09 February 2023 | Wayne Currall
Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park features the running of the $50,000 The Laurie Kennedy F&M FFA (1730m).
The Group 3 event has attracted a top field of mares and the random barrier draw has thrown the race wide open.
However, members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have looked elsewhere when choosing their best bets on the nine-event card.
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas and Guild president Wayne Currall believe punters can line their pockets early doors by supporting the returning Street Hawk in the first.
“Deni Roberts should celebrate her first drive behind classy gelding Street Hawk by guiding him to victory in the opening event at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he is favourably drawn at barrier two,” Casellas said. “Street Hawk, making his first appearance after a spell and having his first start as a four-year-old, has won first-up three times in his career, giving me the confidence to make him my best bet.”
And Currall agrees.
“The Greg and Skye Bond-trained Street Hawk strikes a winnable race at his first start back after a three-month spell,” Currall said. “He won his first five races in WA after coming over from New Zealand. He then raced in top three-year-old company before being tipped out for a break. Should prove too classy for this field.”
Veteran tipster Pat Harding is keen on Know When To Run in the second.
“Looks like another tough night at GP – a few short prices and I suspect the odd longshot might get up,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race two with No. 3 Know When To Run. While he doesn’t have a great deal of form, he is overdue for a win and Emily Suvaljko might be the driver to do it.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, has opted for the consistent Valentines Brook as his star bet.
“Valentines Brook, who was transferred to trainer Jocelyn Young’s stable last year, impressively completed a Gloucester Park winning hat-trick at his most recent three starts and continues to improve,” Manning said. “The six-year-old twice scored by convincing margins, then was explosive when he led and sprinted more than 20m clear two weeks ago.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on newcomer Raven Banner in the standing-start race.
“Raven Banner has not been seen in local trials, but his six New Zealand wins indicate the son of Bettors Delight has his share of ability,” Havercroft said. “Was placed at three of his last four starts, all of those behind the strands so I would expect him to handle standing-start conditions for his first local start.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has left his best until the last race on the program.
“August Moon burnt up the trial track in a recent win and looks ideally placed on return to get the victory,” Young said.
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Twobob Cracker in race two. He has a losing sequence of 13, but his recent efforts have been most encouraging. He caught the eye last Friday night when he finished strongly from eighth at the bell to be fourth behind Mirragon.
WAYNE: Sunshine Swift should be at peak fitness following three runs after a spell. Has drawn the pole and can run a cheeky race at each-way odds.
PAT: My double comes up in race eight with No. 5 Carrera Mach. He has been knocking on the door and is ready to win.
ERNIE: Shadow Roll last won more than a year ago and has a 16-run losing sequence. But he is again showing glimpses of form that has enabled him to win 13 races, including seven at Gloucester Park. He ran fifth after facing the breeze on January 20 and finished third last Friday night.
RYAN: Bettorstartdreaming turned around some modest form last time out when leading all the way in easier company. A favourable draw should see him settle near the pace at an each-way quote.
MATT: Vivere Damore is third up from a freshen up and hit the line well last run. She has the ability to lead and give them some cheek in the mares feature.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
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