11 January 2024 | Wayne Currall
An unusual set of circumstances for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
The six members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have agreed with a fellow member on their best bets.
Last season’s leading tipster Matt Young and runner-up Ken Casellas have made the consistent Three Rumours their best bet on the eight-race card.
“Three Rumours is racing in wonderful form and she looks the superior stayer in this event and should go very close,” Young said. “I’m pretty keen on the big mare to return to the winners’ list.”
And Casellas agrees.
“Three Rumours to turn the tables on Rumour Has It when the six-year-old mares clash in the fourth event on Friday night.” Casellas said. “Rumour Has It set the pace and held on to beat Three Rumours by a half-head last Friday night, and now I’m making Three Rumours my best bet this week because I consider she will prove just too tough for her rival.”
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator at The West Australian, and Guild president Wayne Currall believe Lucca can break a frustrating run of outs.
“I have found Lucca hard to catch and he looked sure to breakthrough last week before being collared on the line by All Is Well,” Havercroft said. “This looks no harder and from the inside barrier surely this is the week for the Bill Hayes-trained gelding.”
Currall is singing from the same hymn sheet.
“Lucca was game in defeat last week,” Currall said. “Trainer-driver Bill Hayes should be able to hold the top from the inside and Lucca appeals as the one they all have to get over.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, and longshot guru Pat Harding are keen on Machnificent.
“Talented six-year-old Machnificent, who has impressed in three wins at Gloucester Park from his last five starts, gets the chance to score again after drawing the pole,” Manning said. “Barrier eight was against him when he stepped up in class and finished fifth two weeks ago. The horse, from in-form trainer Kat Warwick’s stable, has won 11 races at headquarters.”
Harding sees the race unfolding the same way.
“Another tough night at GP with some small fields,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race five with No.1 Machnificent. Has a great record and from his position should lead from barrier to box.”
VALUE BETS
MATT: Goodfellaz could be suited if the pace is on and he is a very good horse in his own right. Could fly under the radar.
KEN: Spring Line’s splendid gate speed should ensure he enjoys a favourable forward position in race one, and he has the ability to fight out the finish in what appears a pretty open affair.
RYAN: Queeninthecorner has the speed to hold up if they choose and represents an each-way play from a favourable draw.
WAYNE: My three-leg multi saluted last week, so I’m having another throw at the stumps. Why not go with the Guild’s three best bets – Lucca into Three Rumours and Machnificent bringing it home. Go you good things!
ERNIE: Former quality youngster Otis has been freshened since an eighth four weeks ago and he gets the chance to break an eight-race losing streak. He won five races in a successful streak during 2020-21 and is much better than suggested by unplaced runs at his past six appearances. The six-year-old, a winner of eight Gloucester Park events, should not be underrated.
PAT: My double comes up in race eight with No. 5 Rupert Of Lincoln. I think Chris Voak can guide him to another win.
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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