14 December 2017 | Wayne Currall
Punters who followed longshot maestro Pat Harding would have been laughing all the way to the bank after last week’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
Harding, who has won the WA Trotting Media Guild’s longest-priced winner competition for the last seven years in a row, tipped Courage Tells who duly saluted at the massive odds of $114.50. Not only did Harding steer punters on to Courage Tells, but he also tipped the main quaddie for the night, which paid $3756.50 for $1.
“I never thought a horse trained by Skye Bond and driven by Ryan Warwick would get out to such a big price,” Harding said. “I think I’ll be hard pressed to top the price that Courage Tells got out to.”
and members of the Media Guild will be hard pressed to stop Harding making it eight wins in a row for the longest-priced winner.
Harding believes punters can get off to a great start with Cott Beach in the first race. “Cott Beach has drawn gate five in a small field and she should be suited,” he said. “I am sure driver Nathan Turvey can notch up another great win with this classy filly.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and TABradio’s Matt Young have earmarked Rock Diamonds as their best.
Manning spoke for both when he said Rock Diamonds had drawn favourably and should appreciate a class drop. “Rock Diamonds figured prominently in legs of the 4YO series,” he said. “He ran third to Ultimate Machete in the 4YO Classic, then won the 4YO Championship. A backline draw set him a tough task in the Golden Nugget, but he is poised to bounce back.”
On-course announcer Ken Casellas, Sunday Times columnist Robbie Dewar and yours truly are keen on Zach Maguire.
Casellas spoke for his colleagues when he said Zach Maguire had resumed from a spell in splendid form. “Zach Maguire has the class to overcome the disadvantage of starting from the outside of the backline,” he said. “The five-year-old, trained by Gary Hall and to be driven by Gary Hall Jr, is my star bet on a highly competitive 10-event program.”
Leading tipster Stuart Lowe has made Madame Meilland his best bet. “Madame Meilland, who has had three wins and three placings from six WA starts, is down in class from her last two city runs and is well drawn,” he said. “She’s the one to beat.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on Mistahmistah. “Mistahmistah showed good early toe when winning his only start to date at Addington in July as a $1.10 favourite,” he said. “He is drawn the pole after the scratching and if he has derived benefit from a spell, then he would give a handy field of three-year-olds something to chase.”
VALUE BETS
Pat: Assassinator has had a few places since changing stables and is overdue for a win. I think with Chris Voak aboard and off 10m he can cash in.
Ernie: Tommy Be Good is capable of overcoming a 30m handicap judging by his Pinjarra win when he scored from The Bucket List and Ohoka Punter, who ran first and second in the Inter Dominion Consolation.
Matt: Shes Artful in the ninth meets a decent field but she has the draw and wasn’t disgraced last Friday in the Group 1. Should be cheeky at odds.
Ken: Ohoka Punter has drawn out at barrier six, but I’m selecting him to outmuscle and beat his stablemate Ideal Alice, who looks set to lead over the 2536m journey.
Robbie: The Trilogy has been in consistent form of late and is poised to get a charmed run from the pole. Looks each-way all day.
Wayne: Costa Del Magnifico should take up a handy position from his good draw and appeals as a good each-way chance.
Stuart: My value bet is Maximum Demand who has won his last two standing-start races and returns to standing-start conditions here.
Ryan: Lord Lexus caught my eye three starts ago when flashing home late. I expect him to get a similar run if dropped out in a race where the best chances are drawn the backline.
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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