26 April 2018 | Wayne Currall
It’s a mixed bag from members of the WA Trotting Media Guild as far as best bets go for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
Only two members – TABradio’s two Matts (McDermott and Young) – have agreed on a star bet for the 10-event card.
McDermott believes Touch Of Success can make amends for a last-start eighth at headquarters.
“Touch Of Success was held up up last start behind Tisadream,” McDermott said. “He has good gate speed and should find this field to his liking.”
Young agrees with his colleague.
“Touch Of Success has drawn to lead,” Young said. “And back to the short course should see him lead and win with a leg in the air.”
But longshot king Pat Harding disagrees with the two Matts.
“I have a feeling that this could be a night of upsets at GP,” Harding said. “With that in mind I think punters might be bailed out in the last race of the night with No 10, Tuas Delight. While his form does not make good reading, this is a fairly weak field and I believe Gary Hall Jr can get the job done and repay some of the money punters have lost in recent weeks.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes classy veteran Bettors Fire can cross from his wide draw and lead all the way on Friday night.
“Bettors Fire notched his 19th Gloucester Park win when he showed customary front running dash and scored convincingly on April 6,” Manning said. “An outstanding performance was produced by Bettors Fire when he started from 50m behind in the Easter Cup and ran a close second to Importer Exporter after striking interference.”
Last season’s leading tipster Stuart Lowe is in squaregaiter Sun Of Anarchy’s camp.
“My best bet is Sun Of Anarchy who came off 50m and covered plenty of ground when an easy winner in 2.2.1 here at his last start,” Lowe said. “Won off 50m at previous standing start. Comes off 10m here and is the one to beat.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas is a fan of Bronze Seeker.
“Nine-year-old Bronze Seeker continues to race with youthful zest and he is sure to appreciate a favourable barrier in the eighth event,” Casellas said. “He impressed last Friday night when he raced five back on the pegs in ninth position before finishing fast into sixth place behind Whozideawasthis. He is blessed with good gate speed and is set to enjoy a perfect trail behind the likely pacemaker Khun Ratha.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believes Liberty Rose can continue on her winning ways.
“Liberty Rose has won at three of her four local runs (she was retired from a race two starts ago when she had broken gear),” Havercroft said. “Her main rival Our Angel Of Harlem is again drawn to her outside and Liberty Rose should continue her local unbeaten run to the WA Oaks.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is playing it safe in labelling Its Rock And Roll as his best bet on the program.
“Its Rock And Roll is drawn to lead and make it an all-the-way victory in the Champagne Stakes,” Currall said. “Will be short, but should be winning.”
VALUE BETS
Matt McDermott: Chevrons Champion has been running consistent placings. I again think she is an each-way chance.
Matt Young: Mary Catherine looks perfectly placed to either lead or race handy to them and be very close in the Mares Final.
Pat: Futurist ran a creditable race last week to finish second, but I think he can go one better particularly as this race is over the 2536m journey.
Ernie: Sokys Bigbullet, who has not raced for almost four months, could reproduce his Bunbury Cup winning form while fresh. He won the cup and a GP event at consecutive starts last November.
Stuart: My value bet is Chevrons Champion who has been in excellent form. Gets best draw for long time and has great each-way claims.
Ken: For value, I suggest Risk from barrier eight in race six. He is the most talented runner in the race and can overcome his wide draw.
Ryan: Sokys Bigbullet ran some game races last time in and though resuming Friday night, Tony Svilicich-trained horses rarely lack fitness and he looks a good each-way proposition.
Wayne: Campora is drawn to get all the favours on Friday night. He follows out stablemate and likely favourite Luis Alberto and can run a race at odds.
FOOTNOTE: Veteran tipster and all-around good guy Bill Brindley has retired from the WA Trotting Media Guild for personal reasons. On behalf of all of our members, I would like to congratulate and thank Bill for his work behind the scenes in the WA harness racing industry.
Bill has been a tireless worker for our sport over many years, particularly with his beloved Pinjarra Trotting Club. We wish Bill and his family all the best in the future.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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