Early favourites dominate futures markets for November features

[Wandering Eyes]

The Tab recently opened some long term markets around feature races in November so here’s an early look forward with harness analyst Greg O’Connor. 

The three-year-old season has a predictable feel to it with last season’s 2yo’s of their respective season’s dominating the early bird markets. Marketplace is basically $1.40 in every major race he is likely to line up including the2nd running of the Velocity and of course the jewel in the 3yo year, the Garrards NZ Pacing Derby. His nearest rival and most likely to bridge the gap in the second half of the season, Got the Chocolates is on the second line of betting and is the last horse to beat the star 3yo ahead of Rubira who is the only other horse to have beaten him this year and is currently campaigning in Queensland. The big mover since moving south has been Bar Louie ($12) who is yet to get to the above trio’s level but looks capable having won all three runs in his current campaign.

Similarly in the 3yo trotting ranks the brilliant Meant To Be dominates both of the above races, the Derby and The Accent in his age group. The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan trained son of Father Patrick is unbeaten in three runs as a 3yo with the emerging Rogue Hero ($4.00) and Tarragindi ($5.00) on the next line of betting. The former a son of Marcoola has been super impressive winning half of his six starts for trainers Ken Ford and Amanda Tomlinson, including his last two whilst the latter looks an immense talent for master trainer Phil Williamson. He was 2nd to Rogue Hero first up before beating the older horses by seven lengths at his only other run. 

The Christian Cullen is in its second year after Rakero Rocket provided an upset in December. The market reflects the emerging talent amongst the 4yo’s although the top three spots are headed up by stars of the back end of last season’s three-year-old year. Chase A Dream ($3) and We Walk By Faith ($3) and Better Knuckle Up ($7) all won features in October and November last year with the latter stealing the show in the Inaugural running of the Hill, Lee and Scott Velocity. Since then they have all had mixed campaigns giving plenty of hope to the emerging crop. Sideshow Bruce ($7) has been super since joining the Bob Butt team with Harrison John ($8), Duchess Megxit ($10) and Vessem ($10) all have the credentials to play a part on the big night which this year is a week after IRT NZ Cup Week.

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