Unofficial Harness Racing Power Rankings - June '22
It’s been some time since we had a crack at the pacing power rankings.
So much has happened.
We’ve seen a few stars move on from racing. Some will try and parent the next batch of superstars in the breeding barn. Whilst the inevitability of injury from elite level racing has claimed a few as well.
But the next batch are here. And more than capable.
ID22 will spring to life toward the back end of 2022 which is always the jewel in the Harness Racing crown. But, there’s a bevy of open class contests between now and then - with much of the focus now shifting to Queensland for the Carnival of Constellations.
We’ve recently witnessed an Auckland Cup, plus the inaugural slot race in this part of the world and once the sun stops shining on Queensland, all attention will move to an October Victoria Cup.
1 SELF ASSURED (All Stars, New Zealand)
Reigning NZ Cup champ, winner of first-ever The Race and winner of two Auckland Cups. All since November - when does he come to Oz ?
2 SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (Team McCarthy, New South Wales)
An Aussie debut win at Goulburn paying almost $3. Hindsight, hey?
Loved his ID campaign and he just kept stepping up in some of our major country cups.
Speed has always been there but he’s getting stronger as well and has a lovely relationship with Jack Callaghan.
Returned to racing in slick fashion at Albion Park and is primed for an assault on the Queensland riches.
3 MACH SHARD (Team McCarthy, New South Wales)
Have been blown away by his versatile wins in Queensland. One utilising incredible speed and one making a sustained wide run and being too classy for them.
Was a Group 1 winner as a baby and had he not been scratched from a Hunter Cup he’d have run 2nd at the very least. He's value for the Blacks A Fake over the staying trip.
4 EXPENSIVE EGO (Team McCarthy, New South Wales)
He needed the break. He got the break and now he hopefully returns in beast mode.
He threw away an ID crown but his best in even lengths better than what we saw there. One of the only bulls left among the elite bunch of open class pacers. Luke McCarthy has spoken glowingly of the big son of Rock N Roll Heaven in recent weeks.
5 SPANKEM (All Stars, New Zealand)
Finally returned from a long injury layoff and has been excellent in doing so. A Group 1 winner of the FFA and even though he’s never been a lover of the two miles, his Auckland Cup run was superb. I doubt he can ever go 1:47.7 in front again but he’s still a force against the current crop.
6 BONDI LOCKDOWN (Aaron Dunn, Victoria)
How does he come back ? That’s the million dollar Q because if he comes back well, he probably earns a million or so in the next season of racing.
An enforcer who loves to do things tough but it’s a hard old life always being the one pouring on the pressure.
7 TRIPLE EIGHT (Jess Tubbs, Victoria)
I’m not converted yet. I need to see more than uncoiling off cold trips or beating up on average Victorian FFA horses.
This is his campaign to prove he’s more than that. Remember, he could not get near those at the top when he was living in Kiwi Land.
8 MAGNIFICENT STORM (Ray Williams, Western Australia)
So hard to line these West Aussie horses up.
His best looks irrepressible but when - or if - will we see it over here against the best of the rest? His return to racing at Gloucester Park was immense, but we need to see him against the best of the east coast brigade - whether that's here or there is beside the point.
9 LADIES IN RED (Emma Stewart, Victoria)
Some give her no hope at this level. Some think she will be a contender. I’m not sure either way but she is brilliant and she deserves her place as the only mare in this list of ten. Her crack at the boys in the upcoming Rising Sun will be so telling as to her standing and future in the open class ranks.
10 A G WHITE SOCKS (Team McCarthy, New South Wales)
A real watch under the care of Team McCarthy. His gate speed and style of racing should be suited to the Australian style. He won a Ballarat Cup hard-held, but has not won since.
Is there still something under the hood ?
NEXT IN LINE -
MAJESTIC CRUISER - A surprise Group 1 winner in New Zealand and has been a genuine improver/surprise packet for many months.
COPY THAT - Off the scene through injury, otherwise he's comfortably inside the top 10.
ROCK N ROLL DOO - Sat in the breeze in a Chariots of Fire lead-up and blew away a great field. He looks a work in progress but the motor is undeniable.
BETTER ECLIPSE - A Chariots of Fire winner in sizzling time and a Miracle Mile place-getter already. Only just 4 and starting out his open class career.