We head into a big weekend of harness racing with the best bets and preview for Saturday night action on the track.
Ballarat and Menangle headline the main cards with plenty of value for the punters.
Ballarat race 3
#2 WOuld you mind
Would You Mind looks the value in this race having drawn the marker pegs.
The four-year-old gelding was not driven with vigour last start at Melton and it probably cost him the race after handing up to Fynn Frost who ended up defeating him.
Expecting him to kick up inside of this field, hold the front in order to gain ascendancy of the contest and use his fitness to full advantage.
He also has a starting price advantage over Fynn Frost which as to be taken into account.
Suggested Bet: Would You Mind win at $4
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 2 & 5
Ballarat Race 5
#4 Always Fast
Always Fast looks perfectly primed to run a winning race.
He was a moral licked at Melton over 2240 metres last start after being blocked for a run when he was just about to burst into the race won by Triple Eight.
He draws a few spots off the pegs which is ideal for him given he should be in open air rather than behind hemmed up behind runners like he was last weekend.
The five-year-old pacer started the shortest price of the horses who came into this event from that Melton race won by Triple Eight and that is the form to be with here.
Best of the night.
Suggested Bet: Always Fast win at $2.10
Ballarat race 6
#13 I Cast No Shadow
I Cast No Shadow looks the best boil-over chance in this race outside the favourites who seem under the odds despite their good form.
Champion driver Chris Alford has decided to stick with horse all preparation thus far and he may just reap the rewards of his loyalty tonight.
The five-year-old horse should be somewhere near full fitness after two respectable runs to start his campaign.
The leaders look as though they are going to pour the pressure on early in this race and if he gets the right cart into the race, he can run over the top of this lot.
Suggested Bet: I Cast No Shadow each-way at $10 the win and $2.6 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 4, 5, 13
Menangle Race 1
#4 Rays Choice
A big drop in class for Rays Choice might just be the tonic for victory.
He raced in Group 3 company, started a $151 chance and was well beaten when attempting to press forward but being caught wide for the majority of the trip.
The Grimson-trained eight-year-old gelding has the early speed to the find the pegs early in this race without to much fuss.
His driver Cameron Hart then has options whereby he can either hold his rivals out and lead or take the sit if it gets too hot early.
Suggested Bet: Rays Choice win at $3.7
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 4 & 10
Menangle Race 6
#7 Never Been Said
The headline event from Menangle and we are firmly in the camp of Never Been Said who should be closer in the market to odds-on favourite Rocknroll Angel.
Never Been Said is now a six-year-old mare who is clearly in career best form having won three of her last five starts.
She started a $2.70 favourite in a very similar race a fortnight ago which she won very well.
Her main challenge will be getting through this favourite, but she has the capability to do so and the price we are getting to find out is delicious.
Suggested Bet: Never Been Said win at $7
