It’s an exciting time for owners at Gloucester Park on Friday night with the running of the APG Sales Classic Finals (1730m) for the two-year-olds.
The two Listed features are worth $100,000 each – the first involves the clash of the colts and geldings, followed by the fillies final.
Many new owners in the sport will be on course to cheer home their charges.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have done their homework for the mammoth 11-event card and have settled on their best bets for the program.
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas is keen on Greatgreat Boulder, at a price, as his best for the night.
“Potential is a vital ingredient in sport, but to translate this ability into quality performance requires nurturing and considerable application,” Casellas said. “Greatgreat Boulder has wonderful potential, but has yet to harness this attribute to enable him to dominate on the track. However, his exciting ability and his spectacular gate speed have demanded my decision to name him as my best bet on Friday night when he starts from the outside barrier in the $100,000 Sales Classic for two-year-old colts and geldings.”
Veteran tipster and multiple winner of the longest-priced winner competition, Pat Harding has forgiven James Butt for his last-start failure.
“Both punters and tipsters alike are certainly having trouble finding winners at GP,” Harding said. “Another tough night coming up I suspect. My best bet comes up in race three with No. 2 James Butt. He’s come close in a few races but over the 2536 metres I think Chris Voak can guide him to victory.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes the Nathan Turney-trained Benji can make amends for his second on Monday behind stablemate Mea Culpa.
“Benji ran an encouraging second at his first start in almost three months at Pinjarra,” Currall said. “He would have derived plenty of benefit from that effort where they sprinted home the last 800m in a slick 55.5. Has drawn the pole and has the services of champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr. Ticks a lot of boxes.”
However, that’s not how Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, sees the race panning out.
“Classy four-year-old The Miki Taker impressed with a Pinjarra win on February 13 at his first start for more than five months and he is expected to be even fitter when returning to headquarters,” Manning said. “The gelding has a career tally of nine wins and eight places, from 21 starts.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has waited until the last race on the program to show his hand.
“Middlepage has found his race,” Young said. “This horse has been racing well against better recently. Think the gelding can do the work and get the win in the closing event on the card.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest bonny mare Simply Shaz from the inside of the back line in the 1730m opening event. Her recent efforts from wide barriers have been most encouraging. She was 11th at the bell before charging home, out five wide, to finish fifth behind Alcopony in the Warwick Pace last Friday night.
PAT: My double comes up in Race 10 with No.1 Steel The Show from the Bond stable. I think he can make it three wins in a row. A very talented horse.
WAYNE: Last-start winner Naval Aviator is drawn to get a cushy run behind likely leader Mea Culpa in race two. Could surprise at odds.
ERNIE: Perfect Major has not won in his past 19 starts and last recorded a victory in 2021. But he looked on the way back to form when a runner-up, after being blocked, in January. He again drew attention when running on to finish third last Friday night.
MATT: Simply Shaz has a good draw and should be an each-way price. The mare just needs some luck and she can get the job done.
Click Here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting on a huge night of harness racing at headquarters.