07 November 2019 | Wayne Currall
The State’s best trotter, Lord Liam, and consistent four-year-old Robbie Easton are expected to continue on their winning ways at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have earmarked the two horses as best bets on the 10-event card.
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and Guild president Wayne Currall believe Lord Liam can extend his picket fence to eight in a row.
“Lord Liam has won at his last seven runs, all from behind the mobile,” Havercroft said. “Bob Mellsop has the State’s in-form trotter firing and he should be fresh with three weeks since his last run.”
Currall agrees.
“Lord Liam is racing in a rich vein of form,” Currall said. “He knows where the winning post is and his will to win must be a delight to his owners/breeders, the Matthews family. Victory on Friday night will take the 10-year-old’s earnings past the $250,000 mark.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart are firmly in the Robbie Easton camp.
“Robbie Easton is in line to complete a winning hat-trick for trainer Gary Hall and could emerge as a genuine Golden Nugget contender after being in the shadow of his classy four-year-old stablemates headed by Wildwest,” Manning said. “Last Friday night, Robbie Easton jumped up from midweek class and faced the breeze on his way to an impressive victory. He has been a Gloucester Park winner at three of his past five starts.”
Wishart is just as enthusiastic.
“My best bet comes up in race seven with No. 5 Robbie Easton,” Wishart said. “This looks an easier assignment than last week when he was too strong. Just looks a good thing.“
Veteran form expert Ken Casellas is keen on the chances of Carter Micheal.
“Carter Micheal is a model of consistency and the Nathan Turvey-trained six-year-old is my best bet this week when he starts from barrier five in the Glenroy Chaff Pace,” Casellas said. “The New Zealand-bred gelding has been most impressive on the past two Friday nights with close seconds in fast time behind Major Pocket and Bettor Reward.”
TABradio racecaller Matt Young likes the chances of Ocean Ridge in the opening event.
“Ocean Ridge bombed the start on Monday at Pinjarra and was a big run into second place behind the very smart Gee Jay Kay,” Young said. “The 2536m suits this pacer and he should be winning.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has settled on Our Alfie Romeo as his best for the evening.
“My best bet of the night comes up in race six with the ever consistent Our Alfie Romeo from the Bond camp,” Harding said. “Coming out of barrier three this horse should continue on her winning way and notch up another impressive performance.“
But TABradio form expert Hayden King disagrees with Harding’s summation of the race.
“Crystal Sparkles was magnificent last week when determinedly chopping down Vincenzo Peruggia in the shadows, who looked to have committed another theft,” King said. ”She can lead and win, showing that she is up to these ahead of the Mares Classic.”
VALUE BETS
RYAN: Anime resumes from a well-deserved break and could run a race. Will have the option of dropping to the pegs from barrier two.
WAYNE: Parisian Partygirl is drawn to get the run of the race in the sixth. She loves the pegs and will be thundering home at the business end of the event.
ERNIE: Oneonthewood has not won in his past 18 starts, but he is due to break the victory drought. Seven places have been run by the veteran in his last eight appearances. Chasing his ninth standing start win, he should be fresh when racing for the first time in a month.
WARREN: My best value is in race four No. 2 El Hombre. This is lovely placement by the stable taking on horses with considerable less earnings and on top of that he gets a plum draw. If he can lead he will go close and is likely to be at each-way odds.
KEN: For value, I suggest Twilight Saga in race eight, a 2503m stand in which she will start from the inside on the front line and should enjoy a perfect run, either leading or sitting behind the pacemaker. She has managed just one placing from six starts this season, but will pay to follow.
MATT: Cracka Star got home well last start and both runs back have been solid. It’s an open event and definitely worth something each way on.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race seven with the Mike Reed-trained Valbonne. With Michael Grantham aboard I think he can give punters good value for money.
HAYDEN: Mad Robber looks to have finally been incarcerated in the leaders back position this week, but if he gets out he should come all over the top.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
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