06 July 2023 | Wayne Currall
The GPHR Westbred Winter 4YO & 5YO Restricted Classic (2130m) is a the feature event on Friday night’s 11-event card at Gloucester Park.
And two members of the WA Trotting Media Guild – award-winning journalist Ken Casellas and TABradio’s Matt Young – have settled on Faster Than Dad in the $30,000 feature as their best bet.
“Faster Than Dad is sure to appreciate a considerable drop in class when he begins from the No. 1 barrier in the GPHR Westbred Winter Classic on Friday night,” Casellas said. “And he is my best bet to score an all-the-way victory for trainer Michael George and driver Gary Hall Jr. His was an excellent effort last Friday night when he ran on from last in the field of five at the bell to finish third behind Mighty Conqueror and Patronus Star.”
And Young agrees.
“Faster Than Dad is low flying and has the draw, should lead and looks the winner to me in the Westbred feature on Friday night,” Young said.
Veteran tipster Pat Harding believes punters can line their pockets early doors by supporting Peter Petrify in the first race.
“Another fascinating night at GP where horses drawn barrier one are likely to feature strongly,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race one with the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Peter Petrify. Ran a good fourth last week and should be well suited to win with from barrier three.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is keen on Mea Culpa in the second event.
“Mea Culpa has been about the place at his past few starts,” Currall said. “There’s no better judge of pace that Kyle Harper and he is certain to be looking for an all-the-way victory from the pole on Mea Culpa.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, has made The Mustang his star bet fore the evening.
“Barrier one will give The Mustang strong prospects for a return to the winners’ list after being beaten at his past eight starts,” Manning said. “The gelding has 20 victories to his credit, including five at Gloucester Park. He impressed when running third at headquarters on the past two Friday nights.”
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator at The West Australian, has opted for another polemarker as his best.
“On a night where many runners drawn the inside represent strong winning chances, I have made Peligroso my best,” Havercroft said. “The Ryan Bell-trained gelding resumed last week with an all-the-way victory here and Kyle Symington is sure to want to try and lead again over the sprint trip.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Cheer The Major in race one. He has the required gate sped to lead, and if he does he will make life tough for Watching Our Coin, Peter Petrify and Eton Rock.
MATT: Cloud Nine hasn’t had much luck and faces a tricky task from 12 over a mile, but I think he is worth an each-way play in this class of race.
PAT: My double comes up in race seven with No. 5 Hotfoot it. He’s been about the place in recent races and is due for a win.
WAYNE: Despite bombing out with my all-ups at the past two meetings, I’m sticking fat. All polemarkers, all leading and, hopefully, all winning. Finvarra, into Faster Than Dad and finishing with Fly To Fame. The Fabulous “Fs” = First.
ERNIE: Three-year-old Jackie Daniels is better than statistics suggest, after one win from her past 24 starts. She has won only twice in 32 races and once in 20 Gloucester Park appearances. But recent Northam and city placings indicate another victory is close. She was blocked for a run when seventh last Friday night.
RYAN: I am a fan of Alcippes Delight and her recent efforts hint that she mightn’t be too far away from her form of a year ago.
Click Here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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