Being a tipster is a thankless job … most of the time.
But when you get it right – as long-serving WA Trotting Media Guild member Ken Casellas did last week when he tipped the card at Gloucester Park – it can be very rewarding.
Congratulations Ken!
Ten winners from 10 races is some sort of achievement, and should be celebrated.
As we all know, Ken is big on statistics … whether that be in racing, football or cricket.
Well here’s a stat for you Mr Casellas. A $10 all-up on your tips last Friday night would have returned a healthy dividend of $14,631.
And so we turn our attention to the meeting at headquarters on Friday night, which is highlighted by the running of the $50,000 Navy Cup (2130m).
The Group 2 event has brought together a classy field of free-for-all pacers, featuring WA’s best pacer in Magnificent Storm taking on the might of leading trainer Gary Hall’s four-pronged attack.
It promises to be a great race, despite the majority of Guild members looking elsewhere in search of their star bets for the evening.
The one exception is TABradio’s Hayden King, who believes Diego can post an all-the-way victory in the cup.
“Diego and Maddison Brown have forged a formidable combination, emphasised by a brutal frontrunning display recently,” King said. “They get that chance on Friday and will take tremendous catching.”
Casellas, who is far from confident of following up on last week’s stellar effort, has made Mister Fortunia his best bet.
“ Mister Fortunia is tough and is a strong stayer, and he’s my best bet this week to lead all the way in the 2536m eighth event at Gloucester Park on Friday night,” Casellas said.
Perennial winner of the longest-priced winner competition Pat Harding and Guild president Wayne Currall are keen on Finvarra.
“This Friday night is shaping up as a good night for favourites, but there could be the odd upset or two,” Harding said.
“My best bet comes up in race two with No. 5 Finvarra. This Gary Hall Sr-trained horse has been a model of consistency and should continue on his winning ways.”
And Currall agrees.
“Finvarra is racing in great heart since his return to the track,” Currall said. “Champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr, fresh from his record-breaking seven winners last Friday night, can add another one to the list here in a tricky little race.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has labelled Been Scootin in race three as his best for the night.
“Been Scootin loves to roll along and I’m expecting him to get every opportunity to lead and win on Friday night,” Young said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for the big fella.”
However, that’s not how The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft sees the race unfolding.
“Hoppys Way possesses blistering gate speed and so I expect him to roll to the top and take beating in the 3YO race,” Havercroft said. “Shannon Suvaljko should be able to clear Been Scootin, one of his main rivals. Swingband represents the class in the race, but his last couple have been below his best.”
The West Australian and Sunday Times’ pacing expert Ernie Manning is a fan of Robbie Rocket in race six.
“Talented four-year-old Robbie Rocket has the fitness to score a first-up victory, judging by his Byford trial win last Sunday,” Manning said. “The gelding, who has not raced since a Gloucester Park win last July, has shown a lot of potential since early stages of his career and he ran third in the 2020 Golden Slipper. Four of his wins have been at headquarters.”
VALUE BETS
HAYDEN: Lady Zegna rises notably in class but she can run the times. Do not discount her easily from winning calculations.
KEN: For value, I suggest Theo Aviator in the first event. The six-year-old was most impressive last week when, at his first appearance for 26 months he sprinted home fast to be a nose second to The Mustang. He is poised to fight out the finish again this week.
PAT: My double comes up in the main event, the Navy Cup. I think Lavra Joe from barrier four can make it three wins from six starts,
WAYNE: The classy Stamford has drawn the river in the first but he’s too good to dismiss. His horror draw just means we’ll get a better price.
MATT: Mister Ardee is drawn to get a soft run over the longer trip and I can see him flashing home at odds with some racing luck.
RYAN: Our Shelley Beach has had excuses for his poor recent numerical form but his form prior to that was sound and he’ll be at a generous each-way quote.
ERNIE: Master Publisher has won only one of his past 10 races and he finished 11th on October 14. But the Gary Hall-trained gelding fought on tenaciously to run second last Friday night. To be driven by Stuart McDonald, the five-year-old is capable of recording his 10th victory.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.