The $200,000 4YO Retravision Golden Nugget Pace (2536m) headlines a strong nine-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Tuesday’s barrier draw ensured that the feature will be a hotly contested affair, with many winning chances.
Finding the winner won’t be an easy task, but veteran journalist Ken Casellas, a long-time member of the WA Trotting Media Guild, believes he has the answer.
“The Retravision Golden Nugget is a wide-open affair, with many winning chances,” Casellas said. “But I’m pinning my faith on Star Casino and am making him my best bet, following his strong win in the 4YO Championship and then his sound fourth behind Wonderful To Fly in the 4YO Classic. He is favourably drawn at barrier two and Dylan Egerton-Green should have him in a commanding position all the way.”
Media Guild president Wayne Currall is looking to start the evening out on a winning note by making Sister Cherie his best bet in the first race, which is due to kick-off at the later start time of 6.49pm.
“The Ray Williams-trained Sister Cherie has been most impressive since arriving in WA,” Currall said. “The former Kiwi filly is unbeaten in her four runs here and although she’s drawn wide and faces a good field, I’m still confident she’s got the class to salute.”
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator from The West Australian, and TABradio’s Matt Young are keen on Arma Xfactor in the second race of the night.
“Arma Xfactor resumed last week when doing all of the work in the breeze, yet stuck on to only go under by 4.5m in the 4YO Classic Consolation,” Havercroft said. “He gets the prized inside draw for his second-up assignment in the Golden Nugget Consolation and the extra 400m won’t worry him, evidenced by a victory over this distance in August.”
And Young agrees.
“Arma Xfactor second up, ideally drawn and has good ability, gate speed and staying class,” Young said. “He looks very hard to beat.”
Lonhshot guru Pat Harding is looking at race six to unveil his best bet for the evening.
“Another disappointing meeting at GP with only nine races and the last two with only six runners in each,” Harding said. “Tough on punters and tipsters alike. My best bet comes up in race six with No. 4 Im Themightylucy. Disappointing last week but has the ability to bounce back and win.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, has made his star bet Carana in the night’s stand.
“New Zealand import Carana, a winner at nine of 19 appearances in standing start races, looks set to overcome a 10m handicap on Friday night,” Manning said. “In peak form with seven victories from his last 11 starts, he is emerging as a class performer for co-trainers Greg and Skye Bond. The gelding was restricted to country racing in his first five WA starts, while adapting to a new environment. He won twice at Gloucester Park when switched to the city last October and again impressed when a headquarters runner-up two weeks ago.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Eye Better in race six in which he should gain a good passage from the inside of the back line. He was shuffled back to seventh on the pegs at the bell before running home fast along the sprint lane to finish third behind Lil Happy Fella at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon.
WAYNE: The Kevin Keys-trained Alcopony looks a great each-way chance in the Nugget. He flooded home when third behind Wonderful To Fly in the 4YO Classic. He’s drawn well, the extra distance suits and the engagement of Ryan Warwick to do the steering are all positives.
RYAN: Extraordinary Mary has been racing well in stands, saluting at her last two attempts from behind the strands before a last-start seventh under mobile conditions. Looks a good each-way play.
MATT: Thomson Bay should get a soft run and he excels when on the peg line. Should go well if he gets clear.
PAT: My double comes up in race seven with the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Carana. Has great form and should win again.
ERNIE: Barrier two should give Mr Chip a chance to bounce back in the Golden Nugget Consolation, after only one placing from his past six starts. The gelding, trained by Dylan Egerton-Green, showed big potential with seven wins before his slump and connections had high hopes he would earn a start in the Golden Nugget. He faced the breeze at Pinjarra last Monday and can be excused for finishing only seventh.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.