28 January 2021 | Wayne Currall
Antero and Miracle Moose are two pacers who have caught the eye of several members of the WA Trotting Media Guild for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas and TABradio’s Matt Young have singled out Miracle Moose as their best bet.
“A dazzling burst from 10th at the bell to finish second to Babyface Adda last week makes it easy to choose Miracle Moose as my best bet on Friday night when he will start from the outside barrier in the seventh event,” Casellas said. “The five-year-old went six wide on the home bend and thundered home.”
And Young agrees.
“Miracle Moose is flying, small field suits and he should sit last and go coast-to-coast in the final circuit,” a confident Young said.
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft are firmly in the corner of Antero in race two.
“Antero has been racing well and finally gets a draw where he can dictate terms,” Wishart said. “In that role he should be winning.”
Havercroft is just as confident.
“Antero battled away from the breeze last week and comes up with the pole this Friday,” Havercroft said. “Led all of the way six starts ago when defeating Ideal Investment under similar conditions. His main danger, Bettor Be Oscar, is drawn on his back too, and that is where Gary Hall Jr will hope to keep him.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is tipping a big night for the Halls.
“It looks as though the father and son team of Gary Hall and Gary Hall Jr could enjoy some good winners at GP this Friday night, particularly in the first three races,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in the main race on the program, with No. 6 Patronus Star. He has an excellent record and won well last week. I expect him to repeat that performance.”
But Media Guild president Wayne Currall doesn’t see the Group 1 Simonds Steel $125,000 4YO Classic (2130m) playing out that way.
“Magnificent Storm has been the dominant horse in this age group all over summer,” Currall said. “He has never tasted defeat in Australia with 11 wins in a row. Trainer Ray Williams has the son of American Ideal flying and Aldo Cortopassi has developed a great understanding of the horse. He’s my best bet.”
TABradio’s Hayden King is keen on Mattjestic Star in the opening race on the 10-event card.
“Mattjestic Star is drawn to lead in the first and he is a demon to catch out in front,” King said. “He rated a quick mile rate when leading throughout in September last year and should win.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning has made Diego his star bet for the night.
“Diego will attempt a second straight win and looks hard to beat from gate two,” Manning said. “He was caught wide when unplaced behind Bletchley Park in the Village Kid Sprint two starts ago. Trainer Gary Hall then dropped Diego sharply in class and he scored a front-running victory. The gelding, who stays in similar company, had notched six victories from his past nine appearances.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Im Rocknroll Magic in race two. He impressed last week when he ran home powerfully from fifth at the bell to finish second to Queen Shenandoah in the Group 2 Nights Of Thunder final.
MATT: Jesse Allwood has been unlucky as of late, this race suits and with even luck in running should go close.
WARREN: Mattjestic Star runs his best races in front and will get every opportunity from the draw. At the indicative price of $9 is worth an each-way ticket.
RYAN: Mattjestic Star grows a leg when drawing the inside and his recent efforts at Pinjarra have been sound.
PAT: My value bet comes in race seven with No. 6 Major Stare. With only seven runners, this race is wide open but with Chris Voak aboard I think he stands an excellent chance.
WAYNE: Manofthepeople is considered a country horse, but his form of late has been good enough to give him an each-way chance in the stand. He flies the tapes and Kyle Harper will have him bowling along in the lead.
HAYDEN: I think Talktomeurmattjesty will power his way to the top. Over the long trip, many may be reluctant to pursue his tearaway lead on the assumption he will come back to them. However, I fancy patience may be misplaced and fortune will favour the brave.
ERNIE: Whozideawasthis, a 10-year-old who has been beaten at his past seven starts, must be showing a lot at trackwork to have remained in top trainer Gary Hall’s stable. He has now drawn favourably, after dropping back from eight when he ran unplaced in last week’s Ray Duffy Memorial. He has won 24 races, including 11 at Gloucester Park.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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