20 December 2018 | Wayne Currall
All members of the WA Trotting Media Guild believe Saying Grace will win Friday night’s $50,000 Christmas Gift Final (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
And five members – TABradio’s Matt Young, longshot king Pat Harding, veteran tipster Stuart Lowe, The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker – have labelled the Greg and Skye Bond-trained pacer as their best bet.
Lowe summed up the thoughts of his colleagues.
“The best bet for me is the classy Saying Grace, who has impressed with easy wins here at his last two starts,” Lowe said. “He meets a strong field here, but is very well drawn and is likely to lead.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and Guild president Wayne Currall are keen on Bettor Aim.
Manning’s thoughts echoed Currall’s.
“Bettor Aim drops sharply in class after a fighting fifth behind stablemates from the powerful Bond team in last Friday night’s Golden Nugget,” Manning said. “The gelding had won at his previous six starts and appears to have a bright future. He should get every chance from barrier two this week.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas has earmarked Bettor B Abeliever as his star bet.
“Sparkling gate speed should enable Bettor B Abeliever to bounce to the front from the No. 2 barrier and the four-year-old has the class to set the pace and hold his rivals at bay,” Casellas said. “Kyle Harper excels as a frontrunning driver and the Paula Petricevich-trained entire is my best bet on the program.”
Budding racecaller Hayden King believes punters can cash in early with Oneonthewood in the second race.
“Oneonthewood should be able to use the draw to his advantage and work his way back into the winners’ list,” King said. “Has been bursting to win one and this is his chance.”
VALUE BETS
Matt: Mister Ardee finds himself in a suitable grade and should run a good race at each-way odds.
Pat: Responder with Michael Grantham aboard comes out of barrier three and is ideally placed. He hasn’t had much luck in recent races but I think he can bring home the bikkies in this race.
Stuart: My value bet is Dominate The Dojo, who was very unlucky when badly held up here at his last start. Ready to win.
Ryan: Costa Del Magnifico has been flying the strands of late. At a good each-way quote, he would be a chance of leading this field.
Tim: On a night when there isn’t a great deal of value, Lord Willoughby might be the best of it first-up. He’s drawn well here and he’s a model of consistency.
Ernie: Back To The Beach has not won at his past nine starts, but he impressed when a first-up placegetter after facing the breeze last Saturday night. He has won nine races, including four at GP.
Wayne: The Bucket List usually races well fresh. He’s returning to racing after a two-month break but drops appreciably in class in the stand.
Ken: For value, I suggest Mileys Desire in race nine. She is in top form and her winning performance at headquarters last Saturday night had to be seen to be believed.
Hayden: One For Sassy was knocked over last week and a forward showing wouldn’t surprise. Has been racing well of late.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting and Merry Christmas!
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