There are two meetings to look at on Friday, with my attention at Albion Park and Shepparton.
Below are the best bets for the respective programs.
Best bet: Race 7, Number 1, Happy Publicans
He’ll take a power of beating here. He has had little luck with gates in recent runs, but that all changes here, with a front-line draw, and the pole better yet, to use gate speed and lead. He does his best racing in front, so if that eventuates, I’m confident he gets the job done.
Next best: Race 2, Number 1, Tim Ohshanter
If he does everything right, he’ll take a power of beating. That is the query, because in recent times, he has been ordinary regarding manners, galloping and costing himself all hope, but notably they have been in stand-start races. This horse gets back to mobile conditions so I am banking on that, seeing him produce his best, which would see him win this.
Value: Race 3, Number 8, Shez Got Bling
This looks like a pretty straightforward map. Leap To Fame leads Arma Veyron, Shez Got Bling three back the fence and the last-start winner here from last Friday is a great place bet. She’ll be three back on the pegs in what I suspect will be a peg-dominated affair and she’s racing very well. This horse is a lock to run top three.
Best bet: Race 3, Number 6, Plymouth Chubb
This horse is a star younger trotter that kicks off his prep towards the Group 1 Redwood in a few weeks’ time and he can resume with a win and make it six on the bounce. It is interesting he resumes without a trial but he just looks to have a class edge on these and I’ll bank on that class getting him home.
Next best: Race 5, Number 10, Queen Elida
The draw makes it tough, but she’s a beauty and has Chris Alford steering, so she has a bit in her corner. This horse resumed at Geelong where she led throughout and burnt the clock in the final half when winning and winning well. It is not an ideal draw, but she’s a star and will take a power of beating.
Value: Race 7, Number 6, Aldebaran Crescent
I am happy to speck this girl 1×3 at odds. She is a much better trotter from the mobile compared to the stand start, which was evident last time out when getting it all wrong from behind the tapes. She has super gate speed from the mobile so she’ll lead early. She’ll only run well.