MAGNETIC BECKERS
Race 3
Timing can be everything on harness racing's biggest days and it looks like the timing could be right for Magnetic Beckers on group 1 Invercargill Cup day.
The 5-year-old has built form and fitness with consistent efforts through the spring and summer.
Magnetic Beckers' last-start sixth was OK, but crucially it came in rating 51-65 grade.
The pacer drops significantly in company today into a rating 45-50 event.
From barrier 5 and with a positive driver on board in Kirstin Green, Magnetic Beckers looks to get a royal winning shot in race 3.
SECRET AGENT MAN
Race 6
In 1700m sprints at Ascot Park, it is often the best-positioned horse who wins, rather than the most talented horse in the race.
Today, it can be both in Secret Agent Man.
The 3-year-old has been handled patiently by Nathan Williamson and over the space of several months he will have had two starts.
And it is no coincidence that those two starts have come on Southland's two biggest race days, Diamonds day and Invercargill Cup day.
Secret Agent Man has clearly been aimed at today's big meeting and he looks a big winning chance from a workable draw.
LAKELSA
Race 11
This in-form mare looks as good as any winning chance.
Trainer Regan Todd targeted quality mares' races with the 4-year-old through October and November and she competed with real merit.
Lakelsa then dropped back in grade and won at Addington, somehow dragging a completely demolished tyre.
Her assignment today looks no harder than she has faced recently and Lakelsa should prove very hard to beat.
Ruby Roe
Race 8
Ruby Roe is clearly the top pick in the Canada Stakes on the back of her excellent recent group 1 efforts which have come from tough draws.
Those who have followed the filly for long enough will know she has produced below-par efforts in both of her starts at Ascot Park.
That is the only major query because if Ruby Roe runs up to her potential she should be hard to beat.
It will be up to punters to decide if her win price is worth the risk of coming up against her Ascot Park curse.
But purely on talent, Ruby Roe is one of the horses to beat on Invercargill Cup day.
Aint No Angel
Race 12
If there is a value play at Invercargill today it is Aint No Angel and rather conveniently she's starting in the "Get Out Stakes".
The mare returned with an excellent fresh-up third at Oamaru recently and she is bound to strip fitter for this week's assignment.
While she is well up to competing, the big question is where Aint No Angel will land in the running from barrier 1.
She is not known to have gate speed and she has a gate flyer beside her in Bobbie's Rock.
While it might not be a perfect scenario, at double-figure odds Aint No Angel can make her mark if any luck comes her way.
