20 July 2023 | Wayne Currall
Champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr has a great book of drives at Friday night’s Gloucester Park meeting.
Hall Jr will be carrying many punters’ hopes on the nine-event card, with several of his drives likely to be sent out as favourites.
Interestingly though, not one of the members from the WA Trotting Media Guild have chosen any of Hall’s drives as their best bet.
TABradio’s Matt Young believes punters can add to their banks early doors by supporting Skylord in race two.
“Skylord is a very good three-year-old and I think he can be driven tough on Friday and come out too strong and turn a couple of heads,” Young said. “Keen on the locally bred pacer to get the job done.”
Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator at The West Australian, is keen on American Arma in race three.
“American Arma hasn’t won in 15 starts, but looks to be close to breaking through after finishing runner-up at three of her last five runs,” Havercroft said. “The draw should see the daughter of American Ideal roll to the top and break the losing sequence.”
Veteran tipster Pat Harding has made Tenzing Bromac his best for the evening.
“Small fields still the order of the day at GP, which is making tipping tough for all concerned,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race four with the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Tenzing Bromac coming out of barrier three. A class horse who ran a first-up third from a spell and could easily win in this small field.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is in the corner of Xceptional Arma in race seven.
“The Colin Brown-trained filly is having her first start since an unsuccessful campaign in the east,” Currall said. “Prior to her eighth in the APG 2YO Fillies Final at Menagle in April, Xceptional Arma posted back-to-back wins at headquarters. She’s only had the seven starts for three wins and three seconds. Can win first-up.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas and Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, have settled on Steel The Show as their best.
“Steel The Show is a rising star and he is my best bet to win at his first appearance in a stand in WA when he begins from 10m in the Team Bond Handicap,” Casellas said. “He impressed last Friday night when he resumed after a three-month absence with a splendid frontrunning display to win a 2536m mobile from The Mustang and Galactic Star. He is a seasoned standing-start performer in New Zealand with two wins.”
And Manning agrees.
“Kiwi import Steel The Show will be a top WA Pacing Cup contender in November, judging by his impressive first-up win last Friday night,” Manning said. “The gelding, who showed class when finishing fourth in the $1 million Nullarbor last April, should not be troubled by his switch to a standing start this week. He has won twice from a stand and looks set to further boost his WA record, featuring victories at five of seven Gloucester Park starts.”
VALUE BETS
MATT: Beat City is going really well. He needs some luck but will be powering home and stands as the best each-way of the night.
RYAN: Onesmartfella continues to race consistently and can fill the placings again at an each-way quote.
PAT: My double comes up in race two with No. 6 Skylord. Had an impressive win last week and should repeat the dose.
WAYNE: I’m jumping in early on Friday night and having a go at the quinella in the first – High Price and Peligroso. Hey, it won’t pay a bomb but a winner’s a winner.
KEN: For value, I suggest Onesmartfella in race six in which he has the ability to overcome the awkward barrier at No. 7 and fight out the finish.
ERNIE: The Colin Brown-trained Fifty Five Reborn is shaping to bounce back after winning only once in her past 25 starts. Currently on a 12-run losing streak, she drew attention when a second-up third last Friday night. The mare possesses plenty of ability, having won 14 races at headquarters.
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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