Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day Preview

Jonny Turner Harness Racing Journalist

Looking for an horse or two to follow on Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day?

Check out our race-by-race preview:

Race 1
Greenness looked to be the only thing that cost Enoka in his very narrow second placing leading into today’s opener.
The pacer is likely to be better for that first start and be tough to beat in his second start today.
King Hit is in a similar spot in that he was only narrowly defeated in his debut, and he looks a big chance.
Turn N Burn hits the track for his debut after building excellent trial form.
Drawing barrier 8 looks the only negative for the filly.
Honeycomb is one of three horses to have run second in their recent debuts, and she’s a top 4 hope in this harder field.
Selections: Enoka (7), King Hit (5), Turn N Burn (8), Honeycomb (4)

Race 2
In a very even line-up, Searing Light brings the right kind of form to be cashing in at today’s big meeting.
She’s been placing off good runs and good draws recently, and this race could set up just like that for her.
Durrant has been racing consistently without much luck, and he looks to get a chance to boost his form from a much improved draw.
Jenny Gump has shown glimpses of her best work recently, and if she can front with her best effort she can feature.
Rightazz has the motor to match it with any horse in this field, but his challenge is his tough draw.
Selections: Searing Light (1), Durrant (2), Rightazz (13), Jenny Gump (5)

Race 3
Becky’s Girl sets the benchmark for this race after a series of strong performances at Addington.
That form stands out and makes her clearly the horse to beat.
Delphyne impressed with her late work in her last start win and should compete well with a similar effort.
Mumsdawitch made a mistake in the same race but staged a good recovery, and she can threaten with manners.
Kings Choice brings consistency and race manners, making him a reliable option for Trifectas and First4s.
Selections: Becky's Girl (5), Mumsdawitch (1), Delphyne (6), Kings Choice (2)

Race 4
Landing the ace draw looks the key to Sandy Shore’s chances today.
She brings respectable form, and with the advantage of barrier 1 she should take some catching.
Zarlini has been competitive in stronger races and follows out Sandy Shore, which should put her in a striking spot.
Always A Menace brings strong form back down south from Canterbury, and she’s an each-way player.
Betting Sensation drops back from taking on harder races, and she’s a legitimate threat.
As is Nek Delight, who is well placed in this field despite drawing wide.
Selections: Sandy Shore (1), Zarlini (9), Always A Menace (5), Betting Sensation (10)

Race 5
Treacherous Dreams is racing in excellent heart, and from a perfect draw he should take plenty of catching.
His last start third came in a tougher race and from a wider draw, which looks nice form.
Transonic is in a much tougher spot in barrier 12, but he’s got the motor to be right in the fight.
Beluga has been a model of consistency, and his last start effort has been among his best, making him an each-way threat.
Tua Lipa has prepped for his return today with some excellent trial efforts.
He has a very tough draw to contend with, but he is up to featuring.
Selections: Treacherous Dreams (3), Transonic (12), Beluga (5), Tua Lipa (14)

Race 6
The front line is gold in handicap events at Ascot Park, and it should prove to be a good spot for B D Hall.
He has more upside than most in this race, and his last start gallop on grass is best forgotten, as he’s been a winner at this track.
Kracka Looka is another of the front-markers who can go a big race, and she’s dropping back from harder assignments.
Mixed Faith bolted in in her last outing at Winton, and she’s talented and deserves respect.
Also include The Greek Freak, who has been very consistent lately, and he’s a big hope of making Trifectas and First4s.
Selections: B D Hall (2), Kracka Looka (1), Mixed Faith (13), The Greek Freak (9)

Race 7
B B Crunch gets the advantage of barrier 1 around Ascot Park, and from there she should take some catching.
She takes on a talented field, but that is nothing new given who she has been racing and competing well against at Addington.
Skinny Dippin was outstanding running smart time in an excellent debut at Winton last week, and she’s a big threat.
Ideal Crown has already shown she’s a proven performer in smart company, and her tidy trials suggest she returns in the right order to threaten.
Ebonezy was excellent when runner-up on debut and should only be better for that first race experience. Also consider The Queens Gambit.
Selections: B B Crunch (1), Skinny Dippin (4), Ideal Crown (10), Ebonezy (5)

Race 8
Always B Magic and Duchess Of Kent look set down for an epic head-to-head battle in one of today’s feature events.
Always B Magic was very respectable in recent Group One events at Addington, and she looks well placed here.
Duchess Of Kent disappointed last start, but her prior form was outstanding and she has the key advantage of drawing inside her main rival.
Tosana is in the zone right now, and she looks right up to featuring.
Nothing But You capped a strong form line with a deserved win, and she can make Trifectas and First4s.
Selections: Always B Magic (7), Duchess Of Kent (6), Tosana (5), Nothing But You (4)

Race 9
Mr Love gets a key head-start over his star stablemate Muscle Mountain in today’s trotting feature.
He also gets a 15m advantage over his main rival over a longer distance, which he thrives over.
Muscle Mountain brings proven class to a very suitable race, which he took out impressively last year.
Though his 30m handicap will be no picnic, it is a fair mark, and in a field of seven he should be close enough if good enough.
Princess Sadie steps up to a tough test, but she has the advantage of starting off the front and she’s very honest.
Midnight Dash is a very genuine horse with plenty of experience in these races, include him next.
Selections: Mr Love (6), Muscle Mountain (7), Princess Sadie (2), Midnight Dash (5)

Race 10
Republican Party has been on an incredible spring and summer run, and it can continue when he defends his race crown.
His 20m handicap is a fair mark for such a class performer, and he has the staying power to overcome it.
The Lazarus Effect looks perfectly poised off the front line with his great manners and having proven himself at Group One level.
We Walk By Faith was the first of today’s field home in the New Zealand Cup, which is clearly an outstanding form reference.
The very consistent Alta Meteor must be considered, especially in Trifectas and First4s.
Selections: Republican Party (9), The Lazarus Effect (5), We Walk By Faith (4), Alta Meteor (8)

Race 11
Eun Sogno rates highly after putting gritty back-to-back wins together, showing he won’t shirk today’s task.
Drawing outside his key rivals is clearly no help, but he has proven he can handle working in his races.
Side Hustle comes in off a brilliant Winton win, and he looks full of upside and is a serious winning threat.
Sonofamistery was back in winning form with an easy win last start. He’s a proven class performer, and he’s dangerous when on his game.
Palladium comes in fresh on the back of solid trial work, and he deserves respect.
Selections: Eun Sogno (6), Side Hustle (5), Sonofamistery (7), Palladium (4)

Race 12
J T Boe keeps rising to meet every challenge put in front of him, and this race should be no different. Barrier 8 looks tricky on paper, but he has the class to overcome it.
Seaside Rose has all the ability required to threaten if she can get any luck from her second row draw.
Always Dreaming is similar in that he’s drawn a tricky spot, and he’s clearly right up to featuring. Step It Up A Notch should roll forward and give some cheek, he’s been going in strong races and he’s potent when the mood strikes. Consider Haley Jaccka and Bazooka next in a deep field.
Selections: J T Boe (8), Seaside Rose (11), Always Dreaming (9), Step It Up A Notch (6)