22 June 2023 | Wayne Currall
Champion mare Wonderful To Fly looks likely to add to her picket fence at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Shane Young-trained and driven four-year-old came up with the ace in the Group 3 Kerry Clarke Pace (2130m) at headquarters and will go around as a long odds-on favourite.
The $50,000 feature seems to be at the mercy of this brilliant pacer.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild all believe Wonderful To Fly will lead all the way and post her 27th career victory, but have looked elsewhere when settling on their best bets for the nine-event card.
Three members – award-winning journalist Ken Casellas, TABradio’s Matt Young, who found seven winners last Friday night, and Guild president Wayne Currall – all believe Classic Choice can record an all-the-way win in race two.
“Classic Choice has been forced to do all the hard work in the breeze after beginning from wide barriers at several recent starts,” Casellas said. “But he should relish the favourable draw at No. 2 in the second event on Friday night. Therefore, he is my best bet on the program.”
Young agrees.
“Classic Choice gets the perfect draw and looks like the leader and winner,” Young said. “The Barry Howlett-trained gelding has been awaiting a chance to lead and I think he will flex his muscles on Friday.”
Currall is singing from the same hymn sheet as his two colleagues.
“Champion reinsman Chris Lewis will be keen to take up the early running with Classic Choice,” Currall said. “From there he’s the one they all have to get over. He looks like a banker for all-ups and the second leg of the early quaddie. Go you good thing.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, has settled on Sahara Storm as his best bet.
“Five-year-old Sahara Storm would be one of the rare cases of a horse shaping to be a best-bet prospect after running unplaced at her past seven starts,” Manning said. “But the mare, who has not won in her latest 15 races, impressed when fourth at Gloucester Park last Friday night. She has gradually regained form in four starts since a transfer to trainer Jocelyn Young and barrier one will be a key advantage.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Vintage Blu in race eight. He has won only once from his past 28 starts, but he will pay to follow after solid placings at his past two outings. He has the gate speed to lead this week and should take plenty of catching.
MATT: Run For Mercy loves the mile and there looks like there could be a genuine tempo. Will be running on well.
WAYNE: On a night where it’s hard to identify much value, I’m opting for an all-up of polemarkers. Mister Smartee into Wonderful To Fly, into Mighthavtime, into Prince Of Pleasure and finishing with Sahara Storm. All short, but I’m hoping all leading and winning.
ERNIE: The Sonia Zucchiatti-trained American Bullitt, who has won once in his past 25 starts, looks a value wager. He drew barrier one, but is likely to be at generous quotes after only three wins from 69 races at headquarters. He ran an eye-catching third last Friday night.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
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