Harness
Australian Harness Racing Preview – 1st July 2023
The ace draw will give the local Blacksadance his chance to repel the challenge of the visitors as the Constellations players have their final preparatory runs at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Blacksadance is much more accustomed to wider or second row barriers so will relish the pegs draw in the Wondais Mate Open (1660m).He raced three wide in the latter stages when coming from the back line to be beaten 2.8m in the Lucky Creed last start after a tough win from a wide barrier two back.
He has won 24 times at this circuit and the draw gives him the chance to add another.
Major Meister made an encouraging return when he led from wider and stuck on to finish runner up at Menangle last start. He'll be fitter for that and should be prominent from the favourable draw.
Stablemate I Cast No Shadow looks close to peaking after two nice efforts since a spell. He placed fresh at Menangle then drew wider on this line when 2.3m away in the Lucky Creed.
He is a two-time third-up winner who is drawn to get a trail and access the sprint lane.
Turn It Up faded out last start but he is usually consistent and reliable and so is worthy of another chance while Big Wheels cops a tough draw but he is racing well and is worth including.
A berth in next week's Rising Sun will be up for grabs to the winner of the Queensland Sun earlier on the program.
For Real Life faces a tougher test on Saturday night but he is powering through his grades and gets the right draw.
He impressed when spanking his rivals by 20m from this same barrier in last week's Redcliffe Derby, taking his record this campaign to four wins and a nose defeat from five starts. The draw gives him every chance to step up against the older rivals.
Speak The Truth has chased topliner Leap To Fame when placed in his last two outings after kicking off the campaign with back-to-back wins. He owns a 50 per cent strike rate at this venue so will be hard to beat.
Tims A Trooper galloped away from the stand start when well fancied in last week's Redcliffe Gold Cup but won the last time he raced here three back. He is drawn to get a nice trail.
Future Assured won his first two starts at this circuit after a spell before a fourth to Leap To Fame last time. He is race fit so rates as a player along with Dangerzone who is good enough to feature with a touch of luck from the back row.
The return of Grand Circuit player Mach Dan adds interest to the Melton program on Saturday night.
The gelding resumes after tackling the topliners last campaign, last seen in the Miracle Mile to follow a win in the Newcastle Mile.
His last start at Melton was a fourth in the Hunter Cup and he is a two-time fresh winner who will be ready to go off two trial wins.
Stablemate Like A Wildfire should be close to his peak following two starts off a let-up, both from back row draws. He went under by just a neck here last time and is a big chance from the better draw.
Bettor Isolate is another that has raced twice since a short break and while he was a beaten favourite in his last-start fourth he may be ready to produce his best.
Amore Vita is a quality mare last seen when second in the Queen Elizabeth II in Sydney to follow a string of wins here including the G1 Vicbred Final. She goes well fresh so keep her safe from the ace draw.
BEST BETS:
Menangle Saturday Race 3 #5 Wavethebill @$2.70 – he is better drawn than in his resuming placing and with added fitness can show his best.
Melton Saturday Race 6 #4 Hes Charlies Angel @ $2.60 – improved by the fresh effort and looks nicely placed.
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