by Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have labelled Ima Rocknroll Legend and Quite A Delight as stand-out bets for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
Leading tipster Stuart Lowe and The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believe classy mare Quite A Delight can reign supreme in the second race.
Lowe said Quite A Delight appears to be down in class.
“She is a classy type who has had two runs back from a spell for a win and a close second, both from wide draws,” he said.
Manning agrees with Lowe.
“Quite A Delight is ideally suited in mares’ company and appears to be regaining form shown early in her career,” he said. “Nine wins and four places, including a WA Oaks second, resulted from her first 15 starts.”
Lowe has opted for Billy Mack as his best value for the night.
“Billy Mack is going better than his numerical form indicates,” he said. “Has been unplaced from wide draws at his last four runs but is much better drawn here and should be suited.”
Manning likes Overboard Again as his best value.
“Overboard Again has been freshened since he was unplaced after enduring a tough run on June 30,” he said. “The New Zealand import is noted for showing his best when beginning a campaign. He won five races in his first 10 WA starts and scored three victories from the first five appearances in his current preparation.”
On course announcer Ken Casellas, Guild president Wayne Currall, longshot king Pat Harding and veteran tipster Bill Brindley are all keen on Ima Rocknroll Legend.
Casellas summed up the thoughts of his colleagues by declaring the horse ready to show vast improvement on Friday night.
“Ima Rocknroll Legend has been restrained at the start after drawing out wide at several recent outings and has been forced to come from well back in the field,” Casellas said.
“However, the New Zealand-bred four-year-old makes excellent appeal as a star bet because he is perfectly drawn in the No.1 barrier on the front line and Gary Hall Jr will be looking for an all-the-way victory.”
Casellas has opted for Kellieann Marie as his best value.
“Kellieann Marie caught the eye last Friday week when she settled in 10th position and moved to fifth (three wide) at the bell before finishing gamely to be a close third behind Blackjack Anna and Cullen Class,” he said.
Currall likes Machrie as his best outsider for the night.
“This bloke showed a bit of promise last preparation and punters shouldn’t read too much into his last-start sixth behind Thereugo,” he said. “That was Machrie’s first run after a three-month break and he never really got a crack at them. He’s drawn the pole on Friday night and could prove hard to catch.”
Harding thinks punters can get off to a good start by supporting Muffins in the first event.
“This Michael Brennan-trained horse will have Michael Grantham aboard and has had a couple of reasonable runs in her short career,” he said. “However the pole is a great advantage and I expect her to run well.”
Brindley is leaning towards Eliseos Falcon as his best value.
“My value bet is Eliseos Falcon in the eighth where new trainer Donald Harper is likely to attempt to lead throughout,” he said.
Sunday Times columnist Robbie Dewar has labelled Our Magic Miracle as his best bet.
“Our Magic Miracle hasn’t been seen under race conditions since scoring an easy win at Pinjarra last December,” he said. “But he won a trial at Byford on Sunday beating the promising Shandale in 1:58.9 for the 2150m trip on a rain-affected track. Sure to go well first-up.”
Dewar also fancies Orphan Reactor in the first for some value.
“Though she hasn’t won in 15 career starts, she has been placed on eight occasions,” he said. “Should be able to settle in a favourable position from her back-line draw and play a major part in the finish.”
TABradio’s race caller Matt McDermott is keen on Khun Ratha as his best for the night.
“Khun Ratha is yet to win over the longer trip, however has been a consistent placegetter with eight placings in 11 starts at the 2536m,” he said. “His current form is good and should be fighting out the finish here.”
McDermott, like Casellas, is a fan of Kellieann Marie in the last.
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has been impressed with Thereugo’s form and has made him his best bet.
“Thereugo has been almost unstoppable of late and he is drawn to use his blistering early gate speed when contesting a heat of The Schrader series on Friday night,” he said. “Successful at five of his last six starts, all at this venue and distance, the
son of McArdle looks well up to taking on higher-assessed pacers for this assignment.”
Havercroft has thrown out Vital Energy as his value tip.
“Vital Energy could be a value prospect in the Slater Gartrell Sports Pace,” he said. “The Live Or Die gelding has been mixing his efforts lately but did run consecutive placings late last month. This does represent a rise in class and there are some handy types engaged here but he may surprise at odds.”
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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