30 November 2017 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are divided on best bets for Friday night’s action-packed card at Gloucester Park.
The third and last round of the Inter Dominion heats will decide the 10 finalists for next week’s $1.1M grand final, while the $30,000 Parliamentarians Cup has attracted the best mares in Australasia and the $50,000 Westral 4YO Championship is shaping up to be a classic.
Only two Guild members – TABradio’s Matt Young and yours truly – agreed on a special for the night.
“Eden Franco should be leading and winning in the International Invitational Drivers series,” Young said. “Trainer Colin Brown has lobbed legend Chris Lewis to drive his mare and that fills me with more confidence come Friday.”
Leading tipster Stuart Lowe fancies the Victorian raider Motu Meteor in the 4YO Championship. “My best bet is Motu Meteor,” he said. “The speedy Victorian was never likely when sixth last week behind Ultimate Machete in fast time. Better drawn here and comes in with strong claims.”
Longshot maestro Pat Harding is keen on star Victorian mare Ameretto. “Last week’s win by Ameretto was excellent and Kerryn Manning has the horse flying on all fours,” he said. “Barrier seven should not be a problem for this very talented visitor.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes Soho Tribeca will continue on his winning ways. “Soho Tribeca looks set to remain the only unbeaten horse in the series despite having drawn wide,” he said. “He is improving in leaps and bounds, and has a racing style which is difficult to counter. Soho Tribeca has gone forward, then run his last 800m in 54.5sec. and 54.6sec in the first two rounds of heats. Rivals find it virtually impossible run him down.”
Gloucester Park TV’s Ken Casellas is a fan of Fernleigh Rebel. “Seven-year-old Fernleigh Rebel has managed one win from his past 42 starts, but he makes strong appeal as a best bet proposition when he contests the third heat of the Binshaw Pace,” he said. “Trained by Clint Hall, Fernleigh Rebel will be driven by star reinsman Chris Lewis and is favourably drawn in four. He possesses splendid gate speed and has good prospects of getting to an early lead.”
Veteran tipster Bill Brindley has selected New Zealand superstar Lazarus to break his duck on WA soil. “My best bet is Lazarus,” he said. “I think he’ll get up outside the leader and outstay his opposition in the run home.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is in the Chicago Bull camp. “Chicago Bull has drawn to lead and win in the first of the Inter Dominion heats,” he said. “He enjoyed an economical run along the fence on Tuesday at Bunbury and should have plenty in reserve for this assignment.”
Sunday Times columnist Robbie Dewar has singled out former Kiwi mare Reaza Grunter in the opening event as his best for the night. “Reaza Grunter was sent back to trials after breaking when fancied last week,” he said. “She has since won a trial at Byford in fast time and if she stays in her gear then she will prove mighty hard to roll.”
VALUE BETS
Matt: Kerrin Joseph is drawn to get a good run. Performances have been solid and in a lot stronger company, should settle handy and will be dangerous late.
Wayne: On a night where, short prices will be everywhere, I think Kyle Harper’s speed machine Thereugo could get out to each-way odds from his back-line draw.
Stuart: My value bet is Kerrin Joseph who gets his best draw for some time and should give punters a good sight here.
Pat: He won’t be much value, but Chicago Bull has drawn the pole and should prove too strong for the rest of the field. Could make a nice banker.
Ernie: Tisadream is a multiple feature events victor who can return to the winners’ list with a little luck in running. His trainer Andrew De Campo’s team is in-form.
Ken: Space Junk is undefeated at three starts in WA and will be making his debut at GP after impressive victories at Pinjarra, Narrogin and Northam.
Bill: For some value I suggest Bettor Be Lively. His form is better than it looks on paper and he can run a race at odds.
Ryan: Major Crocker finished his heat off nicely at Bunbury on Tuesday night and represents good each-way value. With two fourths from his two heats, he would need to figure in this to make the rich final.
Robbie: Zach Maguire is drawn awkwardly in the last, but there’s plenty of speed drawn inside of him. He could prove a nice way to go home.
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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