28 December 2017 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have labelled classy mare Maczaffair as the best of good things for Friday night’s last meeting of 2017.
The Mike Reed-trained pacer will be very short, but should be winning. The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft summed up the thoughts of his colleagues when he said Maczaffair should post an all-the-way victory.
“Maczaffair showed blistering gate speed when second to Ultimate Machete in the Golden Nugget,” Havercroft said. “She should have no trouble in fining the top in The Coulson Final and will take rolling.”
Longshot king Pat Harding believes Livura can deliver some good cheers to punters. “I thought that one of the better bets comes up in race three with the Nathan Turvey-trained and driven Livura,” Harding said. “Should get a good run from gate four and follow up a good third at his last start with a win.”
Leading tipster Stuart Lowe has marked the consistent Skippy Rascal as his best for the night.”My best bet is Skippy Rascal who has drawn perfectly in one,” Lowe said. “Was a strong winner when he drew the pole three starts ago and is racing well enough to repeat the dose.”
Sunday Times columnist Robbie Dewar fancies Idealindiamonds. “This Skye Bond-trained pacer is building up an imposing record in WA,” Dewar said. “He goes back another 10 metres for his last-start win but he’s in terrific form and can go on with it here.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is confident punters can start the night on a winning note by supporting polemarker Handsandwheels. “Handsandwheels can use his speed from the machine to take up the running in the opening event,” Currall said. “He’s a last-start winner and will prove the testing material here.”
TABradio’s Matt Young also is a fan of Skippy Rascal. “Skippy Rascal has come up with the draw and is racing well,” Young said. “He should lead and prove very hard to beat and give Dodolicious plenty to think about.”
On-course announcer Ken Casellas is keen on Itz Bettor To Win in the second race. “The outside of the backline is certainly not an ideal position, but Itz Bettor To Win has the class to overcome this disadvantage and win on Friday night,” Casellas said. “The lightly-raced New Zealand-bred six-year-old has a distinct edge in ability over his 11 rivals and is my star bet for the meeting.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning also is in the Maczaffair camp. “WA Oaks winner Maczaffair looks ideally suited with barrier two in the Coulson Final, which is restricted to mares,” Manning said. “She fought on tenaciously to finish second after facing the breeze in a Coulson heat and will be hard to beat if reproducing her performance to finish second to Ultimate Machete in the Golden Nugget two starts ago.”
Value Bets:
Ryan: Bonsu loves the stand and is drawn on the pegs from which she is always a place chance.
Pat: Three Pints appeals (pardon the pun). With the ever-reliable Shannon Suvaljko aboard, I think punters might be able to cash in.
Stuart: My value bet is the promising Lightning Jolt, who was a slashing winner from gate eight at his last start. The pole draw here brings him in with strong claims.
Robbie: Ella Gant Player is an each-way proposition. At her last three outings the filly has won and been placed twice. Hard to beat from gate three.
Wayne: Tommy Be Good has drawn the inside of the backline and loves the trailing draw. Can figure in the finish, particularly off a hot speed.
Matt: Sightseeing Anvil has been warming up and this looks a good race for him. May find the top and be very hard to run down.
Ken: Looking for value, I’ve come up with Galactic Star. He has drawn barrier four and Ryan Warwick should have him in a favourable position all the way.
Ernie: Johnny Fox showed plenty of ability when a New Zealand and Melbourne winner. Unplaced at his past four starts, but should get a soft run on Friday night.
Good punting and a Happy New Year to all.
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