Last-go wins and favorable barrier draws have seen the Republican Party (Gambler’s delight) and Muscle Mountain (Muscle Hill) open favorites for the two open class features on Magic Monday in Ashburton.
The Labor Day meeting will have a huge impact on the market for many of the upcoming events during Cup week, while the support card will be the same for a variety of age group races.
The NZB Airfreight Flying Stakes has been stripped of its Barry Purdon/Scott Phelan runners, with Merlin and Sooner The Bettor heading to Kaikoura, while Better Knuckle Up and Jeremiah now won’t come south until next week at the earliest.
But all the big names in the South Island are led by the Republican Party, which opened at $2.90 from barrier 7 but managed to close around even money.
We Walk By Faith has the potentially tricky barrier 1, Akuta is back and gets barrier 2, while Don’t Stop Dreaming will start from barrier 6 in a race where the start and first 300 meters will be crucial.
The start of the $40,000 Tactical Landing Sprint for the Trotters appears to have far fewer early options, with Muscle Mountain (Barrier 2) or Bet N Win (4) likely to take the lead and one of them should win.
The bookmakers opened Muscle Mountain at $1.70, but bettors can get $2.30 with the Box Seat Boost (for a maximum of $100).
There is incredible depth in the two and three year old races for both paces across the programme, but the Gallagher Insurance Showcase looks best with the three year old pacers of glamor boys including Marketplace, Got The Chocolates, Rubira and Greased Lightnin.
To see the fields of Ashburton click here
Through Michael Guerinfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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