29 July 2021 | Wayne Currall
Many varied best bets for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park from members of the WA Trotting Media Guild.
And we even have a clash of best bets between award-winning journalist Ken Casellas and TABradio’s Hayden King.
Casellas believes Vespa can post an overdue win in race two.
“Second placings behind smart pacers Alta Blues and Gambit earlier this month are a good indication of Vespa’s ability,” Casellas said. “Therefore, I am making him my best bet and am confident that he will end a losing sequence of 12 by winning on Friday night.”
Not so, according to King.
“Machs Gold has been racing deceptively well at recent starts,” King said. “Now, he gets the pole. I think he’ll be able to utilise this barrier to clinch victory.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on Fifty Five Reborn in the Group 3 Pacing For Pink Kerry Clarke 4YO & 5YO Classic (2130m).
“Fifty Five Reborn has led and saluted at her last three and she is drawn to repeat the dose from barrier one,” Havercroft said. “Colin Brown has this mare racing in career-best form for this and Alta Blues will have to come from a back-line draw to challenge here.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has made Patronus Star his best bet.
“Should be another fascinating night of pacing at GP this Friday night with the Bond camp looking to add to their winning ways,” Harding said. “My best bet comes in race five with the Bond-trained Patronus Star coming out of barrier seven. Ran a good second last week, but with Ryan Warwick aboard I think he will go one better in this small field over the 2536 metre journey.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning has opted for another Greg and Skye Bond-trained pacer as his star bet.
“Classy four-year-old Minstrel has won four of his five standing-start races and should not be troubled by a 40m handicap,” Manning said. “An import from New Zealand, the gelding showed his talent when winning this year’s $200,000 Golden Nugget. He came back from a spell in top order and is unbeaten in three starts since resuming. His past two wins have been from stands at Gloucester Park and it is anticipated he will step safely.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is keeping his powder dry until the last race.
“Seven No Trumps is coming out of the Golden Slipper, where he met trouble,” Young said. “It’s the perfect draw and he trialled up well, looks very hard to beat.”
Media Guild president Wayne Currall really liked the run of Miracle Moose last week and has made the Nathan Turvey-trained pacer the best for the night.
“Miracle Moose hit the track running last week with his courageous first-up second behind star pacer Magnificent Storm,” Currall said. “It was the horse’s first outing in more than three months and ‘The Moose’ performed admirably. He’s the one to beat on Friday night.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Deeorse in the opening event in which he is favourably drawn at barrier No. 2. He is a versatile five-year-old who looks set to fight out the finish and has sound claims of breaking a losing run of 22.
HAYDEN: Diamond Dove hit the line strongly in the Higgins. This is not the strongest Friday night race and, if things work out, she will be motoring home late.
RYAN: Awaitinginstructions gets another 10 metres head-start off Minstrel having gone under by only 3.9 metres under similar conditions in the BOTRA Cup. That might be enough to reverse the result.
PAT: My best double bet comes up in race seven with the Barry Howlett-trained Star Of Diamonds coming out of barrier seven. She is resuming after a spell, but her previous form was excellent and I think Chris Voak can bring her home.
ERNIE: Deeorse has not won in 22 starts over the past eight months, but he is capable of being highly competitive after starting from gate two. The Debbie Padberg-trained gelding showed glimpses of peak form when placed in three of his past six appearances. He would not surprise if making a return to the winners’ list.
MATT: Major Times will benefit from what looks to be a good speed in the FFA event. Looks a great chance to show his best.
WAYNE: Euphoric Moment looks a great each-way chance in the feature event, providing Deni Roberts can hold the back of likely leader Fifty Five Reborn.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
