Strap in punters and get ready for an action-packed 11-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night, highlighted by the running of the $30,000 Lewis Pace (2130m).
The feature race is for the girls and the Gary Hall Sr-trained Acharne Girl looks the logical favourite, despite drawing the inside of the back row.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have done their homework on the meeting and have come up with their best bets at headquarters.
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas believes punters can add to their bank early doors by jumping on Rock On Top in the second event.
“Aiden De Campo’s stable is firing in grand style, and he is driving with tremendous skill and aggression,” Casellas said. “And I’m making his talented four-year-old Rock On Top my best bet this week when he is favourably drawn at barrier three in race two. He put the writing on the wall last Friday week when he raced wide early and then enjoyed the one-out, one-back trail before finishing determinedly to be a half-head second to top-flight mare Acharne Girl.”
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator at The West Australian, and Guild president Wayne Currall are keen on the chances of Mr Fantastic in race three.
“Mr Fantastic finished up his last campaign contesting multiple Group 2 and 3 races and finds an easier race for his return to racing after a nine-month spell,” Havercroft said. “Won a Pinjarra trial a fortnight ago on a rain-affected track and has won at seven of 15 starts since arriving from New Zealand.”
Currall agrees with Havercroft.
“I think Mr Fantastic strikes a winnable race first-up,” Currall said. “He’s been off the scene for some time but he’s only run over this distance resulted in an easy all-the-way victory in 1:58.1. Champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr has a high opinion of the horse and he should return a winner.”
Veteran tipster Pat Harding, who currently has the longest-priced winner when James Butt saluted at 25/1 back in May, has settled on Mighty Conqueror as his best bet.
“With another 11 races at GP this Friday night, punters might have some trouble trying to find good-priced winners,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race four with No. 1 Mighty Conqueror. With only a small field engaged, I expect the Greg and Skye Bond-trained horse to lead from start to finish.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has held fire until race 10 for his star bet.
“Dekla Diva bumps into a moderate line-up and has the perfect draw,” Young said. “I think she can lead and win this and could be decent value here.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, has also left his charge late by making The Code Breaker in race 11 his best for the evening.
“The Code Breaker, a winner of seven Gloucester Park races, looks hard to beat with his barrier one advantage,” Manning said. “He has impressed when placed on the past two Friday nights and continues to be one of Perth’s most consistent pacers. His last 17 starts have resulted in four wins and nine places.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Dekla Diva, who looks the leader from barrier one in the 10th event, and should take plenty of catching. She finished strongly when third behind Chilli Punter on Tuesday night.
RYAN: Hoppys Way has his first start for Kevin Keys and he can fly the gate. Regular driver Shannon Suvaljko sticks and he was placed in the WA Derby before pulling up sore at his only run last preparation.
WAYNE: I’m attacking the meeting with another all-up venture. Mr Fantastic, Mighty Conqueror, Acharne Girl, Cowboys N Bandits and finishing with Himself. Five horses to win could produce a handy dividend. Go you good things.
PAT: My double comes up in race six with No. 6 Run For Mercy. She has been about the place in a number of races and gets her chance to record a good win.
MATT: Hot Rockefellar has the draw and has the speed to lead and run a good race. Should put in a bold performance in this at odds.
ERNIE: Hillview Bondi has been freshened in four weeks since his last race and is capable of surprising. The Ryan Bell-trained gelding, eased after three unplaced runs, showed his ability when winning at Gloucester Park last month. He is better than suggested by his tally of only two wins from 24 appearances at headquarters.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.