by Wayne Currall
Jack Mac, Just Bet On Black, Galactic Star and Military Master have been earmarked as best bets by members of the WA Trotting Media Guild for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
Exciting two-year-old Jack Mac impressed the media boys when he won on debut at Bunbury last Saturday night, Just Bet On Black will be shooting for six in a row, while Galactic Star and Military Master both have hat-tricks in sight.
Leading tipster Stuart Lowe, who backed up his six winners from the previous week with another six last week, is a fan of Jack Mac.
“The former Kiwi had a very easy win over a mile at Bunbury last week,” Lowe said. “He tramped three wide throughout, before winning in 1.55.5. Looks to have a big edge on his rivals here.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning agrees with Lowe.
“Jack Mac produced one of the best WA debuts seen this year when he won by almost 20m,” Manning said. “The Barry Howlett-trained colt is obviously thriving in his new environment. Appears to have a big future.”
Guild president Wayne Currall, who matched Lowe’s six winners last week, is in the Jack Mac camp as well.
“The horse showed toughness and brilliance on debut,” Currall said. “With champion reinsman Chris Lewis in the bike and from gate three he should be winning.”
Sunday Times columnist Robbie Dewar and TABform’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believe Military Master is the best bet on the program.
“Military Master destroyed his rivals last week,” Dewar said. “He’s got gate three tonight and should produce a similar result – no fancy price but should be winning.”
Havercroft says if punters can keep their powder dry until the last, Military Master looks well placed to bring up a hat-trick of wins.
“He followed up a tough Narrogin victory with a decisive 22m win over a more talented line-up last Friday,” Havercroft said.
On-course announcer Ken Casellas, who also finished with six winners last week, has opted for Galactic Star as his best.
“Versatility is a vital ingredient in the make-up of a top-flight pacer, and it is this asset which helps Galactic Star stand out,” Casellas said. “He’s my best bet for the night.”
Longshot king Pat Harding is a Just Bet On Black fan.
“Just Bet On Black has an impressive record and coming out of gate one with Maddison Brown aboard he should lead from start to finish,” Harding said.
“My value bet for the night is Walkabout Creek. I think he’s a good each-way bet in what is a pretty evenly balanced race.”
Lowe has opted for Vultan Tin as his best value.
“He’s racing in brilliant form with three wins and two seconds from his last five runs,” Lowe said. “He overcame a hard run to win the Narrogin Cup last start. Although badly drawn here, he is a tough type who has the class to go close.”
Manning believes there’s value around classy mare Foxy Dame.
“She should be suited in mares’ company at her return to the mobile,” Manning said. “The five-year-old galloped away when making a standing-start debut last Friday night and her unplaced run can be ignored.”
Currall is at odds with Manning, selecting Alfa Queen as his best outsider in the same race as Foxy Dame.
“This is Alfa Queen’s best draw in some time,” Currall said. “She recorded an all-the-way victory from an inside draw earlier this year and could get out to a silly price.”
Dewar and Havercroft are on the same page, with both selecting Cott Beach to bounce back after her last-start defeat.
“Punters may be wise to disregard Cott Beach’s fourth at Bunbury,” Dewar said. “She won four in a row prior to that and could be each-way value.”
Havercroft agrees, saying Cott Beach had excuses for her run at Bunbury.
“She should return to the winners’ list in the 2YO Fillies Western Crown.”
Casellas likes Red Hot Major in the opening event.
“This horse is racing with abundant enthusiasm and the gelding makes good appeal as a sound value bet,” Casellas said.
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