12 September 2019 | Wayne Currall
Before we launch into this week’s best bets from members of the WA Trotting Media Guild for Friday night at Gloucester Park, special congratulations should go out to TABradio’s racecaller Matt Young.
Young, who recently won the Guild’s top tipster award for the second year running, realised a dream of every tipster when he tipped the card at last Saturday’s eight-race program at Bunbury.
A $10 all-up wager on Young’s eight winners would have netted almost $500.
Guild newcomer Warren Wishart, the former RWWA chief handicapper, opened his tipping debut in style with six winners, including his best bet and best value selection.
Wishart believes Ocean Ridge can bounce back from his last-start defeat as an odds-on favourite.
“Ocean Ridge is a high-class horse and is beautifully drawn in gate two,” Wishart said. “He should control things from the front and be too good for these.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft, who set the bar high for the other Guild members with eight winners on the firs night of the new season, is keen on Kingslayer.
“Kingslayer has been impressive at his three local starts, all of those victories under standing-start conditions,” Havercroft said. “If he steps safely he should be saluting in a modest Friday night field.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is also a fan of Kingslayer.
“My best bet comes up in race seven with No. 3 Kingslayer for Greg and Skye Bond,” Harding said. “With three wins in a row, he is ideally placed to make it four and I suspect he will lead all the way over the 2096 metre journey.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning likes the look of Bletchley Park.
“Bletchley Park could not have bene more impressive when he won by 18m at a Gloucester Park midweek meeting on August 27,” Manning said. “The four-year-old was having his first start in four months and should improve considerably with the benefit of that race. He showed class when second in the WA Derby last April and has won at eight of 15 starts. The Mike Reed-trained horse looks a strong contender in the Golden Nugget later this year.”
On-course announcer Ken Casellas believes another Bond-trained horse will salute.
“Hit Is Rich is the least experienced runner in the fourth event on Friday night, but she’s my best bet on an attractive program when I expect her to improve on her 45 per cent winning record,” Casellas said. “The New Zealand-bred six-year-old is favourably drawn at barrier two and Ryan Warwick should have her in a commanding position throughout. She had a tough run in the breeze when a fighting third behind stablemate She Could be Good last Friday night.”
TABradio racecaller Hayden King is confident punters can boost their bank early doors.
“Saleahs Comand can sizzle across the face of the field and lead the first,” King said. “We saw last week how potent he is from the front and the same result is likely.”
Guild president Wayne Currall, however, is at odds with King.
“Bettor Reward has drawn the pole in the first race and with champion reinsman Chris Lewis in the bike he appeals as the horse they all have to beat,” Currall said. “This looks like a significant drop in class and there is no one better at getting a horse off the arm than ACL.”
VALUE BETS
WARREN: Cut For An Ace can be a big improver from the good draw. He does have some impressive form over the sprint trip and I think he can win. Because of his figure form he could be around or just under each-way odds.
RYAN: Our Corelli is likely to get out to a luxurious quote from his wide draw and it’s hard to knock his recent form, boasting seven wins from his last 10 this preparation.
PAT: My value bet of the night is in the third with No. 3 Neighlor. With only a small field of nine I think Shannon Suvaljko can bounce him out of the barrier over the sprint journey and give punters an excellent sight.
ERNIE: Delightfulreaction, who faced a difficult task from gate nine when unplaced last week, could have better luck with a draw inside the back line. In her past six starts, she has won twice at Gloucester Park and also run two places there.
KEN: For value, I suggest The Dali Express in the final event. The Ross Olivieri-trained gelding is expected to lead from the No. 1 barrier and has sound prospects of upsetting the hot favourite Ocean Ridge.
HAYDEN: The Dali Express will be some chance to upstage Ocean Ridge in the last. He should be able to lead and give a sight.
WAYNE: Major Pocket won’t be suited by the draw or the sprint trip, but his form is hard to ignore – five seconds from his last six starts. Can mow them down off a hot pace.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
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