Harness Racing Tips & Predictions Saturday 20 June

Last year’s Eureka and Chariots of Fire champion Bay Of Biscay looks the best bet on Saturday night’s harness racing card at Melton Entertainment Park.

The Emma Stewart-trained star broke through for his first win of the campaign in the Maryborough Pacing Cup in late May and appears well placed to make it back-to-back victories in the Melton City Council Free For All at 8.40pm.

He can win from any position, but I think he might work to the front and control the race.

I fancy Carla Pixie and Gunforhire on an each-way basis in the opening events on the card, while Kartiare and Vytis look well placed in their respective assignments.

Meanwhile, the free-for-all trot is a cracker with a few of the runners looking to tune up for upcoming campaigns in Queensland during the winter carnival.

Bronte Nieuwenburg will be on track at Melton for the wall-to-wall coverage via thetrots.com.au, with the first race set to go at 5.05pm.

MELTON, SATURDAY

BEST BETS

R1 #8 CARLA PIXIE

She has a difficult barrier draw inside the second row, but is in a great patch of form at present and with even luck she will give this a big shake. She dead-heated with With Aplomb in a qualifier at Geelong despite doing plenty of work and then clocked the best sections home when a very gallant runner-up to Artigas last Saturday night at Melton. She’s flying and should be some sort of price.

Suggested bet: Each-way

R2 #1 GUNFORHIRE

Ewa Justice jumped aboard this bloke to win and beat a few rivals that reoppose here at Melton on May 23 and returns with the aid of a lovely barrier one draw. Ultimately tipping Major Blitz on top, but Gunforhire looks the play from barrier one on a place-heavy each-way basis.

Suggested bet: Each-way

R6 #9 KARTIARE

The small field of nine should suit Kartiare, who possesses a big finale and has started the campaign in good fashion. He looped his rivals from last first-up at Melton on May 23 and then settled towards the rear and closed nicely to be the first horse home off the pegs when fifth behind I Am The Storm a fortnight ago. I think he’s pretty good and it’s hard to see him not fighting out the finish.

Suggested bet: Win

R8 #6 BAY OF BISCAY

Broke through for his first win of the campaign when working to the lead and dashing too quickly in the Maryborough Pacing Cup during late May. There’s a good chance he’s able to stroll to the top again here, and while he could win from anywhere, it’d be nearly game over if he got the front.

Suggested bet: Win

R9 #6 VYTIS

Ran a great race from the chair when third first-up from a break last weekend, boxing on bravely to beat home three rivals that reoppose here. He was right at the top end of things during his two and three-year-old seasons, and looks to have come back in good order. He’s a classy Group 1 winner and I’m happy his way despite the wide front row gate.

Suggested bet: Win

EARLY QUADDIE

2,6,8,13/1,2,6,10/2,4,5,6,9,10,11/5,6,8

QUADDIE

2,3/4,6,7,9/2,4,6/3,6

GEELONG, FRIDAY

BEST BETS

R2 #11 SHIFFRIN – (win)

R3 #3 SOLS ME NAME – (win)

R4 #4 HAPPILY – (each-way)

R6 #4 RIDETHELIGHTNING – (win)

EARLY QUADDIE

3,11,12,13/1,5,10,11/3,6,7/4,8,9

QUADDIE

Field/1,4,5,6/3/3,4,5,7