19 March 2020 | Wayne Currall
Punters can get some early cheer at Gloucester Park on Friday night by backing the polemarker My Carbon Copy in the opening event.
At least that’s the opinion of three members of the WA Trotting Media Guild, who have labelled the Gary Hall-trained pacer as their star bet on the program.
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart, The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and Guild president Wayne Currall believe My Carbon Copy will score an all-the-way victory.
“It was a huge night for leaders last Friday and I expect a ‘Carbon Copy’ again both in the first race and across the night,” Wishart said. “My Carbon Copy should lead all the way from the pole draw over the sprint trip.”
Havercroft agrees.
“My Carbon Copy has won at both times when drawn the pole since arriving from New Zealand and he can repeat the dose this Friday,” Havercroft said. ”His last two efforts were unplaced, but he was held up two starts ago then just sat a bit far off them last time out.“
Ditto from Currall.
“My Carbon Copy just leads and wins … it’s as simple as that,” Currall said. “Will start well in the red, but little fish are sweet.”
TABradio form expert Hayden King is keen on another polemarker, the in-form mare Caruba in race seven.
“Caruba is drawn to lead and is in top form,” King said. ”She continued to pick up ground from last at her most recent outing in a neat final half. She will prove very hard to turn over.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and longshot guru Pat Harding are in the camp of unbeaten two-year-old filly Black Jack Baby in race nine.
“Black Jack Baby is unbeaten in four starts and she continues to improve,” Manning said. “The David Young-trained juvenile looked exceptional when she led and scored by almost 25m in her city debut last Friday night. She had performed stylishly, without bolting away from rivals, on the country circuit. Young plans to space the filly’s future races, with the Golden Slipper being her long-term mission.”
And Harding agrees.
“This Friday night at GP could see a number of favourites romp home – unfortunately there won’t be an audience there to see them,” Harding said. “My best bet is Black Jack Baby. Last week’s win was a walk in the park and I believe she can make it five wins straight – she’s a very impressive filly who is destined for big things.“
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas believes there is value to be had in race two.
“The second on the card looks the most open event on the program and I’m optimistic that my best bet Naval Aviator will give his supporters a great run for their money, even from the awkward barrier at No. 7,” Casellas said. “He has sound prospects of ending a losing sequence of 16. Naval Aviator, trained and driven by Aldo Cortopassi, was an excellent second to Dreamy Nights three starts ago and he caught the eye again last Friday night when he raced three back on the pegs and finished strongly, out five wide, to be fifth, only one length from the winner You Gotta Have Faith.“
TABradio racecaller Matt Young has opted for two-year-old colt Mighty Ronaldo as his best bet.
“Mighty Ronaldo has had two very strong runs and looks very hard to beat,” Young said. “He should crack it for his first win.”
VALUE BETS
WARREN: I think the leaders/inside draws are set for another big night and Three Bears should be able to control this race from the front. In what has been a tough week for all Australians, the indicative price of $5 would bring joy to many.
RYAN: Master trainer Tony Svilicich is bound to have Vincenzo Perrugia primed for his first-up assignment and there is very little exposed form in that field
WAYNE: Soho Wonder is drawn to get a cosy run behind likely leader Three Bears in race two. Can play a part at each-way odds.
HAYDEN: I fancy Vincenzo Peruggia will be tightly kept in the market, although his lead-up trial was only fair, resulting in some inflated prices about his adversaries. Three Bears is perfectly drawn and has built the necessary fitness to hold off this Goldilocks-like painting thief.
ERNIE: Mad Robber won only once in his last eight starts before a spell and he ran 11th when resuming, but the Gary Hall-trained veteran should not be underrated. He has recorded 15 victories, including four at Gloucester Park.
PAT: Naval Aviator hasn’t had a great deal of luck in recant races, but over the 2536 metre journey I think Aldo Cortopassi can have him well placed to pounce at the finish.
KEN: Always An Honour is favourably drawn at barrier three in race eight and should be prominent throughout the 2536m journey. He ran on from ninth at the bell to be an extremely close fifth behind Where Ya Bin over 2503m last week.
MATT: Machlani is coming down in grade and although he can’t buy a barrier draw the distance should suit and he is more than capable of winning here.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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