Two harness meetings are on the calendar this weekend with racing in Hobart on Friday night before the action moves north to Launceston on Sunday evening. Mark Yole provides his regular thoughts in Make Your Mark.
Weekend best
Launceston Race 7 – 4. Sharkbite Alto
Winning form is good form. This gelding has really hit his straps since coming down from the mainland. He has shown that he is capable of doing work in his races as his last two starts have been impressive wins. He steps up in class here, so it will be harder, but I can see him settling on the speed and taking plenty of holding out.
Wish I was in the sulky
Launceston Race 8 – 1. Macaria
I’m going the way of this one in a very even field based on the great draw and the fact it was able to win a very similar race two starts ago from an identical draw. She appears to have the gate speed to hold out its rivals, mainly I Of The Hurrikane, who also has good gate speed. If it can do that, I don’t really see any pressure and it should be able to dictate its own tempo. As I said, this is a very even race so having a good run in front, she should be winning.
Launceston Race 3 – 9. Art Huntsman
I also really like the chances of this filly. She has been a model of consistency of late and certainly seems to have overcome some early issues with its racing manners. I felt she really put the writing on the wall here a fortnight ago when she led and copped plenty of pressure before relenting and taking the sit on the back of Endeavour Stride. She then came off the sit down the back and looked like a great chance before that early pressure just took its toll late. Two starts ago she sat outside the handy Moth Hunter and ran that horse to a half neck. That is excellent form.
The draw makes her task a little harder, but if I was driving her, I would be making a mid-race move when the tempo goes out of the race, usually through the middle stages. She has shown she can do that sort of work, and she might even end up in front. A great chance with a bright future.
Under the radar
Hobart Race 2 – 1. Deadly Assassin
Honest old pacer who hasn’t had a decent draw in a long time. He finally gets that here, and while there appears to be good gate speed on the front line, I definitely think he will be in a forward position where he can make the most of it.
Value runner
Hobart Race 1 – 7. Barbette
I quite like this filly. She has shown glimpses of good ability but just hasn’t quite been able to win up to this point in her career. I thought she was excellent at her past two runs. She showed good gate speed to lead two starts ago and got attacked early. That was against the boys, and she was only beaten six metres in a good mile rate of 2:00. She then had an identical draw to what she has tonight (7) and put up a very brave run in the Sweepstakes Final for the fillies. She was only beaten just over a length when having to sit outside the leader all the way. The draw really makes it tough for her, but if I can get her into the race at some stage, I think she can go very close.
