18 March 2021 | Wayne Currall
Texas Tiger and Walsh have attracted plenty of interest from several members of the WA Trotting Media Guild for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and Guild president Wayne Currall believe the Gary Hall-trained Texas Tiger can continue building his picket fence.
“Texas Tiger won the 4YO & 5YO Championship last week in arrogant fashion and looks hardest to beat on the card,” Havercroft said. “Gary Hall Jr didn’t move an inch last week to bring up the gelding’s sixth win in as many local starts and he has opted to drive Texas Tiger over stablemate Matai Geordie, who drew barrier one.”
Currall agrees with Havercroft.
“Texas Tiger surprised me with his gate speed last start when he crossed Bletchley Park,” he said. “I didn’t see that coming … but good horses can do that, and this bloke is a seriously good horse. I expect Texas Tiger to go straight to the top and win from stablemate Matai Geordie. Will be short but use him as a banker for all-ups.”
Veteran trotting scribe Ken Casellas and The West Australian’s Ernie Manning are in the Walsh camp.
“Five-year-old Walsh is racing in wonderful form for trainer-reinsman Aiden de Campo and I’m making him my best bet this week,” Casellas said. “I’m suggesting that he will repeat the dose of two starts ago when he set the pace and ran home in 56.6sec. to win over 2130m. I am tipping he will hold up from the No. 1 barrier and get the job done in race four at Gloucester Park.”
Manning concurs with Casellas.
“Walsh, who recently emerged from a form slump, won after drawing the pole two starts ago and he again looks hard to beat with a barrier one advantage,” he said. “The gelding was unplaced at nine consecutive starts, but he has recorded two wins, four thirds and two fourths in his past eight appearances. He was dropped back from gate nine last week and finished a creditable fourth.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is keen on Lavra Joe in the $50,000 Intersport Slater Gartrell 3YO Western Gateway Pace (2536m).
“Lavra Joe has a tricky draw to contend with, but that just improves the price,” Young said. “He should be able to get off at the start and go on his winning way again.”
Young’s colleague at TABradio, Hayden King, has made Tuas Delight his best bet.
“Tuas Delight is drawn one on a front line that doesn’t look overly fast,” King said. “Kyle Harper is one of the best front-running reinsmen going around and I think Tuas Delight can lead throughout.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has opted for Rakasinc as his star bet on the 10-event card.
“Looks a night where short-priced favourites will reign,” Harding said. “Punters should find some winners, but the returns won’t be great. My best bet comes up in race three with No. 2 Rakasinc. He has been knocking on the door in recent runs and this could be his night.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart is a fan of Black Jack Baby, who this week was named last season’s 2YO Filly of the Year in WA.
“Black Jack Baby is back in top form and this week draws well,” Wishart said. “Looks a good thing.”
VALUE BETS
RYAN: La Suleiman follows the favourite in the first event and, with no numerical form to speak of, could be at a long quote to appear in the placings.
WAYNE: Thereugo has been racing more consistently of late. I expect trainer-driver Lindsay Harper to send him to the front and if he can get a couple of easy sectionals he should be there when the whips are cracking.
KEN: For value, I suggest the enigmatic Master Publisher in the opening event, in which he looks ideally placed from barrier No. 2 and should fight out the finish.
ERNIE: Pinny Tiger has yet to win at Gloucester Park and faces a sharp class rise after country wins at three of his past four starts. But he should be fresh following a seven-week break from racing and is likely to be well positioned from gate two.
MATT: Lightning Jolt and Has No Fear are both going to get lovely runs behind a keen Rakasinc over the longer trip. Play both and look for a result.
HAYDEN: Has No Fear relies on luck but she’s drawn to get a soft run. If the breaks go her way she will be powering home with conviction.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race two with the Michael Brennan-trained Machlani coming out of barrier five over the 2536 metre journey. He hasn’t had much luck recently, but I think Michael Grantham can bring him home.
WARREN: I’m going for Mighty Ronaldo for a bit of value. Brave to tip against Lavra Joe, but the price differential is too great. The race shape looks far better this week for Mighty Ronaldo and he claimed the scalp of Lavra Joe two runs ago. Opened $9 and is great value still at around $7.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting.
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