26 March 2020 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are hoping to provide some joy for punters during this difficult period at tomorrow night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
Form expert at Radio Great Southern Warren Wishart, the king of longshots Pat Harding and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft all believe The Bird Dance can add to his picket fence when he lines up from the pole in race three.
“The Bird Dance made an outstanding return last week to remain unbeaten from eight WA runs,” Wishart said. ”Love the best horses drawing gate one and he will be untroubled to make it nine in a row.“
Harding agrees.
“Looks like Greg and Skye Bond could have a stellar night at GP this Friday night,” Harding said. “My best bet of the night comes up in race three with the Bond-trained The Bird Dance. This horse had another excellent win last week and coming out of barrier one this week should have no problems accounting for his rivals.”
And Havercroft makes it three.
“The Bird Dance looks set to continue his local undefeated Western Australian form when drawing ideally for The Clarke Pace,” Havercroft said. “On a night with a lot of standouts, I think the Greg and Skye Bond pacer can have punters off to a clucking good start to the night.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning has opted for another Bond runner as his star bet.
“New Zealand import Justasec showed toughness a fortnight ago when he faced the breeze and recorded his third win from five Gloucester Park starts,” Manning said. ”The gelding, who entered Greg and Skye Bond’s stable after a Kiwi win, remains highly consistent. His career tally is nine wins and three places in 13 starts.”
Veteran journalist Ken Casellas likes another Kiwi import, but this time from the Debra Lewis stable.
“Hampton Banner and Be My Rock arrived in Western Australia from New Zealand early this month, fresh from clashing in a 2200m event at Alexandra Park on February 14 when Be My Rock won and Hampton Banner finished fourth,” Casellas said. “The smart three-year-olds will renew their rivalry when they clash in race 10 on Friday night when I’m declaring Hampton Banner as my best bet.
Hampton Banner settled in seventh and last position, 12 lengths behind the pacemaker in the February 14 event and impressed in charging home out wide on the track. Be My Rock enjoyed the run of the race behind the pacemaker before scoring in good style. Then Be My Rock was an unlucky fourth behind Roman Art at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon after being checked and losing six lengths 1200m from home.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is keen on another Bond runner.
“Galactic Star couldn’t buy a draw on his recent trip to Sydney,” Currall said. “He finished second, eighth and fourth from his three NSW starts, all from wide barriers. Tomorrow night he draws the pole and will take no end of beating, despite coming up against the little champ Chicago Bull, who is returning to the track after a nine-month spell.”
VALUE BETS
WARREN: Miss Sangrial was responsible for a sneaky good run over the mile trip on Monday from a wide draw. Very similar field here and drawn wide again, but the extra distance is in her favour. At the indicative price of $18 she is worth an each-way ticket.
PAT: Value bets are few and far between, but in race six the Justin Prentice-trained Dracarys coming out of barrier four could be the way to go. She is first-up after a spell, but with Gary Hall Jr aboard could give off-course punters a good showing.
RYAN: Tenno Sho at an indicative price of $16 looks to be value in the Trotters Sprint. Mr Sundon looks hard to beat, but Tenno Sho is faultless from the mobile and drawn to be on the pace.
ERNIE: Lord Rosco is due to break through for his first city win. In his past eight starts, he has notched Bridgetown and Bunbury wins in addition to five seconds and a third. He ran a smart second at Gloucester Park two weeks ago.
KEN: For value, I suggest Gotta Go Gabbana in the Empress Stakes. She is a stout-hearted stayer and I’m predicting she will be fighting out the finish.
WAYNE: Tommy Be Good hasn’t got the class of some his rivals in the FFA, but he will duck straight in behind likely leader Galactic Star. He follows pace well and can place at a good price.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting and stay safe.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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