The Listed Retravision Marathon Handicap (3309m) is the feature event at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The $30,000 standing-start race is the longest race run at headquarters and has attracted 10 starters this year.
However, members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have looked elsewhere when choosing their best bets on the 10-event card.
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator at The West Australian, believes punters can get off to a flyer by supporting Castella Dellacqua in the first.
“Castella Dellacqua made an instant impression when saluting at her local debut a fortnight ago,” Havercroft said. “That was her first outing since winning at Penrith in May and so she should still have natural improvement in her. That combined with the prized inside draw makes her a likely prospect to start the card off on a winning note.”
But that’s not the race script, according to Guild president Wayne Currall.
“I have been impressed by the efforts of the Luke Edwards-trained August Moon since her return from a four-month spell,” Currall said. “She won first-up at GP and then repeated the dose three days later when overcoming interference to flood home to win the Listed Daintys Daughter Classic at Pinjarra. Is a filly with a bright future.”
Veteran tipster Pat Harding is keen on Cyclone Charlotte.
“Looks like another good night for the Greg and Skye Bond stable, but still some pretty small fields,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race six with No. 5 Cyclone Charlotte. This Ray Williams-trained mare has been so consistent and should make it three wins in a row.”
TABradio’s Matt Young and award-winning journalist Ken Casellas have settled on Street Hawk as their best for the evening.
“Street Hawk is really well suited to the longer trip and I am expecting him to bounce back to the winners’ list for Team Bond and Rockets,” Young said.
And Casellas agrees.
“Street Hawk was the victim of circumstances a fortnight ago when his determined bid for the early lead was thwarted by his stablemate Master Yossi, over-racing fiercely, thus leaving him working overtime in the breeze and finishing an unlucky second to the pacemaker,” Casellas said. “This week I’m making Street Hawk my best bet in race seven when he will have options over the longer 2536m journey.”
VALUE BETS
RYAN: Beat The Bank is going very well and rises steeply in class on his Monday Pinjarra success, but might start a silly price in the Marathon Handicap.
WAYNE: I’m playing another all-up this week – and they involve runners from the leading yard of Greg and Skye Bond. Patronus Star into Street Hawk and finishing with Vegas Strip. Go you good things.
PAT: My double comes in race two with No. 7 Whos The Dad. Ran a good second last week and should go one better this week.
MATT: Off The Charts might be forgotten about in the final event and is a very smart animal. Keep very safe.
KEN: For value, I suggest You Fly With Me in the 2130m Sky Racing Pace, in which he has sound prospects of leading from the No. 1 barrier. He covered the final 800m in 56.1sec. when an encouraging first-up fourth behind Cotton On at Bunbury last Tuesday week.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.