It’s on again. The next instalment of “Bully” versus “Shocky” takes place at Gloucester Park on Friday night when WA’s best two pacers lock horns in the Pat Cranley Memorial (2130m).
Chicago Bull has once again drawn inside Shockwave and will be sent out a short-priced favourite to relegate his younger rival into second place, just like he has at their past three meetings.
However, Stuart McDonald jumps into the bike on Friday night to replace Chicago Bull’s regular reinsman – the suspended Gary Hall Jr – and his only drive on the little champ resulted in a third placing behind Bettors Fire in the 2017 edition of the Village Kid Sprint.
This could give Shockwave supporters some hope of a victory, but members of the WA Trotting Media Guild believe Chicago Bull will still reign supreme despite none of them making him a best bet.
Three of the Guild’s members have made The Kraken their star bet for Friday night’s action-packed 10-event card.
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart, The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and that paper’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft all believe the Aiden De Campo-reined and trained pacer can lead all the way in race two.
“The Kraken has been in fantastic form this time in and should appreciate the low draw on Friday night,” Wishart said. “Too strong last time out from the breeze, but will be on the pegs this week and should be too good.”
Manning agrees.
“Barrier one is a bonus for The Kraken after he was able to face the breeze and win two weeks ago,” Manning said. The four-year-old gelding, who hit an eight-run losing sequence before he recently regained peak form, has won twice in his past four appearances. He looks poised to notch the 10th victory of his career.”
And Havercroft makes it a clean sweep.
“The Kraken has resumed from a recent spell in fine form and comes up with the right draw this Friday,” Havercroft said. “He capitalised on barrier one at Bunbury when second-up and they couldn’t catch him on that occasion.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has gone in search of some value with his best bet.
“Chiaroscuro has been held up his last two against the strongest of opposition,” Young said. “He’s drawn to lead over the middle distance and back down in grade – his race to lose.”
But longshot guru Pat Harding disagrees with his younger colleague.
“Looks like being another tough night at GP this Friday,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race three with No. 2 El Jacko, This horse, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, is well overdue for a win and this could be his chance to break through at good value.”
TABradio’s Hayden King believes One For Dave Andme can take out race six.
“One For Dave Andme was held up at his first-up run when finishing sixth behind Headline Act earlier this month, but hit the line encouragingly,” King said. “Now he draws to lead. I predict he will return to his best and make every post a winner.”
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas, who braved a chilly headquarters on Tuesday night, is keen on Just Makemine Diamonds in race seven.
“Just Makemine Diamonds should appreciate a favourable draw and has bright prospects of ending a losing sequence of 11 when she starts from the No. 2 barrier on Friday night.” Casellas said. “She excels as a frontrunner and I have made her my best bet this week – after she has started at handsome odds and has finished at the rear of the field at her past three starts.”
However, Guild president Wayne Currall is just as confident the enigmatic Thereugo can return to winning form when he tackles Just Makemine Diamonds and co in the seventh race.
“Thereugo hasn’t won in more than a year, but his past two starts where he’s finished close seconds suggest that he’s on the way back,” Currall said. “Ken is kidding himself if he thinks Just Makemine Diamonds can hold the speedy Thereugo at the start. Lindsay Harper will use Thereugo’s blistering pace from the mobile to run to the front. I think he might be able to hold on for an overdue victory from there.”
VALUE BETS
WARREN: Balcatherine made an outstanding return to the track after leading and thrashing similar opposition to Friday night’s race. Should only be improved and despite the tricky draw, at around the suggested price of $6.50, she is outstanding value.
ERNIE: Im Rocknroll Magic, a New Zealand, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth winner, is due to display his best again. The gelding is capable of improving sharply after he faced the breeze and ran unplaced last week. Though beaten at his past seven appearances, he has shown class in four Menangle victories.
RYAN: Convert Denario will have the best seat in the house when following Chicago Bull around GP on Friday night. Gets every chance to run into the placings.
MATT: Typhoon Tiff can carve out some wonderful sectionals and should be close enough to them in the Norms Daughter. Represents big overs for mine in the current market available on TABtouch.
PAT: My value bet of the nigh is also Our Alfie Romeo. She had a great win last week and was my value bet then. I think she can make it two in a row and give punters some joy.
HAYDEN: Black Jack Zac has been racing supremely well for quite some time and his last run was particularly flattering. There does appear to be some pace on and he could swallow them up late at hefty odds.
KEN: For value, I suggest Jack William in race seven. The ultra-consistent pacer will start from the inside of the back line and if he gets into the clear at any stage of the race I’m sure he will figure prominently at the finish.
WAYNE: Henwood Bay will go around at a big price in race eight, but he could surprise. His last few efforts have been sound and if he gets the race run to suit can finish over the top of them.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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