26 August 2021 | Wayne Currall
It’s a bit of a mixed bag from the members of the WA Trotting Media Guild as far as best bets go at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Although, The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and longshot guru Pat Harding are keen on the chances of Star Of Diamonds in the night’s standing-start event.
“Talented four-year-old Star Of Diamonds has the class to overcome a 20m handicap and she can maintain her perfect record in standing starts,” Manning said. “The mare was a Race For Roses winner last April in her only stand appearance. Trainer Barry Howlett spelled the four-year-old after her $50,000 Breeders’ Stakes victory a week later. She has a tally of six wins, four seconds and a third from her past 11 starts.”
And Harding agrees.
“Should be a good night this Friday at GP with some well-fancied favourites, but not too many short prices,” Harding said.
“My best bet comes up in race eight with No. 7 Star Of Diamonds. She has a great record and with only a small field Chris Voak could drive her to another victory.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas believes Manning can break back into the winners’ list.
“Manning is sure to have derived considerable benefit from his first-up eighth behind Medieval Man a fortnight ago and he makes strong appeal as the leader in race two, the Channel 7 Pace on Friday night,” Casellas said. “He will start from the No. 2 barrier and I am making him my best bet, with Maddison Brown able to hold out an expected early challenge from Tyler Brett and then being able to dictate terms in front.”
TABradio’s Hayden King has opted for the returning Born To Boogie as his star bet on the 10-event card.
“Born To Boogie is bouncing with class and should return a winner in the mares event,” King said. “Voak should shimmy his way into the clear early and her class should mean she wins in a waltz.”
But King’s colleague at TABradio, Matt Young, sees a different outcome.
“Alta Louisa looks very well suited in the mares feature on Friday night,” Young said. “There looks to be plenty of early speed and I envisage Gary Hall Jr working around when the tempo backs off and from there the quality mare trained by Justin Prentice can win.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is optimistic former South Australian pacer Whatabro can open his winning account in the west in race seven.
“Whatabro looked to have plenty to offer when held-up last week here behind Our Star Watch,” Havercroft said. “The Michael Brennan-trained four-year-old has not run a bad race since arriving from South Australia and looks very close to breaking through for a win.”
Media Guild president Wayne Currall is confident Vampiro can continue on his winning ways.
“Vampiro has returned to racing in terrific form,” Currall said. “His speed out of the machine is second to none and I can see Dylan Egerton-Green ‘putting the handlebars down’ at the start of the sprint and charging to the front. From there, his eight rivals will have their work cut out to catch him.”
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: The Verandah has won only once in his past 37 starts and was beaten in his past 10 appearances. But the Chris Willis-trained gelding possesses ability and has won three Gloucester Park races. There was merit in his sixth when he contested a strong form race two starts ago. Alta Intrigue won that event from Just Makemine Diamonds.
PAT: My double comes up in race two with No. 2 Manning, named after our colleague Ernie Manning. He hasn’t had a great deal of luck in recent outings, but is well placed to record a much-needed victory.
KEN: For value I suggest eight-year-old Fanci A Dance in race three. He is tough and talented and should run a super race first-up.
HAYDEN: Euphoric Moment is notably inconsistent with his gate speed, meaning the earnest Manning could cross. If Manning does lead, he could rebound to some of his best form. He was finding the line last start.
MATT: Pierre Whitby is always some value and in start 100 it wouldn’t surprise me to see him get the prize.
RYAN: Whoswhointhezoo looks an enticing place prospect, having drawn to sit on See Ya Write who will be fancied. Should get the perfect run.
WAYNE: The last time Be Seventeen drew the pole at headquarters he defeated Valbonne. That form reference speaks wonders for his chances of posting an all-the-way victory in the last. Load up punters.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
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