12 March 2020 | Wayne Currall
The Group 2 $50,000 4YO & 5YO Championship highlights a stellar night of pacing at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
And three members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have marked Shockwave down as their best bet in the feature on a bumper 11-event card.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, TABradio’s form analyst Hayden King and Radio Great Southern’s form expert Warren Wishart have all made Shockwave their best bet.
“Shockwave proved his class when winning the $200,000 Golden Nugget as favourite last December, before he was out of luck in the major cups,” Manning said. ”He ran sixth after covering extra ground in the Fremantle Cup, ahead of locking wheels when it appeared he was looming to win the WA Pacing Cup. The four-year-old looked forward when winning a trial by almost 20m last Sunday.“
King agrees.
“Shockwave has the barrier and was desperately unlucky in the Pacing Cup,” King said. “He has had a little time off but now fresh he is back and ready to strike.”
Wishart rounds our the trifecta.
“I’m keeping it simple this week with Shockwave,” Wishart said. “Nugget winner who would have gone close to winning the WA Pacing Cup but for locking wheels late. When the best horse draws the pole it invariably wins.”
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas has found one at a price as his star bet.
“Young trainer Joshua Dunn’s sprightly 11-year-old Oneonthewood continues to race with youthful enthusiasm and I’m making the old gelding my special in the standing start event on Friday night,” Casellas said. “He produced an eye-catching performance on Tuesday evening when he was 11th and about seven lengths from the leader Bettor Be Oscar with 300m to travel before charging home out six wide to finish fifth. He can overcome the 20m handicap on Friday night and record win No.27 at his 222nd start.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is, however, at odds with Casellas and has made Always An Honour his best bet in the same race.
“Always An Honour seems to show his best form under standing start conditions with all of his six wins this season coming from behind the strands,” Havercroft said. “He made an early mistake last week which saw him settle too far back to be a threat but will be looking to sit closer this Friday.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has urged punters to keep their powder dry until the last race on the program.
“The standout for me comes up in the last race with No.3 Black Jack Baby,” Harding said. “With three wins from three starts, this two-year-old looks set for a big future. Add Chris Voak aboard and you have the perfect combination to end the night on a winning note.”
Guild president Wayne Currall has gone the other way and believes punters can add to their bank early doors by supporting My Carbon Copy in the open wing event.
“Stuart McDonald should have My Carbon Copy in a lot handier position than he did last week when he finished a gallant fourth to stablemate Sir Galahad,” Currall said. “My Carbon Copy came from last at the 800m and was pushed four and five wide, but still managed to make ground in a quick 56.9. He can sprint over the top of them at the business end of proceedings.”
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: On My Oath has not won in 31 starts since his Williams success 14 months ago. But he looked ready to break through when a Pinjarra placegetter twice this month. He has won three Gloucester Park races.
HAYDEN: Over Loaded was heavily backed here last time and came up just short. I am confident he can find the front and go one better.
WARREN: The race shape appears better for Sergeant Oats on Friday night and I think he will settle closer from a low draw not having to work. Is capable of a strong finish on his night and should be at each-way odds.
KEN: For value, I suggest Saleahs Comand, who is capable of setting the pace over the 2130m and holding on to defeat some better-fancied rivals in race seven.
RYAN: Mister Bushido is drawn behind the likely leader You Gotta Have Faith and should be poised to strike upon straightening and break a nine-start losing sequence.
PAT: My value bet comes up in Race 3 with No.2 Ona Happy Note. While the horse doesn’t have a great deal of form, I think Lauren Jones can get the best out of her for trainer Michael Brennan.
WAYNE: The consistent Lord Rosco is drawn to get the run of the race behind likely leader Saleahs Command in the seventh. He can surprise at odds.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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