold out anyone who tries to take her on for the lead.
Chris Alford is a demon driver from those inside gates and he’ll demand the front.
Suggested Bet: Our Princess Tiffany win at $2.8
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta 1/ 6/ Field
Melton Race 10 - Simplot Pace (1720m)
#6 steel screens
Looks like Steel Screens will finally get an ideal scenario here for his racing pattern.
He usually gets out the back of his races and storms home late to finish over the top of his rivals.
This race looks like there is going to be some early pressure up front with La Puddie and Major Manbar vying for the front.
With the likelihood of a genuine fast run race from the early leaders and on-pacers it will suit Steel Screens’ finishing burst and he should be able to launch over the top of them.
Suggested Bet: Steels Screens win at $4.4
