28 December 2018 | Wayne Currall
Saying Grace and Stefsbest will both be in the red for their respective races at Gloucester Park tomorrow night with several members of the WA Trotting Media Guild making them star bets.
Veteran tipster Stuart Lowe and RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker believe the Ross Olivieri-trained Stefsbest will return to the winners’ list.
“My best bet is Stefbest, who had three easy wins before three luckless unplaced runs,” Lowe said. “Draws the pole here and gets his chance to win.”
Walker agrees.
“This is a big drop in class for Stefsbest,” Walker said. “He was admirable in the Nugget from tough draws. Expect him to be winning this well.”
And Saying Grace has attracted even more support from Media Guild members with The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, longshot king Pat Harding and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft all labelling him as their best bet.
“Saying Grace looks in line for his fourth consecutive win after drawing the prized pole position,” Manning said. “The classy Kiwi import has won at six of nine WA starts and showed his quality in a Christmas Gift Final victory last Friday night. He has the gate speed to hold front running for the powerful Greg and Skye Bond stable.”
Harding and Havercroft couldn’t agree more.
“My best bet of the night comes up in the third race with Saying Grace,” Harding said. “In this small field of seven and coming out of barrier No. 1, Saying Grace can win and make it four in a row.”
Saying Grace is fast becoming Havercroft’s favourite horse.
“I am starting to sound like a broken record, but I am tipping Saying Grace again,” Havercroft said. “He couldn’t have been more impressive over the heats and final of the Christmas Gift. This week he draws the pole in a modest open-class race and looks the likely winner again.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is a fan of The Art Form.
“The Art Form has got the draw to utilise his gate speed to lead and win,” Young said. “He looks well suited here.”
Young’s colleague at TABradio Matt McDermott is keen on Golden State.
“Golden State is the class runner of the field,” McDermott said. “He will need a bit of luck from the draw and if it comes his way he’ll be the one finishing off best.”
Budding racecaller Hayden King believes Mr Mojito can upstage NSW raider My Field Marshal in the Village Kid Pace.
“Mr Mojito has drawn favourably in the feature event on Friday night,” King said. “He should be able to force his way to the front and will take a power of beating.”
Guild president Wayne Currall thinks punters can add to their bank early doors by supporting Benhope Rulz.
“Benhope Rulz has drawn gate two and champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr should be able to take up the running with this classy four-year-old,” Currall said. “His main danger is stablemate Bettor Vision, but he’s drawn poorly on the inside of the second row.”
VALUE BETS
Stuart: My value bet is Qtown Rip Roaring, for whom nothing has gone right at his last three runs. He should get a great run from the pole draw and has a big finish.
Tim: The last is a terrific race to close the night. Its Rock And Roll was third in the Golden Slipper and has got class. Takes on a good field but, from the inside draw, he should take a power of beating.
Ernie: Lets Cut Loose, a winner of 12 NSW races, should be a profitable WA prospect now he is in Gary Hall’s stable. He is expected to settle better, after pulling hard when a second-up sixth last Friday night.
Pat: My value bet of the night comes up in race eight with Absolution for Debbie Padberg and Shannon Suvaljko. This is a pretty open race, but Absolution from barrier three over the sprint journey could prevail.
Ryan: Anime has started at long quotes at his last two but is capable of placing in this field. He was held up when 10th last week and I see him settling closer here from a trailing draw.
Matt Y: Beach Goddess has a race that is mapping well for her, should be close enough and looks a good each-way chance.
Matt M: Benhope Rulz has gate speed and will come out of barrier two. He has good form around Jack Mac and Ana Malak in recent starts. He looks hard to hold out here.
Hayden: Carter Michael could be overs and has been bursting to win one. I think it’s his night on Friday.
Wayne: On a night when there could be as many as seven odds-on favourites, finding value is difficult. However, Sea Me Smile is drawn to get a lovely run behind likely leader and winner Stefsbest.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting!
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