Punting Guide for Monday's Southern Surge at Winton

By Jonny Turner 

Wild southern weather has meant harness racing fans have had to wait another 24 hours for the Diamond Creek Farm Southern Bred Southern Reared Southern Surge Finals.

The series has featured the return of several smart types and led to there being five sub-$2 favourites across the 10 races, rescheduled to be run at Winton on Monday.

Harness racing journalist Jonny Turner has delved into the form and come up with a few place prospects punters can consider following, outside of the hot favourites.

Race 1 - Aradne - 1.00pm

This mare chased a handy type in Help Me in her last start second at Oamaru.

While she meets another progressive trotter in Massive Merc, the remainder of the field looks easier company than she took on in that second.

She's well experienced behind the mobile, having placed in six times.

From a nice draw in barrier 3 and with Blair Orange on she looks a big top 3 chance.

At microscopic place odds, a quinella with the favourite looks a more likely option.

Race 5 - Mach A Wish - 2.48pm

This three-year-old has been chasing two of the three smartest maiden winners in the Southern Surge in his last two starts in Off The Canvas and Rocky Balboa.

This time he's drawn right beside the other one in Rakmacknra in barrier 1.

Mach A Wish has done absolutely nothing wrong in his recent starts and from a great draw he looks set to get a lovely run on the markers, possibly behind Rakmacknra.

If he's in the trail or three back on the inner, he should loom as a legitimate place threat.

Those looking for a slightly safer option could consider him for a top 4 spot.

Race 6 - Rise Up N Dance - 3.24pm

Many punters and harness racing fans will have a strained relationship with Rise Up N Dance.

He's started favourite on many occasions and sometimes failed to live up to his true potential.

But he's a consistent performer and it has been great to see him rewarded for his efforts with a Southern Surge heat win at Winton.

From a workable draw in barrier 5, I expected him to be at shorter odds than the $5 and $1.90 prices his odds reopened at on Sunday.

Over a sprint trip that suits him, he looks a great eachway chance.

Race 8 - Major Burns - 3.53pm

An excellent last start second signalled this honest performer is ready to make his mark in his Southern Surge assignment.

Major Burns burnt hard to make the lead before fighting on gamely in smart time in his second at Ascot Park.

He clashes with the winner The Dancer again, which is no easy task.

And he also has to take on Indulge Me, who looks one of the hardest horses to beat on the entire card.

But from barrier 1 and the prospect of some classically positive Kirstin Green driving, Major Burns must rate a handy place hope.

Race 10 - Cracker Opie - 5.08pm 

The final Southern Surge Final is set to be a stirring contest with all of the key chances drawing tricky spots.

The speed is set to be on with those on the second line certain to have to work into the race at some stage.

In this scenario, Cracker Opie could be one to work into the race and round off nicely.

He's in great touch, just forget his last start which turned into something of a disaster.

At nice odds, Cracker Opie looks a solid place threat.

To see the fields and odds for Monday's meeting click here