11 June 2020 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have come up with a variety of best bets for Friday night’s excellent card at Gloucester Park.
The night features the running of the $100,000 Group 1 2YO Pearl Classic Final (2130m) and has brought together a top-class field of youngsters.
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart and The West Australian’s Ernie Manning are keen on Bettor Be Oscar in the fourth event.
“I expect Bettor Be Oscar to go well here by virtue of the favourable draw,” Wishart said. “He has enough speed to hold the lead and I just can’t see him being beaten.”
Manning agrees with Wishart’s assessment of the race.
“Barrier one should be a key advantage to Bettor Be Oscar, who ran second after going back to the rear from gate six last Friday night,” Manning said. “A member of the in-form Andrew De Campo stable, he has won 13 races, including seven at Gloucester Park.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can line their pockets early doors by supporting Boom Time in the opening event.
“Chris Voak – the man in the pink cart – should fire Boom Time straight to the top from the pole and dictate terms in front,” Currall said. “Boom Time can cut out some slick quarters and I’m confident he can hold his rivals at bay in the run to the line.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has made Robbie Easton his best bet for the night.
“Robbie Easton has made a solid return and looks well placed over the longer trip,” Young said. “His form has been good and he can do work. This looks his race on paper.”
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas has opted for My Prayer as his star bet.
“My Prayer did not see daylight until very late in the race when she flashed home to finish a neck second to stablemate Dancing With Mach last week,” Casellas said. “It promises to be a different story this week when she begins from the No. 1 barrier in race nine on Friday night. The Barry Howlett-trained mare is a splendid frontrunner and I’m making her my best bet to lead and win from the talented Mandy Joan.”
However, that’s not how the script goes, according to TABradio’s Hayden King, who is leading the Media Guild’s tipping competition.
“Mandy Joan really does stand out on Friday night,” King said. “She has been racing extremely well and finally gets a barrier she can work with. She should outclass them.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believes The Bird Dance can bring up his hat-trick on Friday night.
“The Bird Dance looks the one to beat in a small field,” Havercroft said. “The Greg and Skye Bond-trained gelding has been ultra-consistent since arriving in WA and if he finds the front he would be hard to get past. If he doesn’t, I still think he can sit outside Talkerup and get the job done.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding, who led the field with six winners from last week’s meeting, is banking on squaregaiter Lord Liam as his best.
“Should be another fascinating night of harness racing at GP this Friday night with not a large number of standouts,” Harding said. “As a result, my best bet comes up in the last race of the night – the mobile trot race over 2536 metres. For me, the most consistent horse in the race is No. 6 Lord Liam. His form before a spell was most encouraging and with trainer Bob Mellsop aboard I think he can bring home the cash in a small field.“
VALUE BETS
WARREN: I still think Lavra Joe is right up there as far as two-year-olds go. With his draw driver Chris Lewis can control this race from either in front or the breeze. I’m loving the indicative price of $18 and I’m expecting a stampede from punters when that price becomes available.
ERNIE: Victorian import Pinny Tiger is capable of running a big race against strong opposition. He was placed twice in three interstate starts and impressed when second at his WA debut.
WAYNE: Alta Rhett is drawn to get a lovely run behind likely leader Boom Time in the first race. I don’t think he can beat the favourite, but he looks a sound place chance.
MATT: Mattjestic Star was eye catching first-up and looks a suitable race where he could bob up. Worth a play at bigger odds.
KEN: For value, I suggest Madame Meilland from the awkward barrier No. 6 in the 2536m TABtouch Pace. It is not a particularly strong field and I expect Madame Meilland to be storming home and figuring strongly in the finish.
HAYDEN: Tuas Delight might be able to work past Mcardles Gem early. Mcardles Gem has been known to take a sit and Tuas Delight will relish the role of pacemaker and become very hard to beat.
RYAN: If Lavra Joe starts anything like the RWWA indicative price of $18 I will be smashing my piggy bank and running to my recently re-opened TAB outlet. He’s drawn well and up to this assignment.
PAT: My value bet of the night comes up in race two with No. 6 Madame Meilland. She has her best draw for a while and I think she can prevail over the 2536 metre journey at a good price for punters.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting from home.
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