17 January 2019 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are divided on their opinions for best bets at Friday night’s stellar WA Pacing Cup meeting at Gloucester Park.
Multiple winner of the tipping competition Stuart Lowe and The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believe punters can start the star-studded night of pacing off with a bang by supporting hot-pot Stefsbest.
“My best bet is Stefsbest who has won impressively at this distance at each of his last two starts,” Lowe said. “Breezed a fortnight ago before winning in 1:54.8. With the pole draw should lead all the way.”
Manning agrees.
“Stefsbest, who has always shown quality, looks on target for a winning hat-trick when contesting his Nights Of Thunder heat,” Manning said. “He won at Melton in only his second race and impressed with victories at three consecutive starts soon after arriving in WA last year. The four-year-old has looked back to peak form in Gloucester Park wins at his past two appearances.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding, who found the 30/1 winner Qtown Rip Roaring last week, has plumped for Sydney pacer My Field Marshal in the feature event as his star bet.
“My best bet of the night comes up with My Field Marshal coming out of barrier No. 3,” Harding said. “After a scintillating win in the Fremantle Pacing Cup, I cannot see why he should not repeat that great performance in the WA Pacing Cup. While it is a strong field, I am sure driver Anthony Butt will bring home the goodies for punters.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas is keen on Caviar Star.
“New Zealand-bred four-year-old Caviar Star has resumed after a spell in sparkling form and he is my best bet,” Casellas said. “Caviar Star dashed to an early lead in a 2631m stand at Pinjarra on Monday and gave his rivals no chance by speeding over the final quarters in 28.5sec. and 26.8sec. to coast for a four-length victory.”
Budding racecaller Hayden King was short and sweet with his best.
“The Bucket List can make light work of his back mark and if anywhere near his best will be too strong,” King said.
TABradio’s Matt Young was equally as brief with his best for the night.
“Clarenden Hustler has got the gate speed to work across and lead,” Young said. “From there he can win this race.”
The racing co-ordinator at The West Australian Ryan Havercroft and RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker believe punters can finish the meeting on a high with Gotta Go Gabbana.
“Gotta Go Gabbana was an eye-catcher last week and just missed a start in the WA Pacing Cup,” Havercroft said. “On that basis she looks very hard to go past when dropping back into a fillies and mares race.”
And Walker agrees.
“We have to wait until the last for the best bet on the program,” Walker said. “Gotta Go Gabbana should be winning this given she is an emergency for the Pacing Cup earlier in the night. As tough as they come.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is keen on Golden State in the second event.
“Mark Reed should be able to send Golden State to the front from gate four in the sprint,” Currall said. “From there he appeals as the one they all have to run down. Can make it three wins from his last four starts.”
VALUE BETS
Stuart: The Bunbury Cup winner Rocknroll Lincoln is my value bet. He was looking a winning chance at the 250m of the Fremantle Cup last week, but was badly checked soon after and was knocked out of the race. Well drawn in the Pacing Cup and should figure in the finish.
Ernie: Veiled Secret faces a tough task when racing second-up from gate eight, but cannot be underestimated. She should be ready to improve on a first-up fourth and is expected to soon reproduce form which gave her four wins in a sequence of five starts last year.
Pat: My value bet comes up in race eight with Brookies Jet from barrier No. 3. This is not a particularly strong field and this horse has been about the place in recent runs and is due for a win and young Corey Peterson could guide him to victory.
Ken: For value, I suggest the Colin Joss-trained Lagoon Stride, who is sure to prove hard to beat in race six. Lagoon Stride led and fought on grandly when a close last-start second to Bronze Seeker at Pinjarra on Monday of last week.
Hayden: El Jacko looks set for a soft trip in the big one and can explode over the top late.
Matt: El Jacko in the Pacing Cup is drawn nicely and if there is a good tempo he will be dangerous late.
Ryan: Rock Me Over will be steered by champion visiting reinsman Anthony Butt. I expect him to get the horse away and you may see an improvement on his moderate recent numerical form.
Tim: The best value on the card might be in the big race itself with Rocknroll Lincoln. He was desperately unlucky last week. Will more than likely lead here and with G Hall Jr on expect a bold showing.
Wayne: Whoswhointhezoo has been in career-best form of late and from his trailing draw looms as a sound each-way chance in race eight.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting!
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