Punters are in for a treat at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Race five – the $50,000 Perth Cup (2130m) – will see the return of exciting pacer Magnificent Storm, the winner of 18 of his 19 starts in the west.
The Ray Williams-trained four-year-old gelding has been a revelation since coming to WA from New Zealand, but faces a red-hot field of experienced free-for-allers in the feature event.
It promises to be a great race and a good guide for the upcoming cup races.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have bypassed the feature event when trying to find their best bets for the meeting.
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas and TABradio’s Matt Young have made Rock Me Over their star bet for the night.
“Veteran pacer Rock Me Over thrives on racing and I’m confident he will end a losing sequence of 15 by winning the Simmonds Steel Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night,” Casellas said. “Therefore I’m making him my best bet, particularly as he has a distinct advantage at barrier No. 3 over his main rival Rupert Of Lincoln, who will start out wide at No. 8. Rock Me Over, a hardy campaigner in a 145-start career, did a bit of work early before taking the lead after 700m and then setting the pace and wilting late to finish second to outsider Disco Under Fire over 2536m last Friday week. The 2130m journey this week should suit him better.”
And Young agrees.
“Rock Me Over finds a very suitable race and will push hard for the lead here,” Young said. “If he finds the top, they’ll be chasing him back to the wash down bay.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believes Jumpingjackmac can end his frustrating run of minor placings.
“Jumpingjackmac has been a narrowly beaten second at his last four outings, all after working hard during the run,” Havercroft said. “The son of Mach Three draws inside Finvarra this time which is significant and he can return to winning form on Friday.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is keen on Mirragon in race four.
“Tipping continues to be tough at GP and this week looks like being no different,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race four with No. 7 Mirragon. Not much luck last week but I think he can bounce back and record a good win.”
However, Guild president Wayne Currall sees a different outcome in this race.
“I’m in the corner of Im Soxy,” Currall said. “This is a drop in class to the fields he has been meeting lately and top reinsman Ryan Warwick should be able to have him in a handy position to let down when the whips get cracking.”
TABradio’s Hayden King is a fan of the Mike Reed-trained Five Bangles in the last race.
“Five Bangles draws close enough to use her gate speed to effect and has strong potential,” King said. “I think she will continue to develop into one of our top younger fillies.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes Heez Our Perseus can post an all-the-way victory in race six.
“Talented five-year-old Heez Our Perseus, with a barrier one bonus, looks set for his fourth Gloucester Park win since a transfer to trainer Gary Hall this year,” Manning said. “The gelding, who scored two victories soon after joining Hall’s team, returned from a spell in top order. He set the pace and won when racing third-up on November 26. A creditable second was recorded by Heez Our Perseus last Friday night and he appears capable of graduating to better class.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest 10-year-old A Boy Named Rosie from barrier three in the Etch Coatings Pace. The veteran of 164 starts, A Boy Named Rosie caught the eye when he ran home boldly from ninth at the bell to finish fifth behind Has No Fear last Friday night.
MATT: Infatuation has been racing well and has the perfect draw, just needs some luck in the last lap.
RYAN: Black Jack Zac looks a value play for mine in a race where Arma Indie will start favourite and she has had plenty of chances.
PAT: My double bet comes up in Race 10 with the Bond horse In The Spotlight from barrier six. She has had some good performances and I believe she’s ready to win.
WAYNE: Diego could run a race from his backline draw in the Perth Cup. Connections of polemarker Motu Premier have stated their intentions that they want to hold the lead. Off a hot pace Diego could be finishing hard.
HAYDEN: Mirragon couldn’t get into the race last start – and again may find it tough this week – but his prior win showed his true potential. While only a tentative selection, if they go crazy he could supply a telling blow.
ERNIE: Country veteran Jimmy Recard should not be overlooked when having his first start since joining in-form trainer Nathan Turvey’s stable. The eight-year-old lacks city experience, but he has impressed in wins at Bunbury (six), Wagin (two), Pinjarra and Bridgetown.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.