25 October 2018 | Wayne Currall
Most members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have put the budding stars on top in their respective races.
Veteran tipster Stuart Lowe and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft have made Bechers Brook their best bet on the 10-event card.
“My best bet is Bechers Brook, who has won four of his last five starts,” Lowe said. “Won easily at his only two starts this season. Looks a class above his rivals here.”
And Havercroft was even more enthusiastic about Bechers Brook.
“Bechers Brook’s run last week was one of the best produced at Gloucester Park in a long time and he gets into this race very nicely,” Havercroft said. “It’s staggering to think there may yet be improvement in him after only two runs since a spell.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes King Of Swing is poised to bounce back to winning form after his last-start sixth behind Vampiro in the Mount Eden Sprint.
“Punters would be wise to put a line through King Of Swing’s last start,” Currall said. “He just never got into the race last week and will be much better suited over the longer journey. He can return to the winners’ list here.”
Longshot king Pat Harding, novice racecaller Hayden King, The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and the newest member of the Guild, Tim Walker from RWWA are all keen on Benhope Rulz.
Manning summed up the thoughts of his colleagues.
“Benhope Rulz is a talented four-year-old who appears to hold an edge against older pacers on Friday night and he shapes as a genuine prospect for the $200,000 Golden Nugget (2536m) at Gloucester Park in December,” Manning said. “The gelding recently won at four consecutive starts and there was plenty of merit in his last-start fourth from gate eight.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas has earmarked The Buckeye Bullet as his star bet.
“The formidable combination of Forrestdale trainers Greg and Skye Bond and reinsman Ryan Warwick has made a flying start to the 2018-19 season and promising three-year-old The Buckeye Bullet has bright prospects of victory on Friday night,” Casellas said.
“The New Zealand-bred The Buckeye Bullet is awkwardly drawn out wide at barrier seven in the 2130m event, but he has the ability to overcome this disadvantage and is my best bet on the program. He is capable of making amends for his most unlucky third at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon when he met with severe interference 750m from home and broke into a fierce gallop.”
Last season’s leading tipster Matt Young has made squaregaiter Lightning Calder his best bet.
“Lightning Calder is absolutely flying and looks the winner in the last and should be an anchor in all multis with the appointment of the Voak Train,” Young said.
VALUE BETS
Stuart: My value bet is Soho Wonder, who trailed Jack Mac last week before being beaten a length and a half. Was placed at two of his previous starts. Looks close to a win.
Ryan: Bruce Stanley astutely prepares his team of trotters and I’d expect The Male Model to perform well at his local debut. Brings sound numerical Sydney form and history says he is steady in his gait.
Wayne: In a race where there looks like there’ll be lots of pace on with odds-on favourite Eden Franco drawn wide, Forever Remembered can never be underestimated.
Pat: Happy to give Arthur Lowe another chance in race three. I think he can win from barrier three. He’s been knocking on the door and this could be his night.
Hayden: Mister Ardee will get a beautiful run and if the breaks go his way on the turn he can finish hard to win.
Ernie: Ideal One has not been placed in four Gloucester Park starts, but he has been impressive in recent wins at Pinjarra. The gelding also ran two seconds there earlier this month and he appears ready for city success.
Tim: Hastalavista was terrorised in the lead by Mister Editorial on Tuesday at headquarters. He’s drawn to lead here and could be hard to roll with an easier time in front.
Ken: For value, I suggest Pick My Pocket in race six. Pick My Pocket is sure to be improved after her good first-up third behind Dontstopbelievin last Friday week.
Matt: Im Full Of Excuses is not the best GP performer, but I’ve liked a few of his runs and think he could be sweeping home strongly at odds here.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
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