21 December 2017 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have labelled some good things at Gloucester Park on Friday night that should ensure your stockings are bulging with goodies come the big day on Monday.
The Gary Hall-trained Ima Rocknroll Legend, his stablemate Herrick Roosevelt and Skye Bond’s Vampiro are all considered star bets from members of the Guild.
On-course announcer Ken Casellas, the West Australian’s Ernie Manning and TABradio’s Matt Young are keen on Ima Rocknroll Legend.
Casellas spoke for his colleagues when he said Ima Rocknroll Legend put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching first-up performance last Friday night. “Ima Rocknroll Legend has the talent to overcome the significant disadvantage of starting from the outside barrier on the front line and win on Friday night,” he said. “Last week he was making his first appearance in four months and is sure to have derived considerable benefit from that run.”
Longshot maestro Pat Harding, veteran tipster Bill Brindley and Sunday Times columnist Robbie Dewar are all in the Vampiro camp.
Harding echoed the thoughts of his comrades when he said Vampiro could make it successive wins at headquarters. “This should be a good meeting for punters just before Christmas and I think they can get off to a good start in the second with Vampiro,” he said. “Skye Bond and Ryan Warwick had a good win last week with Vampiro and from barrier two I expect them to repeat the dose.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and yours truly have earmarked Herrick Roosevelt as their best bet.
Havercroft spoke for him and Currall when he said Herrick Roosevelt should make the most of his improved barrier draw. “Herrick Roosevelt was brave last week when sitting outside Wrappers Delight in their heat of Friday’s Christmas Gift,” he said. “He is drawn to reverse his fortunes with Wrappers Delight drawn to his immediate outside.”
Leading tipster Stuart Lowe is keen on squaregaiter Sunnys Little Whiz as his star bet. “The best bet is Sunnys Little Whiz who had won 12 times and run second three times from her previous 15 starts, before breaking last start and finishing unplaced,” he said. “Should return to winners’ list here.”
VALUE BETS:
Ken: El Hombre drops quite a deal in class and he is my recommendation as the value bet of the night, even though he has drawn out wide at barrier eight.
Ernie: El Hombre has been beaten at his past seven starts, but ran eye-catching fourths after being four back on the pegs at his last two appearances.
Matt: Major Catastrophe has come back very good and likely to make his presence felt here. He is big and strong and with a safe start will give this a shake.
Pat: I’m looking at doubling up on Vampiro into Herrick Roosevelt. They’ll both be short, but they should be winning.
Bill: My value bet comes up in the opening event in Khun Ratha. Ran a good race last week and can surprise at odds. Also fancy C C Chevron on an each-way basis in the fifth.
Robbie: Auctioneers Elsu has drawn badly on the outside of the front line in the second last, but she is racing in great heart and can figure in the finish.
Ryan: Red Salute hasn’t won since March, but is an interesting runner dropping back into a stand. Ross Olivieri horses are always well educated from behind the strands.
Wayne: Walkinshaw is set to get the run of the race behind likely leader Herrick Roosevelt and looks like figuring in the placings.
Stuart: The value bet is Alfa Queen who is a smart beginner and well drawn in an even field. Respect.
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year from all members of the WA Trotting Media Guild.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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