Smaller fields are a feature of Friday night’s card at Gloucester Park.
However, after last week’s thrilling edition of the Fremantle Cup, members of the WA Trotting Media Guild will appreciate an opportunity to “take five” before next week’s WA Pacing Cup.
TABradio’s Hayden King believes punters can start the night off on a winning note by supporting polemarker Machs Gold in the opening event.
“Machs Gold will excel as a frontrunner on Friday and be every chance to lead throughout,” King said. “In an even race, barrier one is as good as gold.”
However, veteran journalist Ken Casellas begs to differ with his younger colleague.
“Former South Australian pacer Regal Scribe failed to flatter last Friday week when he enjoyed an ideal passage, one-out and two-back, before just plugging on to finish fourth behind Angel In White,” Casellas said. “But I’m prepared to overlook that effort and am making the six-year-old my best bet in race one on Friday night.
I am basing my confidence on his stout-hearted performance three Fridays ago when he raced without cover, took a narrow lead 60m from the post and finished a neck second to Arma Einstein. From the inside of the back line this week, Regal Scribe should enjoy a good trip and I’m sure Emily Suvaljko will be bringing him home with a spirited burst.”
Media Guild president Wayne Currall has made Star Of Willoughby his best bet for the night.
“Star Of Willoughby’s form has been consistent in better fields than he meets in race two at headquarters,” Currall said. “He will relish the draw in gate two and Emily Suvaljko should have him poised to strike at the business end of proceedings.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is keen on the chances of Tyler Brett in the third.
“Barrier one will be a big bonus to Tyler Brett, who has run Gloucester Park minor placings at his past four starts and is due for a return to the winners’ list,” Manning said. “The Chloe Brown-trained veteran faced awkward barriers in most of his recent starts and generally settled back on the pegs. Plenty of ability is possessed by Tyler Brett, who in November notched his ninth victory at headquarters.”
But longshot guru Pat Harding envisages a different outcome.
“Looks like another tough night at GP, even though there are quite a number of small fields,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race three with No. 4 Gambit. He’s done well in his last four races and I think he can bob up again here,”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has opted for Wonderful To Fly as his star bet.
“Wonderful To Fly’s first-up effort showed that she has returned in good shape for her three-year-old season,” Havercroft said. “She worked three wide for the last lap before going down in a tight finish and she comes up with a better draw here. The Shane Young-trained filly looks like she can build on an impressive record of nine wins from 17 starts.”
VALUE BETS
HAYDEN: Value appears hard to find at GP, so I’m going to Albany. Kamendable Galaxy can lead the last and take catching.
KEN: For value, I suggest Purest Silk in race seven. She produced a whirlwind finishing burst when a half-head second to Miss Eerie two weeks ago. She has wonderful potential and will pay to follow.
WAYNE: Line The Starzzz is no world-beater, but she is safe away from the stands and that’s a big plus in these races. The mare looks each-way value.
ERNIE: Fillies and mares company will suit Purest Silk, who should be close to peak fitness at her third start after a long break from racing. She impressed when second by a half-head at Gloucester Park a fortnight ago. The seven-year-old has won 11 races.
PAT: My double comes up in race seven with No. 2 Sahara Storm. She already has two wins from her last five starts and with a good barrier and a small field I think she can win and win well.
RYAN: I think Goodtime Pe Rabbit in the Trotters Cup will be worth a small play to find out if he can go with the State’s better squaregaiters. He’s dominated the lower grades in recent times.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.