The good horses are starting to make their way back to the races as they start their build-ups to Gloucester Park’s summer carnival.
And Friday night’s meeting at headquarters sees a number of star pacers returning in what promises to be an action-packed 10-event card.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have done their homework and have settled on their best bets for the meeting.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and The West’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believe Alta Cinderella will make it a hat-trick in race seven.
“Four-year-old Alta Cinderella looks poised to notch a sixth win in seven starts after impressive front running displays at her past two appearances,” Manning said. “The Gary Hall-trained mare displayed a lot of potential in a winning hat-trick at Gloucester Park, Northam and Bunbury last August. She was then unplaced after facing the breeze and Hall freshened her with a six-week break from racing. Alta Cinderella illustrated the benefit of her let-up by scoring at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park last month.”
And Havercroft agrees with his colleague.
“Alta Cinderella came to the big dance last Friday to record her first Friday night Gloucester Park success in fast time,” Havercroft said. “She is likely to be first home this week, well before midnight, to make it six wins in her last seven appearances.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas is keen on Diego in race two.
“I am prepared to forgive Diego for his indiscretion when he broke into a gallop soon after the start, dropped back to last and then dashed forward to race in the breeze before fading to 10th behind Bettorstartdreaming last Friday week,” Casellas said. “And I’m naming him as my best bet this week when he is favourably drawn at barrier three in race two on Friday night. He impressed in a 2150m Byford trial on Sunday when he was sixth at the bell before running home strongly to be third behind Machnificent and Otis.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has made Mirragon his best bet for the night.
“Could be some short-priced favourites at GP this Friday,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race six with No. 4 Mirragon. He ran a good third first-up after a spell and I think he is well placed to give the Debra and Chris Lewis combination the edge over this field.”
But TABradio’s Matt Young believes Al Guerrero can return to winning form and defeat Mirragon.
“Al Guerrero was a good effort last start and strips fitter,” Young said. “Back in distance and has the speed to cross, looks very hard to beat.”
TABradio’s Hayden King has saved his best until the last.
“Burning Rubber stuck on stoically last start and now comes up with a favourable draw,” King said. “I expect the ‘revhead’ to lead and be too tough to catch.”
Media Guild president Wayne Currall is confident Youre So Fine can return a winner in the first race on the program.
“Youre So Fine will be in the red, but punters can start the night off with a win by supporting the Gary Hall-trained two-year-old,” Currall said. “This bloke is all class and can justify the faith that the stable has in him. Should work his way to the top and prove too good for his rivals.”
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: Veteran gelding Maestro Belli has not won in his past 17 starts, but he should be able to take advantage of gate one after being unplaced from second-row draws. Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane wins have confirmed the seven-year-old’s ability and he impressed when third at Gloucester Park in his WA debut on September 11.
RYAN: Allwoods Rocknroll is a pegs horse that can run into the placings at each-way odds, if he can sit close enough to the leaders from the inside draw.
KEN: For value, I suggest the Debra Lewis-trained Mirragon in race six. He caught the eye with an excellent first-up effort last Friday night when he finished determinedly from seventh at the bell to be third behind Born To Boogie and Im Soxy.
PAT: My double comes up in race 10 with another Debra Lewis-trained horse in Pierre Whitby coming out of barrier seven. He is certainly overdue for a win and this could be his chance in a field with little form
MATT: Baylan Jett is dropping in grade nicely and happy to be with him each-way fresh.
HAYDEN: I’ll be doing a multi again this week. Youre So Fine in the first, As Happy As Larry in the third, Major Martini in race five and Burning Rubber in the last. I’m hoping all of them can lead throughout.
WAYNE: Maestro Bellini is drawn to run a race in the last after drawing the pole. He is being quoted at 26/1 in early markets and looks an each-way play at that price.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.