15 December 2022 | Wayne Currall
The $200,000 Group 1 Retravision Golden Nugget (2536m) highlights a bumper 11-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
And what a race it promises to be.
Only one member of the WA Trotting Media Guild – veteran tipster Pat Harding – has been bold enough to make his best bet in the feature.
“Could be a fascinating night at GP this Friday with barrier one likely to feature,” Harding said. “And it could be an interesting tussle between the Bond and Hall camps. My best bet comes up in race five the Golden Nugget with No. 4 Lavra Joe. Ran a good fourth last week and is poised to pounce in this big event.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas, TABradio’s Matt Young and Guild president Wayne Currall have all settled on Stamford as their best for the evening.
“Stamford is race fit after nine runs in his current campaign, and this should prove a decisive factor in his battle with Sugar Street in race two on Friday night,” Casellas said. “Sugar Street was back in action with a splendid first-up win a fortnight ago. However, Stamford’s superior fitness and the advantage of starting from the No. 1 barrier, with Sugar Street at barrier two, has prompted me to make Stamford my best bet for the night, particularly after his excellent fourth behind Lavra Joe in a Group 2 event three starts ago and his unlucky last-start seventh behind Pinny Tiger in the Four-Year-Old Classic.”
And Young agrees.
“Stamford has the perfect draw and although last time he hurt me, I feel like we will be rewarded for loyalty,” Young said. “Should be winning here.”
And Currall makes it a hat-trick of ticks.
“The Ray Williams team has been on fire of late and I’m tipping that run will continue with Stamford on Friday night,” Currall said. “Aldo Cortopassi should be able to take up the frontrunning with Stamford from his inside alley and from there he’s the one they all have to get over.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and the Sunday Times, is keen on Prince Of Pleasure in race four.
“New Zealand import Prince Of Pleasure gets his chance for a return to the winners’ list now that he drops in class and has gate two,” Manning said. “The gelding had little hope after drawing barrier nine in last Friday night’s Village Kid Sprint and he can be excused for finishing sixth. He had been caught three-wide after starting from gate six and ran a creditable second two weeks ago. The five-year-old won at his first seven WA starts for trainer Gary Hall Snr.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has opted for Strike Team in race 10 as his star bet.
“Strike Team resumes from a nine-month spell after a campaign that saw three wins and three placings from 10 starts, mainly in provincial company which included running second to Lavra Joe in the Country Derby,” Havercroft said. “Though there is no trial form to gauge his readiness for this assignment, the barrier draw favours the son of Mach Three and the majority of his rivals here are struggling for form.”
TABradio’s Hayden King is a patient young man and has kept his powder dry until race 11.
“Skylord has the class edge in the final race,” King said. “He’s fast and strong; the complete package of horseflesh. A return to racing showing a semblance of his best should do the job.”
VALUE BETS
PAT: My double comes up in race three with No. 8 Eighteen Carat. Has some great credentials with three wins and two seconds in her last five outings and I think she can give punters a good win.
KEN: For value, I suggest Machnificent in the Golden Nugget, despite him starting from the outside of the back line. He possesses a sizzling late sprint, and he should be storming home.
MATT: Classic Choice has a tough draw but not in an overly strong race. I can see him going close in this race at odds.
WAYNE: On a night where it’s hard to find any value, I’m opting for an all-up. Stamford into Eighteen Carat into Prince Of Pleasure.
ERNIE: The Barry Howlett-trained Just For Love has been beaten at her past 26 starts, but she will start from gate two this week and is capable of breaking through for a win. She ran an eye-catching third after drawing barrier eight last Friday night. Early in her career, she won the Gold Bracelet, a Sales Classic and the South West Derby.
RYAN: The Golden Nugget is a cracking field and capable horses will go around at exorbitant odds. I’m thinking a hot pace might suit the likes of Tenzing Bromac, who endured checkered runs in the 4YO Championship and the 4YO Classic prior to a last-start success.
HAYDEN: Finvarra’s price has already been devoured to a third of what was tantalisingly offered. From the front, he would give a very bold sight indeed and I think he can supply Maddison Brown with a second G1.
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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