Ryan Phelan takes a look at Tuesday night harness racing from Echuca.

Race 1

OVERVIEW:

JETAWAY SAINT (2) has shown glimpses of improvement his past few runs, where he found the line well at Maryborough, and his two prior runs were ok under the circumstances. His win last year came as a short-priced favourite when he was able to find the lead from a similarly favourable draw. If he can stay balanced in the first section and find a handy position, he will take running down.

VAN DOREN (10) has been racing well the past couple of months, evidenced by victory three runs back when given a nice trip. He was subsequently too bad to be true when fourth but bounced back last start with a strong finishing second when he didn’t have the best run in transit. He’ll need the right tempo but is going better than most. LAVENGERS BOY (8) broke through for victory last start in an easier race from a better draw. He didn’t have much luck prior to that and with the trailing draw won’t be far off. FLING IT RAINBOW (1) is a veteran who races best on speed in this type of ratings band and is a winner at this track, so is open to improvement.

SELECTIONS: JETAWAY SAINT (2), VAN DOREN (10), LAVENGERS BOY (8), FLING IT RAINBOW (1)

Race 2

OVERVIEW:

JILLIBY TOPGUN (4) is going for a hat-trick of wins here and is enjoying his best season to date, racing tough and proving to be more reliable in his action. Whilst he has speed it’s unlikely he’ll lead, but it’s encouraging he hasn’t shirked the task when forced to sit parked. He’ll have to earn it but his best is good enough.

POPPY POPSTAR (3) is a largely consistent mare, a big winner against easier company five back, ran into a good one after that, but she’s probably had her chance since, while still being ok. She’ll get the right map to bounce back into winning form here. JACKIES GIFT (2) is hard to get a line on first-up with no trial here, and her form in two runs last preparation for the new stable couldn’t be further apart. She led from a wide draw and was a strong winner at Bendigo, then over raced and was beaten a long way subsequently. She looks the leader and is worth taking on trust. WATCH AND ACT (8) has been racing in consistent form, and the nice trailing draw gives him a chance to come with one run, but he doesn’t win out of turn.

SELECTIONS: JILLIBY TOPGUN (4), POPPY POPSTAR (3), JACKIES GIFT (2), WATCH AND ACT (8)

Race 3

OVERVIEW:

LILLY LOTUS (6) gets no favours with the draw, but she is very well graded with her mare’s allowance. She displayed nice ability last year in her 3yo season, and since resuming she’s been well up in grade and performing very well. The way she found the line last Saturday was strong and without much room. She can bounce back to winning form.

IM WESLEY (4) has been in good form, as evidenced last start when a narrow but strong winner, and his prior placings have all been in good time. He has speed but even if he doesn’t find the top should get decent cover. PEARL OF PHILTRA (1) gives away experience and class, but when she’s been in winning form, she’s looked smart. She should map well from the draw and should get her chance late. CEE CEE LOU (7) looks well placed after two forgive runs in Sydney, and her form prior in better grade at Melton was sound also. She’ll need luck but must be considered.

SELECTIONS: LILLY LOTUS (6), IM WESLEY (4), PEARL OF PHILTRA (1), CEE CEE LOU (7)

Race 4

OVERVIEW:

OVERVIEW: WHATS GLENDA GOT (8) has found form her past couple of runs, including a good win last time where she mapped well and was too strong. She looks well graded here with the mare’s allowance, and the trailing draw is good following out a speedy beginner. She can continue her winning way.

FOUR STARZZ RUBY (2) runs her best races at this track, particularly when she’s drawn well to show her speed over the short trip. She’s a chance of leading here and despite being first-up can give plenty of cheek. IAMAWINGATE (5) is also a last-start winner at Shepparton, coming off the speed to be too strong in a slow last half. His map is a little uncertain, but you have the top driver to negate that. KIMCHI (7) beat an easier field last time out when able to lead and, while the draw is a little tricky, can be strong late if he gets the luck.

BACK: WHATS GLENDA GOT (8) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: WHATS GLENDA GOT (8), FOUR STARZZ RUBY (2), IAMWINGATE (5), KIMCHI (7)

Race 5

OVERVIEW:

ALLGOOD VINNIE (5) has been in terrific form this season, only missing a place four times from 15 tries, and has proven his versatility in those wins. He’s a brilliant beginner, as evidenced at Warragul two back when he won, but he’s also been great coming with one run. There’s good speed inside him, so the map is uncertain, but his form is solid.

