Before the return of harness racing to the Dunedin area tomorrow, racing journalist and form expert Jonny Turner has found five horses who can make their mark at Wingatui.
IT’S A PLEASURE
Race 3
This 3-year-old returned at Ascot Park last month with a strong second behind a talented winner in Always B Paulie.
She should strip significantly fitter for that outing and ready to take on a handy field.
It’s A Pleasure looks well placed from barrier 5, if she can land handy her turn of foot should put her right in the frame.
Trainer Greg Hunter’s team has been in great form recently and it looks set to continue at Wingatui.
PARADISE VALLEY
Race 4
With a strike rate of two wins from 55 starts, Paradise Valley is no certainty.
But she should be able to tempt a few eachway punters.
Paradise Valley loves grass more than most horses and brings a strong record on turf.
I thought the mare’s first up run at Ascot Park was excellent, showing she’s coming into tomorrow in good heart.
With plenty of gate speed, Paradise Valley can get on the speed and run a cheeky race.
FOREVER ARDEN
Race 6
Forever Arden looks the best horse in race 6 and if everything goes to plan he should be winning.
His recent trials look a class above what many of his rivals could produce in the same circumstances.
The query is that in his short career, Forever Arden has shown he can do the odd thing wrong.
So, as he is first up for the spring and first up on grass there are reasons to be a little weary.
And don’t forget he starts from the unruly, too.
Despite all this, Forever Arden still rates as the horse to beat.
FLYING BIRD
Race 8
This mare rates for two of the great achievers in Otago harness racing in Matthew Williamson.
Kevin Court, who has prepared many good horses, bred and owns Flying Bird with wife Patricia.
The pacer looks very well placed in race 8 given the class of horse she has raced recently.
Just two starts ago, Flying Bird beat a harder field at Ascot Park, quite nicely.
She’s also proven at Wingatui having won at this meeting last year.
Though she’s not draw ideally in barrier 10, Flying Bird looks a great winning chance.
INSARCHATWIST
Race 10
Her formline says she’s hasn’t been running her best races, but don’t discount this grass track specialist.
Insarchatwist has placed nine times from 17 attempts on grass and she can add to that record in what looks a suitable race.
The mare’s recent outings have been in significantly harder races than the one she takes on today.
With her love of grass and her great draw in barrier 2, she looks a royal winning hope.
