31 January 2019 | Wayne Currall
Talk about a mixed bag. Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have come up with a host of different specials for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
TABradio’s Matt McDermott and Guild president Wayne Currall have declared a horse in race four – albeit different horses.
And a similar scenario has played out for longshot king Pat Harding and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft in the very next race.
McDermott is keen on the chances of Campora.
“Campora can take advantage of barrier one after bad draws recently, coupled with being skittled at the start from gate two four starts ago last month,” McDermott said. “Things haven’t really gone his way lately. Over 1700 from the pole I think he can bounce back.”
Currall disagrees and has made Touch Of Success his best for the night.
“I think Touch Of Success can cross Campora at the start and record an all-the-way victory,” Currall said. “This will be his 10th start for new trainer Nathan Turvey and he hasn’t saluted since May last year, but his last-start second behind Caviar Star suggests he has his hoof firmly on the till.”
Harding is a fan of Lady De La Renta, while Havercroft has declared Maczaffair.
“My best bet of the night comes up in race five,” Harding said. “With excellent credentials, Lady De La Renta, coming from barrier four, should record a great win. With only seven runners, I think Kim Prentice will have her off and running and should give punters a great showing.”
However, Havercroft isn’t having a bar of it.
“Maczaffair should relish a small field and the drop back from Pacing Cup company to a fillies and mares race,” Havercroft said. “Looks classes above her rivals.”
Multiple winner of the Guild’s tipping competition Stuart Lowe believes punters can boost their bank early doors by supporting Shockwave in the opening event.
“My best bet is the ever consistent pacer Shockwave, who has won six times and been placed on eight occasions from 16 starts,” Lowe said. “He was super impressive in winning in 1.54 last week and looks the one to beat here.”
Budding racecaller Hayden King is a brave young man. He’s made perennial bridesmaid Luis Alberto his best for the night.
“Everyone’s favourite Luis Alberto can work to the front in the final race and looks a moral,” King said with confidence. “Tom Melbourne won last Saturday and even Luis is feeling inspired.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has opted for Michael Joseph as his star bet.
“Michael Joseph has to overcome a wide draw but is dropping in grade and can do work in this event,” Young said. “Looks hard to beat after being unlucky last start.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is keen on comeback pacer Chok Chai.
“Chok Chai is a winner of 10 races from 15 starts in a career that has obviously been interrupted by setbacks,” Manning said. “The six-year-old, who scored wins at five consecutive starts leading up to a spell early last year, did not find form in a subsequent winter campaign. But he has the class to be a top winning prospect when resuming in his current preparation.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas is singing the praises of Baylan Jett.
“Baylan Jett has been unplaced at his past five starts, but he gets an excellent opportunity to return to winning form from the prized No. 1 barrier on Friday night,” Casellas said. “He’s my best bet on an interesting program. The five-year-old will have the services of champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr, who should make every post a winner by winning the start and dictating terms in front.”
RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker believes Vultan Tin can make it consecutive wins.
“Vultan Tin recorded a super win last week in FFA company and will enjoy the 2536m trip again here,” Walker said. “He looks the class runner in this field and should chalk up another feature win.”
VALUE BETS
Matt M: Rarely does Sea Me Smile miss a first-four spot. She was only a length from the second placegetter last week and the start prior was sixth, but just over a length from the winner and held up. In this field she will be right in the finish.
Wayne: Lagoon Stride has been about the place at his past few starts. He’ll appreciate the trailing draw and can run a race at odds.
Pat: My value bet of the night comes up in race three with the Bob Mellsop-trained You Gotta Have Faith coming out of barrier two. With master reinsman Gary Hall Jr aboard, he should make it back-to-back wins.
Ryan: Stunin Eyes Only comes up with the coveted inside barrier in a race where well-known non-winner Luis Alberto will be fancied. With an unplaced sequence of 11 runs, you should get each-way odds about the mare.
Stuart: My value bet is Maczaffair, who has won close to half a million dollars. Her close-up third in the Pacing Cup last start makes her look too classy for her rivals here.
Hayden: Mighty Major can camp off a hot speed and jet home over the top at nice odds. He is racing most consistently in preparation for this assignment.
Matt Y: I think Absolution can get across to the breeze and outstay his rivals here. I’m confident he can outstay Luis Alberto!
Ernie: Ultimate Major, having his first race after a stable change, is on a 12-run losing streak. But he can be prominent if reproducing form shown when running two Gloucester Park seconds last November.
Ken: For value, I suggest Naval Aviator from the awkward No. 6 barrier in race three. He meets stiffer opposition than what he met in winning at Northam, Narrogin and Albany at his past three starts. But trainer-reinsman Aldo Cortopassi has him fit and firing – and revealing wonderful early speed.
Tim: You Gotta Have Faith is a last-start winner and I think he can go back-to-back here. Maybe able to get to the front here and prove very hard to run down for Hall Jr.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting!
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