Racing: Gotta Go Harmony hopes to resume on high note

The Harness Jewels winning filly returns to racing in a superb opening northern heat of the Sires' Stakes Series, with strong recent form spread throughout the field.

But while there are some good-class fillies on show, Gotta Go Harmony indicated last season she could be a very special filly.

She was not only competitive against the colts, beating Smiling Shard in a Young Guns heat before running second in the final, she often overcame her own erratic tendencies to outstay her rivals.

But her stamina reserves could be sorely tested, if she even gets a chance to use them at all, tonight after she drew the inside of the second line.

Cambridge is one of the hardest tracks on which to overcome a second-line draw in a sprint race, especially one on the second line in a capacity field for a filly fresh-up.

Gotta Go Harmony does follow out a fast beginner in Casarina but the latter's driver, Maurice McKendry, will be aware of the threat potentially on his back so even if Casarina held the lead she would be expected to give it away.

That means Gotta Go Harmony faces being three deep or having to push out and come wide. Neither option makes her an attractive betting proposition, no matter how good she is. On a more positive note, she should be in for a good season if looks are anything to go by.

"She is bigger and stronger and has put on 30kg since the Jewels," said trainer Sue Martin.

"She went to the workouts last week and won well but she was still mucking around like she does."

While Gotta Go Harmony will have her supporters tonight, the Mark Purdon pair of Casarina and Secret Potion could be better chances, alongside Supremacy. All have gate speed and one of them should find the front while another trails.

Choosing which two of the three you see falling into that scenario and then backing them both may be the safest investment option. The field does contain plenty of high-class fillies though and Elsa, Matai Mies, De Lovely and Sixpence could all win without surprising.

The clash of good 3-year-olds Five Star Anvil and Shady Su looks the other highlight of tonight's Cambridge meeting while the best southern 3-year-old fillies will square off at Addington later in the night.

That heat should be dominated by Lancome, who produced a stunning comeback win against the boys at Addington last Friday.