The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and the WA Trotting Media Guild president Wayne Currall are thinking along the same lines as far as best bets go at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Both have made the resuming Lord Rosco their star bet on the stellar 10-event card.
“Lord Rosco is racing first-up, but his gate one draw is a bonus and he could show form that enabled him to win a series of races last year,” Manning said. “In six months, he won at 11 of 13 starts for trainer Stephen Reed. The gelding, spelled soon after two Gloucester Park seconds last April, looks capable of feature event wins.”
And Currall agrees.
“Lord Rosco resumes from a three-month break and has drawn the ace,” Currall said. “The horse possesses any amount of pace from the machine and Dylan Egerton-Green should be able to amble to the top and dictate terms. Surprisingly, Lord Rosco has never drawn the pole at GP in his career, so he should be able to make the most of his good fortune and salute for owners Albert and Julie Walmsley.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is keen on Triroyale Brigade in race three.
“Triroyale Brigade has been racing well and gets the draw,” Young said. “He has the gate speed to lead and from there he can win.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding believes it could be a night for favourites.
“Looks like a good night for short-priced favourites at GP this Friday,” Harding said. “Looking for a bit of value with my best bet, which comes up in race two with No. 3 Queen Shenandoah. She has been running well with several places and is overdue for a win. There’s not a great deal of form in this race and I think she can prevail with Chris Voak aboard.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas has made the consistent See Ya Write his best for the night.
“See Ya Write has struck top form with a vengeance and I’m making him my best bet to bring up a winning hat-trick by proving the master of his 11 rivals in the third event at Gloucester Park on Friday night,” Casellas said. “The four-year-old is favourably drawn at barrier three and he should either lead or enjoy a prominent position.”
TABradio’s Hayden King and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft are at odds in the Blake Ashworth Memorial Marathon Handicap (3309m).
King has opted for Alta Blues as his best bet.
“Alta Blues is a stout stayer, so I expect that the 3309m will hold no concerns for him,” King said. “Additionally, being a Gary Hall Snr-trained horse, his toughness must be incontrovertible. He has the handicap advantage over Magnificent Storm and I expect that Hall Jnr will seize an early initiative and be too good.”
Not so, according to Havercroft, who believes Magnificent Storm will continue on his winning ways.
“Magnificent Storm resumed and looked to have plenty in reserve when defeating Miracle Moose first-up a fortnight ago,” Havercroft said. “The only question is how the son of American Ideal handles the standing-start conditions, for which he qualified at Byford trials last month.
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: Diamond Dove has not been placed in her past 10 starts, but should be solidly conditioned after six races this time in. There was merit in her effort to finish fifth of 10 at Gloucester Park last start.
WAYNE: Henwood Bay did it tough taking the three-wide train up then sitting in the death when finishing eighth behind Vespa last week. He’ll love the longer trip and can win at each-way odds.
MATT: Never Forget Adda won under a hold at Narrogin on debut, rises in grade but she can go on with it here.
PAT: My double comes up in race nine with No. 1 Arma Einstein. A very consistent horse and I believe Colin Brown can bring him home in fine style.
KEN: For value, I suggest Awaitinginstructions in the San Simeon Classic. He has led in stands and finished a gallant second twice to the brilliant Minstrel at his past two starts. Though unlikely to lead from the No. 3 barrier, he should make his presence felt.
HAYDEN: Never Forget Adda showed a turn of foot on the home bend at Narrogin to quicken up smartly and succeed. She has progressed notably this campaign and with the barrier draw advantage she will be tough to toss.
RYAN: The Kraken put in by far his best effort last week since joining the Phil Costello stable. Will be at long odds again but he has ability.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.