The moment of truth has finally arrived.
Twelve of the best pacers in the west will do battle over the testing 2936m journey in WA’s premier event – the $450,000 Group 1 WA Pacing Cup.
And what a race it promises to be.
It’s one of the most open WA Pacing Cups in recent memory with several realistic winning chances.
Fortune favours the brave and one member of the WA Trotting Media Guild is certainly that.
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas has made Minstrel, in the cup, his best for the evening.
“Minstrel has a losing sequence of nine, but his preparation for the WA Pacing Cup has been timed to perfection, and I’m making him my best bet on Friday night when, from barrier No. 2, he is sure to be in the firing line throughout,” Casellas said. “He is tough and is a grand stayer who put up a splendid performance when a close second to Mighty Ronaldo in the Fremantle Cup a fortnight ago. He began from the back line, started a three-wide burst after 400m and worked hard in the breeze outside Diego before taking a narrow lead 220m from home and being overhauled in the final couple of strides.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can add to their bank early doors by supporting Our Shelley Beach in the first race.
“The Mike Reed-trained Our Shelley Beach ran a close second behind Baltic Ace over the sprint trip at headquarters last week,” Currall said. “Each quarter of that race was run under 30 seconds, which left leader Our Shelley Beach vulnerable at the finish. If Shannon Suvaljko can give him an easier time, either leading or sitting off the pace, then he appeals as the one to beat.”
Colleagues at The West Australian – pacing expert Ernie Manning and racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft – have settled on the consistent Valentines Brook as their star bet.
“Six-year-old Valentines Brook is in peak form and looks set for a winning hat-trick after bouncing back from a series of unlucky performances,” Manning said. “The Jocelyn Young-trained gelding recorded eight seconds in a sequence of 15 losing runs leading up to his successes this month. He overcome tough assignments to win, after facing the breeze on January 10 and racing three-wide last Friday night.’
And Havercroft agrees with Manning’s reading of the race.
“Valentines Brook has been a model of consistency this campaign, running into the first two placings at all six starts and he did it easily last Friday, leading up the three-wide line at the bell before putting his rivals away with a 56.7 last half-mile,” Havercroft said. “Will start a worthy favourite and be hard to beat again.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has opted for Vampiro as his best bet.
“Vampiro was outstanding from the breeze last run and I believe he will be launching to the top and making every post a winner,” Young said.
Veteran tipster Pat Harding is keen on James Butt.
“Looks like another tough night looming at GP and unfortunately a number of small fields,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race seven with No.1 James Butt. I thought he was unlucky at his last start but should make up for that with a good win here.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest veteran Regal Cheval in the final event. He is an excellent frontrunner, who caught the eye at Pinjarra on Monday when he started from 30m in a 2116m stand and was last at the bell before finishing determinedly with an inside run to be fourth behind Troopingofthecolor.
WAYNE: Three Rumours has been in great form of late and should get an easy run from inside the back line. Looks a terrific each-way play.
ERNIE: Only one win was notched by Unconditional from her past 13 starts, but she has shown considerable ability in seven Gloucester Park wins. The mare, who was recently racing in strong company for co-trainers Greg and Skye Bond, should not be underrated
RYAN: Paroquet gets her chance to return to form from a kinder draw here. Caught the eye last week when running on from well back in the field.
MATT: Patronus Star is a dead-set sniper and has the perfect draw. With an ounce of luck in the last lap I believe he is a massive winning chance.
PAT: My double comes up in the the main event, the WA Pacing Cup race five with No.7 Himself. This Bond-trained horse has excellent credentials and I think he can record a good win.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting on a night where on-course punters will see the best horses in WA do battle and also celebrate Chinese New Year with fireworks after the last.