15 February 2018 | Wayne Currall
It should be another stellar night for the Halls – leading trainer Gary Hall and his youngest son, champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr – at Gloucester Park on Friday night, according to members of the WA Trotting Media Guild.
Longshot king Pat Harding believes Junior could walk away with four winners when he completes his sixth drive on the card with favourite Runrunjimmydunn.
“Junior should get punters off to a great start in the first with Red Hot Roxy,” Harding said. “This Pacing WA part-owned mare won well last week. She has banked more than $155,000 for her syndicate and from barrier two should account for the opposition.”
Veteran tipster Bill Brindley believes WA superstar Chicago Bull will win the $50,000 RWWA Cup, but has made the “Little Bull’s” stablemate Ima Rocknroll Legend his star bet.
“The meeting is packed full of interest,” Brindley said. “Chicago Bull appears to be a good thing, however Ima Rocknroll Legend is my best for the night.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning thinks Runrunjimmydunn is ready to atone for his last-start defeat as an odds-on pop.
“Runrunjimmydunn looks ready to re-enter the winner’s list after being unlucky when narrowly beaten at his past two appearances,” Manning said. “He faced the breeze two starts ago, then covered extra ground last Friday, when he also had a sulky tyre punctured. The four-year-old gelding, with five Gloucester Park victories, has won twice and run three seconds in his past five races.”
TABradio’s Matt McDermott agrees with his colleague.
“Runrunjimmydunn sustained a flat tyre when trucking wide late last week and it told at the end when he was beaten a half-neck,” McDermott said. “Though he’s drawn wide, the small field will help and he’s my best bet.”
The racing co-ordinator at The West Australian, Ryan Havercroft, has labelled Chicago Bull as his best.
“Chicago Bull has been in consistent form and looks hard to beat in the RWWA Cup,” Havercroft said. “With his main rival Bettors Fire drawn to his outside, he should be saluting at a short quote.”
Guild president Wayne Currall agrees with Havercroft, albeit in a more succinct manner.
“The little bloke’s the best horse in the race … he just wins.”
TABradio’s other Matt – Matt Young – believes the Mike Reed-trained Bechers Brook can win the $40,000 Caduceus Club Classic, a traditional stepping stone to the $200,000 Group 1 WA Derby.
“Bechers Brook is a very talented three-year-old who has drawn well,” Young said. “From gate four he should be very handy to them and I think he will win the Caduceus Club Classic.”
Two members who have won more Guild tipping competitions than anyone else – last season’s leading tipster Stuart Lowe and this season’s leader and favourite to take out the 2017/18 title Ken Casellas – agree that the Skye Bond-trained Tas Man Bromac will salute.
“Consistency is a virtue and few pacers are as consistent as Tas Man Bromac,” Casellas said. “His 36 starts have produced 13 wins, eight seconds and eight thirds. He’s a splendid frontrunner and has impressed at his five starts in WA, leading and winning at three of them and being placed in the other two after being forced to cover a lot of extra ground. He’s my star bet.”
And Lowe is in Casellas’ corner.
“My best bet is Tas Man Bromac, a classy winner of the Northam Cup last start against a good field,” Lowe said. “Won three of his previous five. Ideally drawn and the one to beat.”
VALUE BETS
Pat: I think Mac Tiger should give punters a good sight. Didn’t have much luck last week, but I think he will bounce back.
Bill: Our Zac Whitby and Say It Now can surprise at odds.
Ernie: Smo, with wins in New Zealand, NSW and Victoria, has a lengthy WA losing sequence. But he has drawn gate one and Aiden De Campo will take the reins.
Matt M: Has been a long time between drinks for Bhagwan, but has been placed two from last four. He has good gate pace and should be fighting out the finish .
Ryan: Sea Cider will be sitting in behind likely leader Red Hot Roxy and that would give her a good place chance in the opening event.
Wayne: Most tipsters and punters will make Bechers Brook favourite in the Caduceus, but beware his stablemate, Golden State. Lewis jumps in the bike. Could be the blowout.
Matt Y: Blissntheblack has been racing very well in the Great Southern and has drawn to get a soft run. Can work out late and win at each-way odds.
Ken: Speed Man is capable of a bold showing in the Caduceus, despite the second-line draw. He’s inexperienced, but could develop into a top-flight performer.
Stuart: My value bet is Maxentius who showed blistering speed to lead last start when a close-up third to Billy Mack and Runrunjimmydunn. This looks easier. Each way.
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Good Punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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