The time-honoured BOTRA Cup (2503m) takes pride of place at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Sponsored by Garrards Horse & Hound, the $30,000 standing-start feature has attracted a quality 10-horse field with many winning chances.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have steered clear of the night’s feature when assessing their best bets on the nine-race card.
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can add to their banks early doors by supporting polemarker Hoppys Way in the opening event.
“Hoppys Way ran an encouraging race for new trainer Kevin Keys a fortnight ago at headquarters,” Currall said. “He was used off the gate at his first run in almost four months and went within a whisker of crossing. He’s fitter, drawn the pole and should take up the running for Shannon Suvaljko.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is keen on Mea Culpa in race three.
“Mea Culpa has got brilliant gate speed and is very tough and versatile,” Young said. “Back down to the mile I think he will dominate this race.”
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator at The West Australian, has made The Amber Hare his best bet for the night.
“The Amber Hare resumes on Friday night after a last-start win in the Group 3 Lombardo during March,” Havercroft said. “The Jocelyn Young-trained mare has not been sighted in recent trials, but did win first-up when arriving in the State. The small field suits and she looks to have more upside than her rivals here.”
Veteran tipster Pat Harding has settled on Steel The Show as his star bet.
“Only nine events and some small fields gives punters and tipsters some tough challenges at GP,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race five with the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Steel The Show. From barrier one and only a small field, he should put in an excellent performance.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas has waited until later in the program to unleash his best bet.
“Cloud Nine has won in New Zealand, New South Wales and Victoria, and he also raced in Queensland before arriving in Western Australia where he has shown good promise with seconds to Floewriter and Peligroso,” Casellas said. “Now he earns my nod as this week’s best bet when he starts from barrier five in race seven. He caught the eye last Friday night when he was 10th at the bell and sustained a spirited three-wide burst (with cover) to finish second to Peligroso over 1730m.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, has been even more patient and is waiting until the last race for his best.
“Talented two-year-old Franco Encore showed a lot of potential in his convincing first-up win at headquarters last Tuesday week and he looks set for a bright future,” Manning said. “The Ryan Bell-trained youngster led early, took a trail and then coasted to victory. Connections flagged a high opinion of Franco Encore when selecting the $50,000 Champagne Classic as his debut race last April. He finished seventh in the classic, but his career now looks to be on an upwards spiral.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: My all-up finally came in last week. So I’m going to play another one this week – Hoppys Way into Mea Culpa, into Franco Encore. Hey, you won’t get rich but little fish are sweet. Go you good things.
MATT: Onesmartfella is racing well. He has to overcome a tough draw but is capable of overcoming the draw which gives a potential for better odds.
RYAN: Hotfoot It is racing consistently in this class and is drawn favourably in a similar field to the one he beat last Tuesday. Each-way player.
PAT: My double comes up in the main event, the BOTRA Cup. Carabao with Chris Voak aboard has been very consistent and from barrier one I think he can make it two wins in a row.
KEN: For value, I suggest two-year-old Menemsha, who will be racing first-up in the final event. His form last summer in his initial campaign was encouraging, and his recent work has pleased his trainer Aiden De Campo.
ERNIE: New Zealand import Mr Fantastic is capable of bouncing back from unplaced runs at his past four starts. The gelding arrived in WA after four Auckland victories and confirmed his ability when winning five Bunbury races. He then scored two Gloucester Park wins, suggesting he should not be underrated after a first-up fifth two weeks ago.
Click Here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.