10 November 2022 | Wayne Currall
A top night of pacing is in store for harness racing fans at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
It’s the very popular Italian night with all the stalls and the fireworks after the last race, as well as 10 action-packed races featuring the James Brennan Memorial (2536m) and the Norms Daughter Classic (2130m).
The two features are Group 1 events with $100,000 in prizemoney for each race.
The members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have dodged the features when searching for their best bets on the program.
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can add to their banks early doors by supporting the favourite Prince Of Pleasure in the first.
“Prince Of Pleasure is an exciting prospect from the all-conquering stables of Gary Hall Sr,” Currall said. “This former Kiwi pacer has never tasted defeat in Australia and is adding a picket fence to his name. He’ll be deep in the red but can act as a banker for all-ups and the first leg of the early quaddie.”
Pat Harding, the perennial recipient of the longest-priced winner award in the Guild’s tipping competition, is trying to regain his past glory and has made outsider Rock Me Over his best for the meeting.
“Another interesting night at GP with a couple of big races and some short-priced favourites,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race two with No. 2 Rock Me Over. Had a win three starts ago and with a good barrier could give driver Chris Voak a good win.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is keen on Swagger Man in race seven.
“Swagger Man looks a talented type and could fly under the radar in this,” Young said. “He is a versatile horse and I think he can bounce back and win.”
Veteran journalist Ken Casellas and Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from the Sunday Times and The West Australian, have settled on Aussie Scooter as their star bet.
“After competing in mobile events at his first 36 starts, Aussie Scooter has excelled in stands at his past three appearances — for a second to Firerockfireroll, a win over stablemate Himself and a splendid second to Robbie Rocket last Friday night when he worked hard in the breeze and dashed over the final 400m sections in 28.5sec. and 28.1sec,” Casellas said. “Therefore he is a stand-out, no-risk best bet for me on Friday night when he begins from barrier one in race eight, a 2503m stand.”
And Manning agrees.
“Aussie Scooter has returned to form, scoring a win and two seconds, since a switch to stands three starts ago,” Manning said. “The four-year-old showed talent in two wins at consecutive appearances last September, but was beaten in his next three races. He ran second at Gloucester Park in his stand debut on October 21 and won a Pinjarra stand 10 days later. He finished second after facing the breeze in a stand last Friday night.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has opted for Manning (named after Ernie, who also is a major shareholder in the horse) as his star bet on a stellar night.
“Manning has the low draw and a class edge over his rivals in the final event,” Havercroft said. “The five-year-old son of Sportswriter is also third up for this assignment so looks to have plenty going for him. He has won from in front or the breeze in the past and he should be right there on the pace and should be too good.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: Will I Rocknroll loves the pegs and he’s drawn to run a cheeky race in race four. He’ll probably be the longest-priced of the three Hall runners but shouldn’t be underestimated.
PAT: My double comes up in race three with No. 3 Fanci A Dance. I think Chris Voak can make it two wins in a row. The horse has been very consistent and is due for another win.
MATT: Blitzembye just needs some luck, but form is solid and with normal racing luck he can win.
KEN: For value, I suggest To Fast To Serious from barrier three in the James Brennan Memorial in which he looks quite a serious threat to Magnificent Storm. His was a splendid effort in the Navy Cup last Friday week when he thundered home to finish third behind Gambit and Magnificent Storm.
ERNIE: Seeryanfly, a winner at his first four starts after a transfer to trainer Dylan Egerton-Green early this year, is expected to show a glimpse of top form when racing second-up. The gelding, who was spelled after two unplaced runs in winter, finished an eye-catching sixth last Friday night.
RYAN: Gary Hall Jr has opted to drive The Mustang over Finvarra, who has been flying of late. On that basis you’d have to think The Mustang can topple nominal favourite Finvarra.
Click Here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week
Good punting and don’t forget the fireworks after the last.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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