05 March 2020 | Wayne Currall
A quick look at Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park shows there could be at least four odds-on favourites.
And members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have urged punters to follow the “red trail” in search of winners.
Guild president Wayne Currall thinks the procession of odds-on favourites could very well start in the opening race on the 10-event card.
“Sir Galahad looks like going around in the red from his ideal draw in gate one,” Currall said. “Forget about his last run where he was gassed at the start and finished a distant last behind Valbonne. Junior should take him straight to the front and he’s the one they all have to get over. Not much value on offer, but little fish are sweet.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart is thinking along the same lines.
“I’m going to be different this week and make my best bet a treble,” Wishart said. “It does look a punter-friendly night and those that like to take short odds should have a great time. My three standouts are Race 5 No.1 Double Expresso, Race 6 No. 2 Major Martini and Race 10 No.1 Franco Ecuador. All three have a class and barrier draw advantage and will win.”
TABradio’s form expert Hayden King is keen on Major Martini.
“I think Major Martini has a bit on his rivals, particularly in terms of his sprinting power,” King said. “If he gets the right luck in running he should zoom past.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and TABradio racecaller Matt Young believe Franco Ecuador can return to winning form in the last race.
“Barrier one should boost Franco Ecuador’s prospects of bouncing back to confirm he is a top contender for next month’s $200,000 WA Derby,” Manning said. “The colt scored impressive Pinjarra wins at his first two appearances, then was caught in the breeze and finished fifth when stepping up in class to tackle the Caduceus Club Classic. It was his first race in more than two months. He appears to be a future class performer for owner Rob Watson and trainer-reinsman Kim Prentice.”
Young agrees.
“Franco Ecuador has the draw and should be leading and winning in a drop back in grade,” Young said. “He looks the goods.”
Longshot king Pat Harding is going against the odds-on theme and has made Marquisard his best bet.
“It seems that every Friday night at GP is a tough one for tipsters and punters and I think this one will be no different,” Harding said. “My best bet of the night comes up with Marquisard in Race 2. This horse has certainly been about the place in recent starts and drawing No.1 with Chris Voak aboard gives him a real chance to hit the winners’ circle.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas also has deserted the horses in the red, at least as his best bet.
“Justin Prentice’s handy mare Pick My Pocket is sure to appreciate a drop in class this week and is my best bet to beat Parisian Partygirl and Madame Meilland,” Casellas said. “Pick My Pocket is the solitary runner on the back line and Chris Lewis will have plenty of options during the 2130m journey. She finished solidly from eighth at the bell when fifth behind Rosies Ideal last Friday night.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believes brilliant filly Double Expresso is a standout in the fifth race.
“Double Expresso has compiled an impressive career record, having won at 10 of her 13 lifetime appearances,” Havercroft said. “She is drawn ideally to add the three-year-old leg of the Sales Classic to her resume, having won the two-year-old leg 12 months ago, also as a red-hot favourite.“
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: Rocknroll Whitby, a last-start winner at Narrogin, has drawn to get the run of the race behind likely leader Captain Mannering. He could surprise at odds.
WARREN: Ana Malak hasn’t been seen since the WA Pacing Cup where he was unplaced. Did finish fourth in the two key lead-ups to that race. I can see this race being run uptempo and with his wide draw he may get out to each-way odds.
HAYDEN: Iceenothink could be at OK odds and he is absolutely flying. He made ground out wide in devastating sectionals last run and if the speed is fair he can zap them late.
ERNIE: Dontstopbelievin has not won in her past six starts and earlier had an 18-run losing sequence. But she showed zest when notching three Gloucester Park placings in January. The mare, a winner of three Gloucester Park races, needs only a little luck to be prominent again.
MATT: Captain Mannering was really good last start and looks a solid each-way chance here.
PAT: Dominate The Dojo hasn’t had a great deal of luck since a second placing four starts ago. However, this is not a particularly strong field and I think Chris Lewis can guide him to victory.
KEN: For value, I suggest My Carbon Copy in the opening event in which he has the ability to overcome an awkward draw at barrier seven. He had no luck at all when badly hampered for room in the final circuit and finishing fast in the late stages to be third behind Bracken Sky and Grinny Vinnie last Friday night.
RYAN: Bee Seventeen is racing too well not to be considered a chance again. The wide draw hurts but his form is good and he is likely to go around at double-figure odds.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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