Matt Cross goes race to race at Addington tonight

Commentator Matt Cross has done some serious homework ahead of tonight's meeting at Addington. He shares his thought race by race. 

Race 1 : 4:53pm - IRT & TAB UNSUNG HEROS RACE NIGHT MOBILE PACE

Lochdarragh looks the horse to beat here. He’s a big rolling type who was disadvantaged here last time with a soft tempo and a fast sprint home (56.6 last 800m). It was an excellent run from him there to make up as much ground as what he did. He’s got a front row draw from the mobile and I'm taking an educated guess that he will be put into the race from there. On his trial form and his run here last week he looks a good bet. Dangers include Revolution who is the only horse on the second row so will have options. He was only 5L away from some talented types in the Harness 7000 two starts back. He’s another that has also shown some talent at the trials. Shard De Arch powered home for the second start in a row last time and looks a contender again. Brandi Snapp is also very consistent. Somewhat of an eftpos machine so far in her career and a maiden win looks close. Lochdarragh should go forward and get every chance here.
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Selections 9-10-2-3

Race 2 : 5:19pm - THE NATALIE LATIMER TROT

Going to go the way of a horse on debut here. Countless Questions is his name. He’s a big raw type but looks to have a good brain. The long striding son of Imperial Count caught my attention in his latest trial where he whizzed past and won easily by 2L. Debutants are not easy to back with confidence but I’d be surprised if he wasn’t winning one quick. Brother Johnson has the benefit of four race day runs. He’s far from the full package but from what I can see I think he will appreciate the big roomy track here at Addington and the 2600m distance will favour him also. Diamond Harbour is going well enough to threaten most of these and with her reliable nature she’s a lock in for exotics. Tinkerbelle has ability, she just needs to hustle a big early and get the right trip and she won’t be far from them at the finish. Countless Questions and Brother Johnson look better than maidens.
Selections 3-11-5-7

Race 3 : 5:46pm - THE JILL SMITHERAM and PAIGE NICOL MOBILE PACE

This is a headscratcher of a race. Plenty of form and it’s going to come down to where some of the favoured runners get to in transit and how much work they will have to do in order to get their chance. Munroe’s Mate looks a good each way play from the second row. He was second to a subsequent winner (Renegade) here at his last start. If he gets a chance to work into this he’s a huge chance. Dave Duley draws outside second row but even from there he can make his own luck. His sectionals last time on The URB (56.9 & 27.6) suggest that he’s in the right shape to win this. Itz Flash Harry may notice the step up in company but the time that he ran at Oamaru to win says he’s capable of the step up. I think he’s quite a talented horse. Outside front row no aid though. Magician has been OK in two runs this time in. Maybe seeking a length or two more from him but if he produced his best he can win. Munroe’s Mate each way for me.
Selections 11-14-9-2

Race 4 : 6.17pm - THE ANDREW McKERROW TROT

Fear And Faith is the best of the night here. Second in The Southland Oaks at her latest start she lobs into an up to R49 and she should win this for fun. She’s very fast, and has a solid record at 2600m. Get on. Place chances include Buffy Northstains who looks to be hitting her straps again after her third placing behind Crazy N Love here last week. She just needs an ounce of luck to get into the minors. Bullit Train was a bit all over the show early in his gait here last time. There's no doubting his ability if he got the start right. Bounce N Beyond has won better races than this, but he’s several lengths off his best at the moment. Fear And Faith is the best of the night by a long way.
Selections 9-14-5-8

Race 5 : 6:45pm - THE GREG PRENDERGAST MOBILE PACE

We Walk By Faith had nothing go his way in the Canprint Flying Stakes (Gr. 1) at his last start. He was getting a nice cart into it before the horse in front of him broke, he was pushed wider and it was game over after that considering they ran the last 800m in 55.9. Wish Me Luck maps to get a sweet run on the pegs. He should hold up enough to ensure he doesn’t get shuffled back too far also. He was second last start and beat Borrisokane who was a most impressive winner of his latest hit out. Mako is a 3yo on the up. He couldn't have been any better in the Flying Stakes last start. If he gets some luck he’s one who can get some. Helium might have a crack early and if he find the pegs he’ll be a good place chance. We Walk By Faith is the best credentialed horse in the race and even if he goes back at the start his turn of foot brings him right into it.
Selections 8-1-11-7

Race 6 : 7:19pm - THE NIGEL & BRENDA ARMSTRONG MOBILE PACE

Joyride returns after a 145-day break. She was Group 3 placed at her most recent start. Trials have been good without being extraordinary but from the Dalgety barn she will be ready to rumble. Strikem is racing great. Had to make his own luck last time and only got nabbed the last 100m. This could actually be a weaker race too. Captain Christian is still on the up I think. His gait isn't 100% just yet and he probably had his chance to win in front at Oamaru last time. Hopefully he’s improved a bit off that. Elektra King will find this easier and a win here wouldn’t surprise. Not too confident about anything here. Elektra King might be some value top three.
Selections 2-7-8-3

