The last Friday meeting of 2023 features an interesting eight-race card at Gloucester Park.
Two races, in particular, – the $31,000 FFA (2130m) and the $30,000 Coulson Pace (2130m) – are shaping as intriguing affairs.
And another race, the quest for the WA Trotting Media Guild’s leading tipster award, has come down to the last metropolitan meeting of the year with Ken Casellas holding a slender lead over Ernie Manning and Matt Young.
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator at The West Australian, believes punters can line their pockets early doors by supporting Halle Hunter in the opening event.
“Halle Hunter hasn’t beaten a lot yet, but the way she has accounted for her rivals at her first two starts suggests she might be above average,” Havercroft said. “On both occasions she has made a mid-race move to find the top but she could find herself there earlier this week from a more favourable draw.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is keen on Paul Edward in race two.
“Paul Edward finished a well-beaten seventh behind Steno in the Golden Nugget Consolation a fortnight ago,” Currall said. “But prior to that he was an impressive winner at headquarters. He drops in class on Friday night and has drawn to get a good run in transit. Can bounce back here.”
Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, and TABradio’s Young have made Machs Legacy their best for the night.
“Former Sydney mare Machs Legacy gets the chance to score her first WA win and break a 19-start losing run after drawing gate one,” Manning said. “The Jocelyn Young-trained five-year-old should improve considerably on a third at Pinjarra last week when having her first race in almost five months. She proved her class in two Menangle wins and also scored five other NSW victories ahead of arriving in Perth early this year. The pacer looks ready for a win at her fourth WA start.”
And Young agrees.
“Machs Legacy has the perfect draw, she is second-up, should lead and I think she will win this,” Young said. “Her best form is superior and I think it will be won at the start. Keen.”
Veteran tipster Casellas is buoyant about the prospects of Watching Our Coin in the stand.
“Watching Our Coin is a seasoned standing-start performer, and I’m making him my best bet this week to win first-up and from the back mark of 20 metres,” Casellas said. “He drops in class and I’m sure he will make life tough for the opposition.”
However, that’s not how longshot guru Pat Harding sees the race unfolding.
“A pretty quiet night for the final Friday night meeting of the year at GP,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race seven with No. 8 Carana. Up until last week had been very consistent and I think he will bounce back.”
VALUE BETS
RYAN: Bettor Move Along is a last-start city winner and driver Trent Wheeler has been in sparkling form in recent weeks. Represents an each-way chance.
WAYNE: The consistent Cordero always seems to go out at each-way odds and that seems to be the case on Friday night. Can run a race at big odds.
ERNIE: Six-year-old Illawong Mustang will be driven for the first time by Gary Hall Jnr and comes into calculations despite having won only one of his past 43 races. A winner of three events from 61 Gloucester Park starts, he has been unplaced at his latest 10 appearances. But the gelding drew attention when finishing fifth after he was blocked for a run last Friday night.
MATT: Taking The Miki is flying and even from a tricky draw she will run a big race. Could be each-way odds and will give you a run for your money.
KEN: Mighthavtime excels as a sit-sprinter and I’m confident that she will be storming home and fighting out the finish of the Coulson Pace.
PAT: My double comes up in race four with No. 7 Lavra Joe. I thought he was unlucky last week but is good enough to win this race.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
FOOTNOTE: On behalf of the members of the WA Trotting Media Guild, I would like to wish readers a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.