It’s time for the girls to take centre stage at Gloucester Park on Friday.
The Group 1 Westral Mares Classic (2536m) headlines what promises to be a hot night of pacing, both on and off the track at the ribbon of light.
The $100,000 feature has attracted the State’s best mares, with the classy Wonderful To Fly certain to be sent out as an odds-on favourite.
But trainers, drivers and owners of the other 11 runners would have gained some confidence in the fact that Wonderful To Fly has been relegated to second at three of her last five runs at headquarters.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have sidestepped the night’s feature when assessing their best bets for the program.
TABradio’s Matt Young believes punters can build on their banks early doors by supporting Me Flash in race two.
“Me Flash was an outstanding effort when doing all the work last time out,” Young said. “He is a bold frontrunner and has the good draw to lead and give them something to chase.”
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator at The West Australian, and Guild president Wayne Currall have made Mr Fantastic their star bet.
“Mr Fantastic’s last couple of runs suggest he may be getting back to his best form, placing twice at headquarters in the last fortnight,” Havercroft said. “This time he draws the inside peg, as he did when last victorious here in September and this looks to be the race where he can bounce back to the winners’ list.”
And Currall agrees with his colleague’s thoughts on the race.
“Mr Fanastic loves the pegs and he gets that scenario on Friday night,” Currall said. “Driver Emily Suvaljko should be able to fire him out from his rails draw and then dictate terms to the rest of the field.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is keen on Jett Star.
“Could be a good night for Greg and Skye Bond,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race four with the Bond-trained Jett Star in barrier two. He’s not had much luck in recent races but this is an opportunity to bounce back.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, has echoed Harding’s prediction by making another Bond runner his best for the evening.
“Class colt Lusaka, a winner in 11 of his 17 races, looks too smart for older rivals after facing the breeze and scoring an impressive last-start victory at Gloucester Park a fortnight ago,” Manning said.
“The Greg and Skye Bond-trained three-year-old arrived in Perth last year after winning at Christchurch and was successful in his first WA appearance. He later recorded wins at six consecutive starts, last April and May. Returning in September from a spell, he has recorded three wins and two seconds from six starts in his current campaign. He was held up for a run when unplaced in the WA Derby three weeks ago.”
VALUE BETS
MATT: Rocknroll Elliot is going well and this is a strong race with decent tempo. If he gets some luck he is a big player to run into the money at good odds.
RYAN: Whatabro can improve on some modest numerical form and fill a placing from a favourable draw over the sprint trip.
WAYNE: Everyone will be on Wonderful To Fly in the feature, but don’t underestimate the explosive turn of foot possessed by Born To Boogie. If there’s any chink in the armour of the favourite then this mare could be the one to expose it.
PAT: My double comes up in race two with No.10 October Reign. He’s been about the place and with Gary Hall Jr aboard could be a good bet.
ERNIE: Trainer-reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green is aiming to bring Mr Chip back to his best after three unplaced runs and connections hope he can qualify for the $200,000 Golden Nugget on December 15. The gelding showed big potential when an Auckland winner at two consecutive starts last year and he won at his second start after a transfer to Perth. Two Gloucester Park victories were among five wins from his first 14 WA starts. He cannot be underrated despite two sevenths and an 11th in his latest appearances.
Click Here to view al of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.