19 November 2020 | Wayne Currall
The $300,000 Retravision Fremantle Cup (2536m) highlights an action-packed 10-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Group 1 feature sees Chicago Bull take on Shockwave and five runners from the leading stable of Greg and Skye Bond.
It promises to be a race for the ages, but WA Trotting Media Guild president Wayne Currall believes Chicago Bull can reign supreme, despite his sticky draw in gate six.
“Chicago Bull has been the best pacer in WA for a number of seasons now,” Currall said. “The ‘Little Bull’ will have to work hard in the breeze to beat this field, but I think he’s up to the task. I’ve made Chicago Bull my best bet on the program. Punters should be able to get black odds about him and he’ll give them a great run for their money.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart believes Balcatherine will return to winning form in race nine.
“I’ve made Balcatherine my best bet,” Wishart said. “I’m expecting her to bounce back hard here. It just didn’t pan out for her in the Norms Daughter classic last Sunday. Her first-up win was dominant and despite the draw I think she will win. Would love to get the $4 as advertised.”
And veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas agrees with Wishart.
“Balcatherine drops appreciably in class this week and I’m selecting her as my best bet to overcome the wide barrier at No. 8 on Friday night,” Casellas said. “On Sunday, she raced in eighth position and was forced four and five wide over the final 400m when a sound sixth behind Wainui Creek in the Norms Daughter Classic. This will be just her 16TH start, and the best is still to come.”
However, TABradio’s Hayden King disagrees with the summation of the race made by Wishart and Casellas.
“Somebeachparty has plenty of gate speed and there is little drawn inside her,” King said. “She led and recorded a sizzling last half on Monday. She can race to the front again and prove too tough to catch.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft thinks punters can add to their bank early doors by supporting Lavra Joe in the opening race.
“Tough horse Lavra Joe has had an outstanding two-year-olds season, banking more than $100,000 from his 10 wins,” Havercroft said. “He is no stranger to wide draws and should be able to overcome barrier nine and add another victory to that number.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is keen on the promising To Fast To Serious in race six.
“Quality four-year-old To Fast To Serious has won at six of his past seven starts and was unlucky when handicappers decided not to allocate him a Fremantle Cup run,” Manning said. “He could not have been more impressive in a 10m victory at his last appearance. Connections will hope he can again win convincingly and remain in contention for a WA Pacing Cup start on December 4.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has opted for Liam Neil as his best for the night.
“After last week’s disrupted meeting because of rain, this week looks like being very tough,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race three with No. 1 Liam Neil. He is ideally placed and with Gary Hall Jr aboard can record another good win.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: Bettor Be Oscar drops in class from his last-start fifth behind Stroke Of Luck, where they covered the final 800m in a slick 56.2. Is drawn to play the sniper’s role from three back the pegs and can surprise at odds.
WARREN: The first on the card looks like an interesting race. The race shape may swing things in favour of Machnificent, who hasn’t been able to reel in Lavra Joe in recent runs. But he is a real talent and if the indicative price of $12 is correct then he is a great each-way bet.
KEN: For value, I suggest American Brave in the fourth event in which he is handily drawn at barrier three at his first appearance for eight months. He was most impressive when he sprinted over the final quarters in 28.9sec. and 27.7sec. in winning a 2150m Byford trial by 15 lengths on Sunday morning.
HAYDEN: The Last Parisian has been racing superbly but has drawn disappointingly. However, this means he will be at big odds and he can overcome the draw and be a strong each-way chance.
RYAN: Gran Chico improved sharply second-up to win impressively from the breeze on Sunday. Looks a chance on that effort.
ERNIE: New Zealand, Victorian and WA winner Trinity Bromac is due to record another victory. The Merv Butterwoth-owned mare has shown plenty of potential since beginning to race this year for trainer Ross Olivieri. Fourths have been recorded by the six-year-old in each of her three starts since a Gloucester Park success last month.
PAT: My value bet come up in race two with No. 9 Taroona Bromac. There’s not a great deal of form in this race and I think this Bond-trained horse with Ryan Warwick aboard can repeat his win two starts ago.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting on what promises to be a great night of pacing at headquarters.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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