15 September 2022 | Wayne Currall
Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park features the running of the rich Allwood Stud Farm Westbred Classics (2130m) for the two-year-olds.
The two Group 1 events – one for the colts and geldings and one for the fillies – will see the pacers compete for $215,000 in prize money in each race.
The lucky owners of the winner of each race will take home more than $100,000.
The majority of the members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have bypassed the two features when assessing the meeting for their best bets on the 10-event card.
But Guild president Wayne Currall has made Zephyra, in the fillies division of the classic, his best for the night.
“It’s no surprise that Zephyra is a filly with untapped ability,” Currall said. “Her dam Tricky Styx was a star on the racetrack and Zephyra, the winner of five of her seven starts, is showing she’s inherited her mother’s genes. Trainer/driver Dylan Egerton Green knows he’s behind the best horse in the race and he would be going into this race full of confidence. Zephyra will be in the red but I’m confident she’ll justify her short quote.”
Pat Harding, the former longshot guru, is keen on Boom Time.
“Looks like another tough night at GP this Friday,” Harding said. “There are some good nominations but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see some longshots come home. My best bet comes up in race three with No. 2 Boom Time. Had a good win three starts ago and is ideally placed here to record another one.”
However, that’s not how award-winning journalist Ken Casellas and Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and the Sunday Times, see the race panning out.
“There is no substitute for class, and there is no doubt that Stamford is the quality performer in race three,” Casellas said. “Therefore I’m delighted to declare the Ray Williams-trained gelding my best bet this week at his first appearance after an 11-week break. Stamford went for a spell on a high, racing wide early and then setting the pace before winning from the fast-finishing Rokorico on July 1.”
And Manning agrees with Casellas.
“Classy four-year-old Stamford can showcase his Group 1 Golden Nugget prospects when resuming after a spell,” Manning said. “Stamford is a prime candidate for the Nugget and other summer carnival feature events judging by his 11 wins from 20 starts. Williams turned him out after a Gloucester Park win on July 1, specifically to time his break before a preparation to tackle the rich carnival.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believes Lavra Joe can make it back-to-back wins at headquarters.
“Lavra Joe continues to impress while he adds to his impressive career record and strikes another small field this week,” Havercroft said. “For mine, it shapes as a race with only two winning chances, and I think his race-hardened fitness gives him an edge over Hampton Banner.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is a man who doesn’t mind waiting, with his best bet coming up in the last race on the program.
“You have to be patient but Bettorstartdreaming has found his perfect race,” Young said. “He should be aggressive and get the top here and his few runs back have been solid from back in the field. Looks a great opportunity for the bold frontrunner.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: Paraquet will appreciate a better draw and I expect driver Shannon Suvaljko to be aggressive at the start. This mare flies the gate and does her best work when leading. Looks a great each-way play.
PAT: My double comes up in race four with No. 1 Dont Bother Me None from the Bond stable. He is first-up after a spell but this is not a particularly strong field.
KEN: For value, I suggest Rupert Of Lincoln from the No. 1 barrier in race two. He has a losing sequence of 16, but his recent efforts have been full of merit. He looks set to fight out the finish on Friday night.
ERNIE: Arma Einstein was beaten at his past 10 starts for trainer Colin Brown, but there has been merit in the gelding’s two Gloucester Park placings this month. He had difficulty getting clear before securing an inside run to finish third last Friday night. The four-year-old should not be underrated despite having won only once in his last 14 appearances.
RYAN: Bettorstartdreaming is well drawn in the last and Lindsay Harper can have him in a striking position. Improving after three runs since a four-month break.
MATT: Arma Xfactor comes down in grade and the distance should suit. He could get out to a big price and I think he’s a great each-way chance to open the program.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
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