Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have identified Born To Boogie and Lawrence as star bets for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
TABradio’s Matt Young and award-winning journalist Ken Casellas believe former Kiwi pacer Born To Boogie can make it two from two in Australia when she goes around in race seven.
“Born To Boogie was impressive at Pinjarra and comes up with the prized cherry here,” Young said. “She looks very hard to beat.”
And Casellas agrees.
“Born To Boogie made a wonderful Australian debut with an impressive fast-finishing victory at Pinjarra on Monday of last week, and I’m making her my best bet to mark her first appearance at Gloucester Park by proving too speedy for her rivals on Friday night,” Casellas said. “She is sure to appreciate starting from the prized No. 1 barrier, which should prove a vital factor in her clash with Nathan Turvey’s outstanding mares Savvy Bromac and Heavens Showgirl, who have drawn out wide.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and Guild president Wayne Currall have earmarked Lawrence as their best for the night.
“It is hard to go past Lawrence who starts from barrier one this week,” Havercroft said. “His efforts early in this preparation were outstanding and he gets his chance to return to winning form this Friday after wilting from the breeze a week ago.”
Currall is in agreement.
“It’s not an overly-quick front line and I expect leading reinsman Ryan Warwick will attempt to lead all the way on Lawrence,” Currall said. “This bloke’s proven over the longer journey and punters can put a line through his last start when he breezed. Looks the best of good things and a banker for all-ups.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes punters can get off to a flyer early doors with Alta Blues in the opening event.
“Alta Blues drew gate one and gets the chance to show talent that enabled him to win five races in a sequence of six starts from July to December last year,” Manning said. “The Gary Hall-trained gelding was caught facing the breeze when racing first-up on May 14 and his sixth can be overlooked. He shaped to have a bright future when winning at his debut last June and three of his victories have been at Gloucester Park.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is keen on Miss Boudica.
“This Friday looks like a battle between the Bond and the Hall stables, with a few short-priced favourites on offer,” Harding said. “My best bet of the night comes up in race six with the Michael Brennan-trained Miss Boudica from barrier three. I think she is ideally placed and has been most consistent in recent starts with two wins and three thirds. I think she will have an edge over her rivals in the 1730 metre sprint.”
VALUE BETS
MATT: Chance Eclipse has been luckless as of late and in a race not shy of some interest, he’s worth a throw at the stumps at cricket-score odds.
KEN: For value, I suggest Artistic Scribe in the Diamond Classic. She has won at three of her five starts and is versatile and should be in a commanding position throughout.
RYAN: Dontbesillychilli ran third in a very handy debut effort to make the Diamond Classic Final. Should be improved and drawn to get a good run.
WAYNE: Bee Seventeen looks a great place chance from his favourable draw behind likely leader Lawrence. Don’t think he can beat the favourite, but can put some value into the exotics.
ERNIE: Im Beta Than Gouda has not won his in his past 32 races, but is another pacer who should take advantage of the pole draw from a mobile start. Punters can excuse his unplaced runs off 40m and 30m handicaps in stands at his past two starts. Each of his eight wins have been in mobile events.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race two with Thereugo from barrier three. This horse has been knocking on the door for some time and is due for a win.
Click here to view all of this weeks media guild tips.
Good punting.
by Wayne Currall