14 February 2019 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are united in thinking Chok Chai, Patrickthepiranha, Gotta Go Gabbana, Caviar Star and James Butt will all salute at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
All five horse will be short, but will prove the testing material in their respective races.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, longshot guru Pat Harding, veteran tipster Stuart Lowe and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft have made Patrickthepiranha their best bet in the $40,000 Caduceus Club Classic (2130m).
Manning summed up the thoughts of his colleagues when he said Patrickthepiranha could consolidate nominal favouritism for the $200,000 WA Derby on April 5 with victory on Friday night.
“Patrickthepiranha, unbeaten in six starts since a spell, has led at his past four appearances and should show the gate speed needed to hold-up from barrier one for reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green,” Manning said. “The three-year-old could further boost a run of success for trainer Colin Brown, who won the Daintys Daughter Classic with Typhoon Tiff last Friday night.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas has advised punters to keep following consistent mare Liberty Rose.
“Liberty Rose is the youngest and least experienced runner in the Caduceus Club Pace, but I’m confident she will prove very hard to beat and she’s my best bet,” Casellas said. “The four-year-old mare has been placed at all her five runs since resuming after a spell and is overdue for a win.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is keen on Caviar Star.
“Caviar Star had excuses last Friday night and back to a standing start, looks very well placed for victory here,” Young said.
Budding racecaller Hayden King agrees.
“Caviar Star was an enormous effort after working like a train last week,” King said. “This looks his for the taking.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters should forgive Chok Chai for his last-start defeat as a short-priced favourite.
“Chok Chai was only having his second start in almost seven months and was gunned down late over the 2536m journey last week” Currall said. “He’s set to bounce back from gate two over the 2130m trip. Can lead all the way here.”
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: Absolution has not won in his past 17 starts, but showed a glimpse of form when third a fortnight ago. He was eased back from gate six last Friday night and his ninth can be overlooked.
PAT: James Butt ran a creditable fourth last week, but I think Chris Voak can bring him home for a determined win from his favourable draw in gate two.
STUART: Importer Exporter’s form is better than it reads. Looks to meet a weaker field and should go close.
RYAN: Tarsao didn’t see daylight until well up the straight a fortnight ago when finishing fifth to Michael Joseph. Barrier here makes it tough but he is racing in good form.
KEN: Mr Mojito will have to overcome the outside barrier in a 1730m sprint event. However, he drops enormously in class and with an expected titanic duel for the early lead, he should enjoy a soft trip in the early stages before unleashing a powerful late burst.
MATT: Absolution in the last has been racing without much luck, but he has the draw and the options. He’s a 1×4 bet this Friday night.
HAYDEN: Mighty Flying Thomas should secure the softest of runs three back the fence on a strong speed over the long trip and he can blast over the top late.
WAYNE: Our Rhythm N Blues ran a creditable fourth last week at his first appearance in nine months. Will have derived plenty of benefit from the hit-out and can be dangerous at each-way odds.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting!
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