Harness Racing

Harness Racing Tips

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Check out today's harness racing tips across all Australian races.

OVERVIEW: MICTON MOUSE (8) gets a nice trailing draw from the second line and should follow thorough into a handy position and be in striking range to be running home strongly. One of the main chances. Both GO GEORGE GO (1) and MISTER REBEL (3) have early gate speed and should settle on the speed and both can be in this for a long way whilst MONSIEUR FLAMEL (2) has an ideal draw to be amongst the chances whilst KYLOAN QUEEN (10) and PLAYNICE (11) should be the ones running home strongly if the tempo is solid.

EARLY SPEED: 1,2,3

RATINGS: 8/ 1/ 3/ 2/ 10/ 11

OVERVIEW: CAPATAIN GRAYWOOD (2) hasn’t had much racing for a 6yo and resumes from a short break. Has shown ability and gate speed in the past. A recent trial winner and should appreciate the pole position. Can run well in this. FRANKYTHEFRENCHMAN (6) resumes from a break and has shown gate speed and his only win was at this track. Can run well fresh. LOVENUS (1) has been teasing for a while and though having natural talent she still has her share of quirks. Another good run at her last start and she deserves to break through for her maiden win and to reward her dedicated trainer, Kaylene Ward. MASSIF CENTRAL (7) interesting runner with poor figure form however could be suited from outside the front- line draw and with the engagement of James Herbertson, he just might have the midas touch to click with this horse. Don’t dismiss. NUCLEAR ATTITUDE (5) improved run last start and has place claims along with both BLACKGRANGE GLORY (11) and TOUCHANDGO (4).

EARLY SPEED: 2,6,7

RATINGS: 2/ 6/ 1/ 7/ 5/ 11/ 4

OVERVIEW: TUBS NOW SLIM (5) he put on an impressive display to lead and win last start. If he does repeat the same performance here, he will be hard to run down. ADEBARAN MARSHALL (11) can show improvement on his three performances to date. He’s still learning his trait and expect a strong showing. ALDEBARAN SELENA (2) continues to improve and from the draw has claims along with KELLYBUSH (7) finished off strongly late last start and might be the value chance. ALWAYS SKYE HIGH (8) that has ability but faces a tricky draw has claims along with lats start winner DOUBLE DOT (4).

EARLY SPEED: 2,4,5

RATINGS: 5/ 11/ 2/ 8/ 7/ 4

OVERVIEW: SOME AMERICAN (5) smart 3yo resuming from a spell. Runner up in the 2yo Breeders Crown Final at his last run and should be winning this. SKY CITY (3) continues to race well and is close to a win. Bumps into a smart one here but will be chasing hard. TOPSIES BLING (10) good effort to win last start, harder here but is a definite place chance along with SUPER CODE (8) that will strip fitter for his solid first up placing whilst BOZANARROW (6) and SPIRIT OF PEARL (11) are racing well and must be included in the placings and first fours.

EARLY SPEED: 3,5

RATINGS: 5/ 3/ 10/ 8/ 6/ 11

OVERVIEW: GAWN (5) was first up when fading after leading at Melton last start in very fast times. Smart pacer that will strip fitter here and this looks an easier assignment. Hard to beat. AXE AND DEEZ (6) is a lightly raced pacer showing loads of promise. Unplaced last start but prior form was solid. Can threaten. Both JAMES GARNER (2) and UNDERATTACK (3) have favourable draws, both have gate speed to settle handy and are genuine place hopes whilst WIND SOCK (4) is going well and must be included in the first four chances.

EARLY SPEED: 2,3,5,6

RATINGS: 5/ 6/ 2/ 3/ 4

OVERVIEW: SHADY DANCER (9) good effort to win last start by leading throughout. Harder here but with a nice trailing draw can figure in the finish again. HARRO HILL (10) has been racing against stronger company and looks well placed in this after an encouraging performance last start. Can run well. DANCIN DOLLY (7) has been in good form though slightly disappointing last start after leading and being swamped over the concluding stages when leading. Might make amends here. SUE NIEN (4) MURIEL (5) ONA MERRY DANCE (1) SNAZOLA (3) all have favourable draws and strike a race that lacks depth, all have claims to figure in the placings and first fours.

EARLY SPEED: 2,4,5

RATINGS: 9/ 10/ 7/ 4/ 5/ 1/ 3

OVERVIEW: LINCOLN RIVER (10) former Kiwi that arrives from New Zealand and has raced against much stronger company and looks well placed in this. Expect a big showing at his Australian debut. CELEBRITY ROYAL (11) lightly raced 4yo that shows loads of talent. Resumes here since November and has been tuned up with a trial win. Definite threat. Stable mates OZZIUE PUNTA (3) and WATTLEBANK ARNIE (2) can take up forward positions and be well poised throughout. Must be respected. EAGLE WATCH (9) is a capable pacer when right. Tricky draw but strips fitter. Should be running home late. STAG PARTY (1) drawn nicely and is going better than the figure form reads. First four hope.

