25 January 2018 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are at odds with each other in a couple of races on Saturday night’s card at Gloucester Park.
The usual Friday night meeting has been moved to the Saturday time slot because of the Australia Day fireworks show on Friday night.
It’s an excellent program of pacing highlighted by the $50,000 The West Australian Nights Of Thunder Final (1730m) and the $25,000 International Animal Health Products The Im Themightyquinn Final (2130m).
Leading tipster Stuart Lowe has labelled polemarker Im Rockaria as his best for the night in the Im Themightyquinn Final.
“My best bet is I’m Rockaria who was a brilliant last-start winner off a back mark in a standing-start race,” Lowe said. “He’s ideally drawn here in a mobile from barrier one and will be hard to beat.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is at odds with Lowe and has made classy mare Maczaffair his star bet in the same race.
“Maczaffair won last month’s Coulson Final and now looks set to complete a feature event double by landing the Im Themighytyquinn Final,” Manning said. “She was balloted from the Fremantle Pacing Cup and WA Pacing Cup. But judging by the style in which she has won her past three races by a total of 30m, the mare could have been competitive if starting in the major races.”
TABradio’s Matt Young believes Fremantle Cup winner My Hard Copy can return to the winners’ list in the $25,000 Ray Duffy Memorial Pace (2130m).
“My Hard Copy drops in grade essentially and looks the one to beat,” Young said. “He has been flying since returning to the stables of leading trainer Gary Hall.”
But longshot maestro Pat Harding disagrees with Young, and has made the in-form Abraxas Blues his best bet in the same race.
“Abraxas Blues has hit a purple patch of form with two successive wins and although he’s drawn barrier nine that should not be a problem given the race distance of 2536 metres,” Harding said. “I expect him to go on his winning ways.”
On-course announcer Ken Casellas is a fan of tough six-year-old gelding All Jokes Aside.
“All Jokes Aside has resumed after a spell in splendid form and is my star bet to notch his ninth win from only 33 starts when he starts from the favourable No.3 barrier,” Casellas said. “He tramped three wide early and then raced without cover when a fighting third behind Kerrin Joseph last Friday night.That was an excellent effort at his first appearance at headquarters.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on standing-start specialist Assassinator.
“Assassinator should be able to return to winning form in the stand after a last-start seventh behind Im Rockaria,” Havercroft said. With only one runner on the front line, the noted good beginner should press forward early from the 10 metre line and stake his claims.”
Guild president Wayne Currall has labelled Runrunjimmydunn in the opening event as his star bet.
“Runrunjimmydunn hasn’t been seen since his close second behind Vampiro in mid-December,” Currall said. “On that occasion he sat in the breeze and only went down by a half-head after they covered the last 800m in a slick 55.3. Should prove too classy for his rivals.”
VALUE BETS
Stuart: Importer Exporter ran on well in the race won by Im Rockaria. Nicely drawn in two and is normally a smart beginner from the stand. Hard to beat if he leads.
Ernie: Cimorene won the Diamond Classic last season and appeared to be regaining her best form when second and third recently. Had difficulty getting clear when unplaced in the race won by class colt Bechers Brook last Friday. Suited in return to fillies’ class.
Matt: Tommy Be Good has to overcome 30m but his form is good and in stronger company. Loves the stand and is a great each-way prospect.
Pat: Whenever Lauren Jones gets the opportunity to drive a horse from the Hall stable she inevitably produces the goods and I expect her to do so with Extreme Prince in race two.
Ken: Billies A Star has not been successful for 17 months, but has claims here, second-up after a spell, in a small field.
Ryan: Glow Bright has been racing in good form of late and will likely end up three back on the fence, which should suit him. From there he would be a good each-way chance.
Wayne: Polemarker Bettor Not Knowing has drawn to run a cheeky race in the second event. The in-form Chris Voak takes the reins and may attempt an all-the-way victory.
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
