The Sky Racing 3YO WA Derby (2536m) headlines a stellar 10-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Betting on the $200,000 Group 1 feature has been dominated by Never Ending, a Sweet Lou gelding from the stables of big-race winning trainer Justin Prentice.
Never Ending, the winner of 12 of his 13 starts, will be driven by champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr and looks the testing material – as evidenced by his pre-race quote of $1.34.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have, understandably, looked elsewhere when assessing the meeting for best bets.
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can line their pockets early doors by supporting Steno in race two.
“Steno, now in the stables of Jocelyn Young, has the speed to cross to the front from her favourable draw in gate three,” Currall said. “Two starts ago the four-year-old mare found the top and recorded an easy win over the brilliant Wonderful To Fly. On that occasion, Steno carved out the final 800m in a blistering 55.7. Rivals will find her extremely hard to reel in if she can repeat that effort.”
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator from The West Australian, and longshot guru Pat Harding are keen on Star Lavra in race three.
“Star Lavra is first emergency for the WA Derby and so should be the best credentialled runner in the Consolation,” Havercroft said. “Though a beaten favourite at his last two outings, he should be nearing his peak for this third-up assignment and has drawn the better half of the front line, allowing Gary Hall Jr to place him near the speed.”
And Harding agrees with his younger colleague.
“Looks like being a pretty tough meeting at GP this Friday night,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race three with No. 4 Star Lavra. He is well placed to record a good win.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, believes punters can end the evening on a winning note with Dardy Boy.
“Smart four-year-old Dardy Boy’s connections are eager to boost his prospects of a start in next month’s $200,000 Golden Nugget and barrier one this week will give him a strong winning chance,” Manning said. “The gelding has been beaten at his past 15 starts, but he was placed in three of four races since October 10. He faced the breeze when third and second in two of his latest Gloucester Park appearances. Looks ready for his fourth victory at headquarters.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: Middlepage is the best horse in the night’s only stand, but he has to overcome the 40m handicap. Don’t underestimate this Lindsay Harper-trained and driven horse. He’s capable of beating this field and should go around at each-way odds.
RYAN: Skylou has only missed the place once in eight starts and we are likely to get each-way odds for a Gary Hall Sr runner that will get a soft trip over the longer trip.
PAT: My double comes up in race two with No. 6 Taking The Miki. A good last-start win and should repeat the dose here.
ERNIE: Rocket City, who won Gloucester Park races at three of his first four starts, is capable of bouncing back from a five-race losing run. The gelding, trained by Dylan-Egerton-Green, has tackled strong company when he was an Alcoa Cup runner-up at Pinjarra and unplaced in Gloucester Park’s Western Gateway Pace at his past two appearances. He is a winner of six races at headquarters and cannot be underrated.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.