Matthew Cross could not quite bring home the loot for Otago Daily Times readers from the $150,000 Pick6 at Methven last week - but neither did anyone else.
That is not strictly true as someone grabbed 10% of it, but that still means there is $175,000 in play for a Pick6 at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club meeting at Ascot Park tomorrow. It is time for a joint effort, so our canny Southland harness correspondent, Jonny Turner, and I have combined to come up with this suggested bet and our theories behind it.
Leg 1: This is a tough leg to kick off on. Mighty Empire is a big chance, but no certainty. The rest of the field is even so we have gone for a spread with five horses - all off the front line.
You need: Mighty Empire, Cayenne El, Jaccka Tex, Justa Dale, River Patrol.
Leg 2: It is a bit harsh to include a maiden claiming race in a jackpotting Pick6 pool. Even Jonny rates himself as a chance to beat some of them home. Northview Hanover brings passable form, a terrible draw and a champion driver in Dexter Dunn, so it looks enough to get him home. Landloch has faced better fields in Canterbury, hence its woeful formline, and is one to include on his southern debut.
You need: Newmans Jet, Landloch, My Mate Ozz, Taranto, Northview Hanover.
Leg 3: In The Kitty has not won in 17 months but is a serious contender here. He attacked the line strongly in his last run on this track. This field is rather even, so we have had to consider a few others including Summertime Lizzie, who has a good chance of leading from barrier 1.
You need: Summertime Lizzie, In The Kitty, Macy Blue Chip, The Tisbury Terror, Rory.
Leg 4: Pulp Fiction has the benefit of recent racing over his main threats here. The wide spread in earlier legs means we are probably forced to anchor him in race 9 despite the presence of Tas Man Bromac. But Pulp Fiction is a class act when on song, so anchors away!
You need: Pulp Fiction
Leg 5: Two classy 3yr-olds stand out in this leg. Statham was excellent beating Rocker Band last week, and Costa Del Magnifico could get an economical trip.
You need: Statham, Costa Del Magnifico
Leg 6: Splash Cola has made more of a ripple than a decent splash recently with poor manners, but stay loyal to her and throw her in with another mare, Experiment, who looked a certainty beaten last start.
You need: Splash Cola, Experiment
Matt and Jonny's suggested bet.-
Leg 1: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8
Leg 2: 3, 4, 7, 8, 9
Leg 3: 1, 3, 9, 10, 11
Leg 4: 10Leg 5: 2, 9.
Leg 6: 6, 10$25 for 10% of the dividend (500 combinations).
