08 March 2018 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have labelled Chok Chai and Lady De La Renta as star bets on Friday night’s 10-event card at Gloucester Park.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and longshot king Pat Harding believe punters can get off to a good start with the Gary Hall-trained Chok Chai in the opening event.
“Chok Chai looks set for a triumphant return to Friday night racing after winning in midweek company at each of his three starts since an injury-enforced spell,” Manning said. “He has set the pace in his comeback races and barrier one gives him the chance for another all-the-way victory. Possesses an impressive career tally of nine wins and two places from 12 starts.”
Harding agrees with his colleague.
“Punters should get off to a great start in the first with Chok Chai,” Harding said. “The horse had a very impressive win during the week and coming out of barrier one should give Gary Hall Jr a great start to the night.”
Veteran tipster Bill Brindley and last season’s leading tipster Stuart Lowe are in the Lady De La Renta camp.
“Lady De La Renta is a standout in the third, going on her recent wins, and Rock Me Over appears to have too much class for the opposition in race seven,” Brindley said.
Lowe is in agreement with Brindley.
“Lady De La Renta has performed well against the State’s best three-year-old fillies, as evidenced by her last-start win,” Lowe said. “Will appreciate the class drop here and should win.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on Rockin The Boys.
“Rockin The Boys was gallant in defeat when collared by Hot Fraternity in the shadows of the post last week,” Havercroft said. “From a similar draw he should again be on the pace and will take beating if he can reproduce that effort.”
But TABradio’s Matt Young disagrees with Havercroft and has made One For Sassy, in the same event, his best for the night.
“My best bet is One For Sassy,” Young said. “He is a very good frontrunner and is racing super for Dean Miller. He gets the chance to lead throughout here.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas has opted for one of his favourite horses, Major Catastrophe, as his star bet.
“Redoubtable stayer Major Catastrophe should appreciate a massive drop in class and win the second event on Friday night,” Casellas said. “The powerful nine-year-old was far from disgraced in finishing eighth in the Pinjarra Cup on Monday when he clashed with superstars Chicago Bull and My Hard Copy and is my best bet on an interesting program.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is keen on Rock Me Over.
“This Kat Warwick-trained colt drops in class in the $25,000 Milford Homes Roofline Series 3YO Colts and Geldings Sales Classic Final,” Currall said. “With Junior in the bike and from gate three he should prove too strong for his nine rivals.”
VALUE BETS
Ernie: Stuart McDonald’s re-instatement as Ooshtaa’s reinsman is a key driving engagement. McDonald drove him to win and run second at consecutive starts last month. Overlook an unplaced run last Monday, when he was set a tough task.
Pat: Lady De La Renta should come up trumps for punters. She has some excellent form and with Chris Voak aboard should prove to be a good investment for punters.
Bill: My value bets are One For Sassy and Alfs Odyssey. They both line up from barrier one in the final two races and can lead throughout.
Stuart: Mister Tom Dooley has been racing well and loves the stand. Being the only runner off the front gives him each-way claims.
Ryan: Trustytrev has had five runs back and made late ground when fourth to Bettor Not Knowing last Saturday at Northam. I liked how he got home on that occasion and this field lacks brilliance.
Matt: Gotta Go Yanky turned in a solid performance two starts ago. C D Brown jumps back aboard and looks a chance at big odds.
Ken: Nothingbutadream caught the eye when he finished boldly from last at the bell to be third behind Hot Fraternity and Rockin The Boys last Friday night.
Wayne: Soho Eastwood is drawn to get a soft trip in the last race. Forget he ever went around last week as he was held up and never got clear. Is an each-way chance.
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Good Punting.
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