29 December 2022 | Wayne Currall
Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park features a free-for-all event that is shaping up to be a mini rehearsal for the two big cups later in January.
And one brave man from the WA Trotting Media Guild – award-winning journalist Ken Casellas – has selected this race in which to make his best bet.
“Prince Of Pleasure is an up-and-coming star, and I’m making him my best bet, despite starting from the outside of the back line,” Casellas said. “I’m backing him to enjoy the 2536m journey and to unleash a powerful finishing burst in race four.”
Guild president Wayne Currall has landed on Himself as his best for the evening.
“Himself was awesome in his Golden Nugget victory a fortnight ago,” Currall said. “I’m tipping driver Dylan Egerton-Green will rev him up at the start to hold the lead and from there he’s the one they all have to beat.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on Moonlite Drive in race six.
“Moonlite Drive never got clear last week in the Christmas Gift so would have taken no harm from the run,” Havercroft said. “Prior form was consistent and the conditions favour him this week, drawing the inside barrier in a small field where he should bounce back to form.”
TABradio’s Matt Young and Hayden King have declared Alta Queen as their best for the night.
“Alta Queen has come back really well and has gate speed,” Young said. “I expect her to hit the rail and keep them chasing. I thought she was a magnificent best bet on the program.”
And King agrees with his colleague.
“Alta Queen possesses early dash and could whiz her way to an early lead,” King said. “From there, this Queen will not easily be dethroned.”
Veteran tipster Pat Harding has made his best bet in the night’s standing-start event.
“It’s been a tough year for both punters and tipsters and hopefully we can go out on a high note,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race eight with No. 4 Strauny. Ran a creditable third last week on the back of two wins and I think he can end the year with a good win,”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and The Sunday Times, is in the corner of Leosabi in race nine.
“Barrier one should give Leosabi his chance to re-enter the winners’ list,” Manning said. “A Pinjarra second has been the only placing from his past six starts, but he impressed in a string of WA wins after arriving from Melbourne last year. He looked ready to win again when finishing fourth after a wide run last Friday night.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Nevermindthechaos in the Coulson Pace. She has drawn the outside barrier, but has the class to overcome this major disadvantage. I’m sure she will improve dramatically on her first-up 12th at $71 last week when she failed to obtain a clear run in the final circuit.
WAYNE: It was hard to miss the run of Master Yossi a fortnight ago when he was resuming from a three-month break. Should have derived plenty of benefit from that outing and will appreciate the small field. Each-way all day.
RYAN: Vampiro is first-up for almost a year but is drawn to be on pace and should be thereabouts. No trial this preparation but will be aimed at features next month.
MATT: Nevermindthechaos could be forgotten about here. Her first-up run was solid and looks to be adequate pace to bring her right into the race.
HAYDEN: Nevermindthechaos – strange name, serious horse. Despite drawing in the river and being first-up, her undeniable class could see her still win. She will ruffle the feathers of a few hardened rivals.
PAT: My double comes up in race nine with No. 4 Athabascan. Certainly due for a change of luck and this could be the race for Debra and Chris Lewis to give them a good New Year’s present.
ERNIE: Vulcan Star showed big potential with victories in past campaigns and must be considered despite not having won from seven starts since a spell. He revealed some of his earlier dash when running on last Friday night to finish third.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting and on behalf of all the members of the WA Trotting Media Guild, have a Healthy, Happy, Safe and Prosperous New Year.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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