HEZ HARRYWHO (3) has been a bit better his last four runs, but his best performances seem to align with Herbertson when he maps to get a good draw. You’ve got to take him on trust, but he’s in the mix. LINE DANCE (7) is normally better off the front row when he can use his gate speed, and although he had his chance last time that was a harder race than what he meets here in some respects. MADAM REACTOR (1) is up in class and is certain to be part of what appears to be a fierce speed battle off the front row, but she improves when she can lead.

BACK: ALLGOOD VINNIE (5) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: ALLGOOD VINNIE (5), HEZ HARRYWHO (3), LINE DANCE (7), MADAM REACTOR (1)

Race 6

OVERVIEW:

SPECIALS POSTER (7) went down as favourite last week, but he did have to burn to find the front, and, in fairness, the quality of the race may turn out to be strong. He looks to get a good map behind the likely leader here, and with a good trainer/driver combo can be confident with the bounce-back factor here.

BETTING ATTACK (1) should be able to find the front a little easier than last start where he was beaten quite a distance, and his form prior when able to map well was good. He’ll take plenty of catching with what looks to be a good map. STOLEN ONE (4) has been good in her last couple of trials, and on that I’m sure will be popular in the market. Her exposed form is a little inconclusive, but she must be kept safe. MACHFREDDY (2) has form around the pole marker and should be able to get cover here. He does need to lift on his recent efforts, but this isn’t overly strong.

BACK: SPECIALS POSTER (7) – 3 units (win)
SELECTIONS: SPECIALS POSTER (7), BETTING ATTACK (1), STOLEN ONE (4), MACHFREDDY (2)

Race 7

OVERVIEW:

CLIVES GIRL (4) finds the most suitable race she’s faced in a while in an easier ratings band and against her own sex. Liam Older has driven her once before when she placed as favourite in a race tougher than this. She can show her gate speed and find the top and looks the testing material.

WHERES WOOD WOOD (2) looks the main danger and is certain to get every chance here from the draw. She’s been better than her last couple, but this appears suitable and she has a good record at this track. MAMMALS REASON (3) has had excuses her past few, either doing things wrong or doing it tough. She’s open to improvement so keep safe. DANCINGONSTARLIGHT (7) is fitter here third-up and hasn’t been too far away. She should map ok from the trailing draw, and she is a winner at this track.

BACK: CLIVES GIRL (4) – 3 units (win)
SELECTIONS: CLIVES GIRL (4), WHERES WOOD WOOD (2), MAMMALS REASON (3), DANCINGONSTARLIGHT (7)

Race 8

OVERVIEW:

METRO MEMORY (5) got back to top form last time out when able to lead all the way at Maryborough and ran decent time in the process. In-form Liam Older sticks with him, and although drawn wide can be stamped urgent to look for the top over the middle trip. A repeat of last time will see him hard to beat.

WINGATE GUY (4) found the right grade last time and, to be fair, he was a little disappointing on face value. He’s won better races than this earlier in the year so his best is good enough. TASMA FLASH (1) finally gets a good saddlecloth, but she may not have the speed to hold a forward enough position, which is some concern. Her win two back was good enough to get it done here. ALTA BAYAMO (7) doesn’t have form to rave about, but he’s only missed a place once in four attempts with Herbertson aboard.

SELECTIONS: METRO MEMORY (5), WINGATE GUY (4), TASMA FLASH (1), ALTA BAYAMO (7)

10-UNIT GAME PLAN

R4 #8 WHATS GLENDA GOT – 2 units (win)
R5 #5 ALLGOOD VINNIE – 2 units (win)
R6 #7 SPECIALS POSTER – 3 units (win)
R7 #4 CLIVES GIRL – 3 units (win)

EARLY QUADDIE

1,2,7,8,10/2,3,4,8/1,3,4,5,6,7/2,5,8

QUADDIE

1,3,4,5,7/1,4,7/2,4/1,4,5,7

For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au

(A betting unit is typically a percentage of the total bankroll or the amount of money you are willing to risk on a particular bet – for example 1 unit is 10% of your bankroll, therefore a $100 bankroll 1 unit equals $10.)

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