11 October 2018 | Wayne Currall
In youth we learn; in age we understand. That could well be the message to Hayden King, the newest and youngest member of the WA Trotting Media Guild.
King was confidence personified when he claimed Mister Versace would lead all the way in the $22,000 Fred Doy Memorial (2130m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Mister Versace will be able to hold up from the inside draw and was responsible for an outstanding effort from last at the bell at his last start,” King said. “He reeled off brilliant closing sectionals and this looks at his mercy.”
Bold words indeed. Most of the older, wiser members of the WATMG know through bitter experience that “there’s no such thing as a good thing”.
But King was undaunted and went on to proclaim another of his selections, Tanaka Eagle, as “unbeatable”.
“Although not much value, I recommend taking Tanaka Eagle with my best bet,” he said. “He will lead from the advantageous gate and finds a race he can’t lose.”
Brash words when you consider Tanaka Eagle hasn’t placed at his past five starts.
A much more cautious approach was adopted by three other members of the WA Trotting Media Guild when assessing their best bet.
Veteran tipster Stuart Lowe, long-serving harness racing writer at The West Australian Ernie Manning and TABradio racecaller Matt McDermott have labelled former Kiwi pacer Our Max Phactor as their best.
“My best bet is the former New Zealander Our Max Phactor, who has won all four WA starts,” Lowe said. “He was very impressive in winning here last week after racing in the breeze throughout. Should be too good here.”
Manning also was singing the praises of Our Max Phactor.
“This versatile former Kiwi should be able to handle his switch to a mobile start after racing from stands at three of his local appearances,” Manning said. “His tally from 19 mobile starts is nine wins and seven places.”
McDermott is of the same opinion.
“Our Max Phactor looks a nice pacer with four unbeaten starts in WA from various distances and start conditions,” McDermott said. “Back to a mobile on Friday night over 2536m he should be rolling forward and, if not leading, could possibly breeze and control things from there.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding (watch him folks, he’s yet to strike this season) believes Mitch Maguire can continue on his winning ways.
“My best bet comes up in race two with No.4 Mitch Maguire,” Harding said. “This is a very consistent horse and should win again. There’s not a huge amount of opposition and I expect him to go to the front and lead all the way.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas hasn’t let Rocknroll Lincoln’s wide draw dampen his spirits.
“Drawing the outside barrier is a significant disadvantage at Gloucester Park,” Casellas said. “But Rocknroll Lincoln has the class to overcome this and is my best bet on Friday night. The Justin Prentice-trained entire was most impressive first-up last Friday week when he revealed wonderful acceleration to charge home from the one-out, one-back position to win from Speed Man.”
TABradio’s Matt Young, like King, believes veteran pacer Tanaka Eagle can return to the winners’ list.
“Tanaka Eagle has drawn to lead and meets a moderate field and thought he would lead and win this race,”Young said.
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on the Kristian Hawkins-trained Dontstopbelievin.
“Dontstopbelievin was classes above her rivals at Kellerberrin on Sunday and her form prior to that was more than sound,” Havercroft said. “She looks to have a bright future and appears well-placed in the Preux Chevalier heat this Friday.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is at odds with Havercroft and has made the other Hawkins mare, She Could Be Good, as his best bet.
“I know She Could Be Good is returning to racing after a three-month break, but the last time she drew the pole over 2130m she led all the way in a slick 1:56.9,” Currall said. “If she can run anywhere near that time they won’t be catching her on Friday night”
VALUE BETS
Hayden: Not much value here, but Tanaka Eagle will lead and win. Double him up with Mister Versace, my best bet, for some value.
Stuart: My value bet is Qtown Rip Roaring, who is racing better than his numerical form indicates. He is aided here with a drop in class and a good draw and should go close.
Ernie: Collie mare Kissmecougar ran last in a six-horse field a week ago, but she had difficulty getting clear and should have finished closer. Her nine wins include two at Gloucester Park.
Matt M: Whoswhointhezoo turned in a nice run on Monday, leading easy and sticking with the winner beaten only two metres in a 56.4 last half. Not sure what price he’ll start with other chances in the race but drawn well enough to take advantage.
Pat: My value bet is Mister Versace. Coming out of barrier one, he is ideally placed to repeat his performance four starts ago when he led from this draw and won. With Chris Voak aboard, I expect him to run really well.
Ken: For value, I suggest Bettor Finish, the polemarker in race four. He has been placed at three of his four starts since resuming from a spell and is close to a win.
Matt Y: Glow Bright is a throw at the stumps, could race close and handy and worth a small bet at big odds to open the program.
Ryan: Sokys Bigbullet has had three runs since resuming and drawn to be in the breeze, which is where he wants to be. Others have better numerical form, but he’s not without claims.
Wayne: Chiaroscuro was responsible for an outstanding effort last start at GP. He tramped three wide for the last 800m, which was run in a slick 56.8, when a gutsy third behind Mighty Flying Deal. With better luck in running he can win this at odds.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
