01 October 2020 | Wayne Currall
The $50,000 JP Stratton Cup (2130m) highlights a quality nine-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Group 2 event beings together the best two pacers in WA – Chicago Bull and Shockwave – and promises to be another titanic battle between the pair.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have, however, bypassed the feature when finding their best bets on the program.
TABradio’s “young guns” Hayden King and Matt Young believe punters can strike early with the consistent Collie-trained pacer Euphoric Moment in the opening event.
“Euphoric Moment is drawn to perfection in the first,” King said. “He’s been knocking on the door for a win and this looks his chance to break through.”
And Young agrees with his fellow racecaller.
“Euphoric Moment powered home last start to be an eye catcher,” Young said. “He obtains the prized barrier No.1 draw and should lead throughout over the longer trip.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart is keen on Rock Me Over in the fourth race.
“My best bet is No.2 in race four Rock Me over,” Wishart said. “Looks a suitable race for him from the good draw. Good effort last week and I think he can win.“
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning has made Jack William his star bet for the night.
“Jack William, who showed courage when fighting on to finish a close second after facing the breeze last Friday night, gets his chance to break through for a win,” Manning said. “A Gloucester Park minor placegetter at his last three starts, he has drawn gate three and reinswoman Emily Suvaljko should be able to position him well. The gelding has won 13 races.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believes Soho Hamilton can continue on his winning way.
“Soho Hamilton drops back from winning the Group 3 The Warwick last week to a metropolitan three-year-old field this Friday,” Havercroft said. “He led on his ear last week when only second-up in the State and so is likely to be further improved for this week’s task.“
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas, who will be cheering loud and hard for his beloved Claremont in Sunday’s WAFL grand final, has opted for Leap Of Faith as his best bet.
“Lightly raced four-year-old Leap Of Faith has resumed after a spell in fine form for trainer-reinsman Luke Edwards and I’m making her my best bet to emerge triumphant on Friday night,” Casellas said. “She finished strongly from the rear when a half-length second to Be My Rock at Pinjarra three Mondays ago when the final 400m was covered in a smart 27.1sec. That followed her strong-finishing effort to win from Blissfullabbey and Tiffany Twirl at Gloucester Park at her previous outing.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is confident tipsters and punters can bounce back after last week’s dismal effort, even if he doesn’t agree with Casellas.
“After a very disappointing night last Friday for punters and tipsters alike, fortunes could well turn around with some interesting races and runners this Friday night,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race seven with the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Starlight Destiny. She hasn’t had a great deal of luck recently, but with very little form from the rest of the field I think she can breakthrough for a well-earned win.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is keeping his powder dry until race nine.
“I think Princess MILA can lead and post an all-the-way victory in the last on the program,” Currall said. “Her first-up run at Pinjarra after a four-month break was full of merit. She was terrorised in front by Mr Sundon, but still managed to fight on and just went down in a slogging finish.”
VALUE BETS
HAYDEN: Blissfullabbey is a classy mare. If the speed is on and she can get off the pegs, there is every chance she can zoom over the top to win.
MATT: Hotfoot It has trialled up nicely for a return run. Looks to have a nice run just in behind the speed and could be dangerous late. The Woodworths do a great job with their small team.
WARREN: Hard to know how the market will assess Little Bitof Fun after being beaten Monday at odds-on, but this draw is a huge plus for him and I think he is a great each-way play.
ERNIE: Black Jack Zac, beaten at his past 36 starts, gives the impression he could break a drought if having a little luck. He could have a change of fortune with barrier two, after being one out and four back when unplaced in his past two races. He is a winner of six Gloucester Park events.
RYAN: Delightfulreaction has been racing well and draws inside Rock Me Over who is the odds-on favourite in the indicative market. The price difference between the two looks too great for mine and I like the mare from the pegs draw.
KEN: For value, I suggest Delightfulreaction from barrier one in race four. Her recent efforts have been excellent and she is poised to fight out the finish.
PAT: My value bet of the night comes up in race two with No.3 Henwood Bay. He was my value bet last week and finished fourth, but I think he is better than that and has a real chance in this race.
WAYNE: Mcardles Gem is drawn to get a lovely run just off the speed. Looks each-way value all day from the pegs.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