EARLY SPEED: 2,3

RATINGS: 10/ 11/ 3/ 2/ 9/ 1

OVERVIEW: SWIZZLESTICK (9) worked too hard without cover last start and is a much better sit and sprint type pacer. Fitter here being third up. Each way value chance. EPIC ERNIE (3) improving type in the powerful Julie Douglas stable that was close last start. Can threaten. PARK LANE (4) good effort to win last start and looks well placed to be in the finish again. JILLIBY TYPHOON (10) super impressive winning last start reversing some poor figure form. A repeat performance can have him fighting the finish out again. ALFNALMA (11) a last start winner that should be running home strongly. TOOBY GOLD (2) CALYPSO MISSTRESS (1) HARLEY BLUE (6) GENERAL LINCOLN (7) ROYAL SAXON (8) all have ability and must be respected in this concession drivers’ race.

EARLY SPEED: 1,2,3,4

RATINGS: 9/ 3/ 4/ 10/ 11/ 2/ 1/ 6/ 7/ 8

OVERVIEW: LOYOLA GOLF (5) resumes from a break but has shown good ability when right. A recent trial winner and can run well fresh. TIGER OF OLD (2) is going well and working up to a win. Drawn nicely and must be respected along with MYNAMEISRUBY (1) that will get every chance from the draw. PRESIDENTIALCHANGE (8) strips fitter and can be a big improver here. Keep safe. HEZASECRET (9) lightly raced 8yo pacer with ability and resuming from a very long layoff Can run well fresh. AVEIRO (10) has race fitness and this race suits. Should be running home late and would not surprise.

EARLY SPEED: 1,2,5

RATINGS: 5/ 2/ 1/ 8/ 9/ 10

Get Free Harness Racing Tips at Punters

Punters provides free harness tips for all races across Australia every day. From Ballarat to Redcliffe and every harness track in between, our detailed race tips provide the top selections across every upcoming meeting.

Champion mare Ladies In Red in action before her injury in late 2022 (Photo: Stuart McCormick)

Prefer To Do Your Own Tips? Use Punters Harness Form Guide!

Want to know how we tip our harness race selections? These are the top form factors to consider for upcoming harness races:

Trainer & Driver Statistics

In thoroughbred and greyhound racing, the trainer is generally the biggest consideration when it comes to punting on a runner. However, for harness races, while the trainers are very important, they share the limelight with the drivers as well.

Following the big stables and successful trainers remains important, but when it comes to harness racing, that’s partly because these stables are the ones that can engage the best drivers.

A good and bad drive can certainly be the difference between winning and losing when it comes to harness racing, with the best drivers having the ability to improve their horses significantly in the run. Both the trainers and drivers should be considered when assessing the form for a race.

Horse Class

Horses can’t all be equal! Overall winning records may look impressive, but were they achieved at higher-quality metropolitan events which attract the best opposition, or in more modest company in the country.

Last 10 Record

The Last 10 record gives punters an overview on how a horse has been travelling in more recent times. A horse may have a good overall record but over time it may suffer injuries and have fitness problems or simply become less interested in racing. The Last 10 record gives punters the most recent overview of whether the horse is in form or not, while a record from This Season (TS) goes even further and gives the most up-to-date details for upcoming harness races.

Lifetime Stakemoney

Stakemoney or prizemoney is another good indicator of a horse’s quality. Higher value races naturally attract a higher quality of opposition, so a horse with higher stakemoney has logically beaten better quality opposition than one with less stakemoney over a similar career.

Mobile & Standing Start Record

Uniquely, harness races have two different types of starting formats, with horses often responding better to a mobile start than a standing start, or vice-versa.

Career Record

Everything else aside… can your horse actually find the finish line? Career performance tells you exactly if the horse makes a habit of finishing up the front.

Now that you know what to look out for in runners, head over to the Punters harness form guide and put your learnings into practice. You can then check your selections against the Punters harness racing tips to add another level of research to your punting.

Understanding Different Harness Race Types

When assessing form, it’s important to differentiate between the two types of harness racing in Australia. Racehorses compete in two gaits, pacing and trotting, and trotters may enter pacing events, but not vice versa.

With a more powerful stride, Pacers move faster. As such they are generally more favoured among owners, trainers and punters.

Trotters, though, employ a different gait that isn’t as powerful.

Trotting has a diagonal gait, where each leg moves in time with the leg diagonally opposite to it: the front left leg moves with the rear right leg, and the front right leg moves with the rear left leg.

Pacing however is a lateral gait where the two left legs move together and the right legs move together. This movement produces speed that cannot be matched by trotting. The mile rates achieved by pacers are therefore far superior to those recorded by trotters.

Trotters are allowed to enter pacers’ events as well as their own. This can be fairly rare however, as the slower times makes it difficult for a trotter to be competitive among elite pacers.

Whether you prefer pacing or trotting events, Punters has the latest tips covering both harness race types.

Get Tips For All Major Australian Harness Races

There are several major Australian harness races and Punters has harness racing tips for all of them!

The biggest Australian harness race would have to be the Inter Dominion. The Inter Dominion – or Inter-Dom – is a Group 1 harness racing event conducted between Australian and New Zealand horses. It includes Heats and a Final and the venue for these is shared on a rotating basis each year between New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand.

Other big Group 1 harness races include the:

Miracle Mile Pace
A G Hunter Cup
Chariots of Fire
Victoria Cup
Australian Pacing Championship
Australian Pacing Gold
Inter Dominion Pacing Championship
Inter Dominion Trotting Championship.

And, don’t forget that Punters provides free harness tips for all these races and in-depth harness racing news from harness racing expert Adam Hamilton.

Review Tip Performance With Harness Racing Results

If you want to know how our harness tips are performing, check out our harness racing results page, where you can see today’s race results and the past results for all Australian harness races.