Goodform Gameplan: Melton Sat 20th March

The opening event has been massively confused by the presence of former Kiwi GLOBE TREKKER (5) so nothing is certain. That being said COUNT BACARDI (2) is a pretty nice horse with an ideal draw and even if he’s three poles as predicted the $7 available for him to run a drum seems generous enough for a small interest wager. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$10 Place on COUNT BACARDI (2) at $6 or better 

I marked EXPLICIT CASTLE (6) $2.80 here and if he’d come up something near $4 I would have had a decent bet but the books have opened him a similar price so I’m looking elsewhere. If that bloke doesn’t lead, or works overtime to find the front, there are several winning chances and the two at proper overs are ZUBERI (5) who is better than he’s given credit for, and ROSARITO MISS (10) who is flying at present. 

SUGGESTED BETS: 

$10 Each Way on ZUBERI (5) & ROSARITO MISS (10) at $8 or better for both 

Group 1 races are always wonderful to watch but these Home Grown Finals for trotters are rarely betting affairs and this one is no different. CENTRAL OTAGO (3) is clearly the one to beat but I’d need a price I’m never going to get to back him. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

Nothing significant (Confidence rating that CENTRAL OTAGO (3) will win)

I very much appreciate the innovation related to the recent proliferation of 6 furlong races but I am clearly not equipped to win from them based on recent history. Incredibly however, they’ve sucked me in again tonight. I know history plays against JILLIBY CHEVY (8) from his draw but he has plenty on these and his opening price of $4.50 seems ludicrously generous so I’ll dive back into the Black Hole one more time. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$20 Win on JILLIBY CHEVY (8) at $3 or better 

I may end up in the foetal position after this event but I simply could not be more bullish about TECHYS ANGEL (5). Here are the facts; she’s a classy, fresh mare tackling horse who’ve been up a long while, she’s overwhelmingly likely to lead, she’s never been beaten in front and she trialled super in preparation for her return. I know MISS MCGONAGALL (9) went massive in Sydney but she’s actually no more talented than Techy and Techy has everything in her favour tonight. She opened $3.40, I back her (and tweeted) at $2.70 but anything close to black figures in good enough. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$80 Win on TECHYS ANGEL (5) at $1.90 or better

Now I know place betting isn’t for everyone but outside Techys Angel in the previous this may be the best bet all night. We all know HONOLUA BAY (6) is a jet plane and if he turns up in the right mood he’ll decimate these but there’s two podium positions remaining and one of them should surely be occupied by KANENA PROVLIMA (8). The draw may be awful but he’s been living in a different world to most of these lately. I’ll be flabbergasted if he doesn’t run second or third and $2.25 is currently available which is massive value. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$50 Place Only on KANENA PROVLIMA at $1.80 or better

Before we moved to the National Rating system and the proliferation of PBD races multiple wagers were out bread and butter. We return to the scene in these next two races. WOLF STRIDE (8) has things against tonight but should simply be too good and with four runners well out of their class we play skinny and strong. 

SUGGESTED BET:  

Flexi Trifecta: 8/ 6,7/ 5,6,7: $44 gets 1200% 

Flexi Trifecta: 8/ 5/ 5,6,7: $ $6 gets 200%

This feature trotting event is quite similar to the Melton Plate. We have three class runners here and three that probably can’t feature. Before Tornado Valley’s scratching I had a decent crack at SPARKLING SUCCESS (5) but the price has contracted too far so we’re playing three fiddly First Fours hoping to sneak something out of what is a tricky punting affair. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

Flexi First Four: 5,6/ 4,5,6/ 4,5,6/ 2: $30 gets $750% 

Flexi First Four: 5,6/ 4,5,6/ 4,5,6/ 1: $20 gets $500% 

Flexi First Four: 5,6/ 4,5,6/ 4,5,6/ 3: $10 gets $250% 

I’m a little confused about EQUITY STRIDE (2) opening odds on here. I know he’s a progressive horse but this is another step up in grade so $1.90 seems wrong. If you’d like to lay him that’s your choice but I’m going down a more traditional path; backing a horse I have a lot of time for named COOL ROCKING DADDY (8) Each Way at a price. If he happened to lob leader’s back I honestly think he’ll just win but with plenty of indications he’ll land three pegs we’ll need some fortune for him to salute. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

$20 Each Way COOL ROCKING DADDY (8) at $8.50 or better

Much like the previous Home Grown Trotting Final I’m not much interested in playing here. PERFECT POLLY (3) has the score on the board and should win again but we have just one race start to work with in her case so taking odds on seems imprudent. 

SUGGESTED BET: 

Nothing significant (Confidence rating that PERFECT POLLY (3) Will Win)

With so much front line speed engaged here I feel confident that a swooper will prevail and the best swooper is LETS MAKE TRACKS (9) so he is worth a bet to finish off the night. 

SUGGESTED BET:  

$30 Win on LETS MAKE TRACKS (9) at $2.80 or better