Saturday night harness racing heads to Menangle for the Group 1 Chariots of Fire meeting as well as the Victorian country meeting from Terang.
Plenty of best bets to keep us pacing along throughout another great night of harness racing across the east coast.
menangle race 7
#11 expensive ego
He was super impressive when winning by five-and-a-half meters in the Group 2 Adios Stakes at this track and distance last start.
Despite being drawn the back row, there does look to be a bit of speed engaged in this race and even though he might have to wait to make his move his win last start was too good to ignore.
He started favourite in a Group 1 over similar distance two starts ago when absolutely nothing went his way. Has to be the top pick here. Huge chance to make it consecutive victories.
Suggested Bet: Expensive Ego win at $3.1
MeNANGLE RACE 6
#5 MAAJIDA
We have a $1.40 odds-on pop in the form of Group 1 winner Better Enforce but Maajida is the one who is more than capable of knocking off the hotpot favourite.
This four-year-old mare from the Emma Stewart stable in Victoria will be ridden by Kate Gath with their eyes on other Group 1 races over longer distances but the race looks to set up well for a first-up assault in NSW.
With the favourite drawn right next door, Maajida can follow him across and either sit outside the lead and pour the pressure on the favourite or Gath can take a sit on her with cover in the one one.
If it’s a high pressure mile race it will shape up perfectly for Maajida to cause a big boil over.
Suggested Bet: Maajida each way at $7 the win and $1.80 the place.
TERANG RACE 5
#7 PINK GALAHS
From the standing start Terang Cup, Pink Galahs will be giving away 20m under handicap conditions but that will prove no issue for her here.
Despite her form, the last two reading poorly on paper from a placing point of view, she has had absolutely nothing go her way at all.
She’ll tail onto the rear half of the field as they settle into stride here and if she can wait for McLovin to make his run and follow his back into the race then she will climb over the top of the field and win on her ear.
Looks one of the best of the night at Terang.
Suggested Bet: Pink Galahs win at $2.4
TERANG RACE 7
#13 TRIPLE EIGHT
Drew the inside gate last start and was shuffled three pairs back on the inside and just had no chance to build up his revs in the Group 1 Hunter, which was dominated by the leader and eventual winner Lochinver Art.
He’s drawn the back row here but is out wide which should suit much better. Greg Sugars should be able to come at them with one run here on the back of the favourite Wolf Stride who is drawn right on his inside.
Has since had a very quick trial in between runs at Melton to keep his legs ticking over and that will hold him in good stead for this.
Suggested Bet: Triple Eight each at $5.5 to win and $1.95 to place.
TERANG RACE 10
#5 FATHER CHRISTMAS
It might just about be an early Christmas if this 10-year-old gelding from the Brent Lilley yard can win this.
He drops back in grade significantly here after being shuffled three back the pegs in a small field at Melton last start, being held up for a run but eventually running fourth to a smart one called President Roydon.
Getting the switch to a middle draw here will allow him to come to the outside of runners and have full momentum when required rather than the stop and start nature which he loathed last start.
At $15 he is worth an investment at the each-way price but remembering in a seven horse field the place is only paid to second.
Suggested Bet: Father Christmas each way at $15 the win and $4.8 the place.
