03 March 2022 | Wayne Currall
Punters can get off to a flyer at Gloucester Park on Friday night, according to three members of the WA Trotting Media Guild
Veteran journalist Ken Casellas, The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and TABradio’s Hayden King all believe High Price is a good thing in the opening event.
“Punters love to start with a winner, and I’m confident that I can set them on the right path on Friday night by declaring High Price as my best bet,” Casellas said.
“High Price, trained by Gary Hall, is a talented, lightly raced three-year-old who will start from barrier one in race one at his first appearance for five months. He will be driven by Callan Suvaljko, who is expected to attempt an all-the-way victory.
High Price warmed up for this week’s assignment in fine style in a 2185m trial at Pinjarra four Wednesdays ago when he led for the first 400m and then trailed the pacemaker Sonic Suzy before finishing strongly to win, hard-held, by a half-head from Knight Eagle.”
And Havercroft agrees.
“High Price has been fancied at both starts to date but made a mistake when a last-start seventh after breaking in the run,” Havercroft said. “Has won a Pinjarra trial in preparation for his first-up assignment and draws favourably. Looks a likely winning hope here.”
King is singing from the same prayer book.
“High Price would have been two from two if he didn’t make an early error in his most recent run,” King said. “He comes up with the coveted No. 1 barrier and I expect him to lead all the way.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is keen on Rock Me Over in the last.
“Rock Me Over provides the rare case of a pacer who looks the meeting’s best bet after failing to win in his past 27 starts,” Manning said. “The gelding, a Gloucester Park placegetter in four of his past five races, has won 16 events at headquarters and his stake-earnings total almost $350,000. He ran second and third last month in stronger class than his grade this week.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has opted for Doc Holliday as his star bet.
“Should be some interesting racing at GP this Friday night,” Harding said. “I have a feeling we might see some outsiders come home. My best bet is in race five with No. 2 Doc Holliday. Had a good win three starts ago and from a good barrier I think he can repeat the dose.”
Guild president Wayne Currall has made Will I Rocknroll his best bet for the night.
“Callan Suvaljko, filling in for the suspended Gary Hall Jr, only has three drives for the night but he could still land a double,” Currall said. “He drives favourite High Price in the first and then jumps on to Will I Rocknroll in the second. Will I Rocknroll has had three starts since a spell – all in higher grade than what he meets on Friday night. He’ll appreciate the drop in class and can power home over the top of this field.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Vespa in race three. He relishes a frontrunning role, and if he is able to deny the hot favourite Hampton Banner from leading he will take plenty of catching.
RYAN: Deeorse looks a place play from barrier two from where he can drop straight to the pegs and follow Just Wing It onto the podium.
HAYDEN: The Tiger Army excels as a frontrunner and gets that opportunity from the inside gate. While he faces quality opposition, he’s the one they all have to get past.
ERNIE: Bettys Lass, a winner of five races, showed a glimpse of her best when third at Gloucester Park last month. She has not won in her past 32 starts, but should not be underrated.
PAT: My double comes up in race seven with No. 1 Just Wing It. Likely to be very short in the market but is head and shoulders above the rest.
WAYNE: At a meeting devoid of value, I’m suggesting an all-up might be the way to go. Will I Rocknroll into Hampton Banner into Miracle Moose with Just Wing It bringing the bacon home.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week
Good punting.
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