Race 7 : 7:51pm - HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETE SMITH FILLIES & MARES MOBILE PACE

Stella Rouge is one of Canterbury's better two year old fillies. She’s got to take on the older hardened mares here though so it’s not going to be an easy task. She’s got a couple of options, she can have a go early and try and take luck out of play, or sit back and try to get them for speed. I like the horse but I wouldn’t be so sure that this is going to be a walk in the park for her. Dynasty was excellent here last time out, she was back in running and only got out late. She was flashing at them but never a chance with the way the race panned out. She might be one to make her own luck from the second row. Dancing Desire is a tough mare who doesn’t mind a dog fight. She was 3 1/2L from Mantra Blue here last time and that sort of form is good enough to get some here. Classic Linc has all the ability in the world but she’s one that needs her stars to align in perfect order to be winning. Don’t drop her, she might pop up in this.
Selections 4-13-9-8

Race 8 : 8:23pm - MACCA LODGE SIRES' STAKES 2YO FILLIES CLASSIQUE (MOB TROT) (Gr3)

Atlantic City looks to have the all round game. Gate speed, gait, willingness, and of course breeding. I love the way she won here last time she just kept finding another gear late and having had that run and one other here at the track she’s guaranteed to be improved again. Drawn three she's the one they have to beat. Ya Rite Darl is a very good filly, potentially she’s found her peak whereas the former may still be on the up. Then again I could also be very wrong. She was less then a length away from the Purdon/Phelan pair in the Harness Million last time, she’s also race hardened here which helps. Queen Kizen has improved every time she has stepped out this prep. The Barron stable have given her a quiet trial to tick her over and she looked good there. Can win. Luby’s Luck if she trots from one might be a place hope.
Selections 3-6-5-1

Race 9 : 8:53pm - THE ALAN GIBSON HANDICAP PACE

Charlie Brown surely gets a win on the board this week. He’s done everything but win this prep. The bonus for him now is that his consistency has earnt him a spot in the top 15 for The New Zealand Cup and so it should have. He will eat up the 20m here and get himself into the race. Xlendi is having his first stand start but looked to begin fast in a stand start trial at the start of this prep. If he can get an advantage early he’s got a big motor and has already matched it with most of these. Mo’unga was excellent in the Canterbury Classic two back when sixth. Things didn’t go to plan last start so forget about that. He’s capable of winning here. Lester has a sharp sprint, if he's in the first five turning in he can get some too. Charlie Brown deserves this.
Selections 7-2-11-5

Race 10 : 9:23pm - THE RICHARD BROMLEY MOBILE PACE

Stephs Boy has the gate speed and experience over most here. An eight race winner he meets a few here that have either only won one or two races. Ensure you've got him in your picks here. Toby Tom B was stiff here last time, went to the line hard held, plugs still in. Third up this prep does B Orange roll the dice and go forward early? Maybe so. Watching Brief is 98 days between runs, she was placed in a trial behind Straight Flush who won here last week. She’s also had a quiet workout at Methven where she was second. Jose Quivera could be the blowout. I’d be happy to shop him top four, fingers crossed he gets a nice run.
Selections 1-9-2-11

Race 11 : 9:52pm - THE MURRAY HOWARD HANDICAP TROT

Confessional is the horse to beat here even off 20m. He was super on the clock winning here two back (3.15.7 on The URB). Anything similar to that has him winning this. So long as he steps, which he didn’t here last time. Forgiveness won with the hood still on here last week and beat some pretty talented 3yo’s in doing so. Back to the stand is some query but she’s in grand order. Eurokash has matched is with the best over his time as a race horse. He galloped here last time, prior to that he was fourth to Mighty Logan. That form outweighs most in this. Muscle Sass can step and run early, she wasn’t bad on the clock here last time out either, running 56.9 & 28.4 on The URB. If Confessional trots away it might not matter where he gets to in the run.
Selections 14-9-15-6

Race 12 : 10:24pm - IRT. YOUR HORSE. OUR PASSION. MOBILE PACE

Eastwood Dream and Bettor Be Sharp ran the quinella here last week and I see no reason that they cant do it again. There's no real difference under the conditions. Delightful Dreams has a decent turn of foot, he might just need a few things to go his way from the inside second row draw. Tabasco wasn’t favoured by the lack of mid race tempo here last time. He’s a nice stayer that just lacks real high speed. So if its a fast run contest that brings him into it. Not a lot of confidence here.
Selections 7-9-10-5

Best Bet R4 Fear And Faith
Value Bet R10 Stephs Boy
Longshot Bet R3 Itz Flash Harry

(Courtesy www.trackside.co.nz)