01 March 2018 | Wayne Currall
Three members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have labelled comeback pacer Zennart as a star bet at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Gary Hall-trained Zennart has impressed in his three starts back from a lengthy injury-enforced spell, with two wins and a courageous last-start second behind Maxentius.
Last season’s leading tipster Stuart Lowe, The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and longshot king Pat Harding are all in the Zennart camp.
“My best bet is Zennart, a very smart pacer who has had three runs back after two and half years off,” Lowe said. “Those runs resulted in two strong wins before a solid last-start second here from barrier 12. The pole draw here should enable him to lead and win.”
Havercroft agrees with Lowe’s summation.
“Zennart has returned to racing in great order after a two-and-a-half year injury break,” Havercroft said. “Though beaten last week from a back-line draw, he made a sustained run from the back to be a clear second to Maxentius and can go one better on Friday.”
Harding is of the same opinion as his colleagues.
“I’m prepared to give Zennart another chance,” Harding said. “He finished a very creditable second last week and with Lauren Jones on board and coming out of barrier one I think he can break through for another win.”
But TABradio’s Matt Young disagrees.
“Vampiro in race two is my best bet,” Young said. “He was very good last start, is now third up from a spell and I’m confident he’ll be at his peak and can outstay Zennart.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes unbeaten filly Cap In Hand can make it three in a row in the $100,000 Clipsal by Schneider Electric 2YO Fillies Sales Classic Final (1730m).
“Cap In Hand has the early speed to overcome gate seven and gets her chance to maintain her unbeaten record,” Manning said. “The Kat Warwick-trained juvenile, driven by Gary Hall Jr, has set the pace and won stylishly in her two appearances. She scored at Pinjarra on February 5 and then was successful in a sales classic heat at headquarters last Tuesday week.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas is keen on Responder.
“Twelve wins from 151 starts equates to an extremely modest winning record of 8 per cent,”
Casellas said. “But Responder was so dominant in a slashing victory last Friday night that he should repeat the dose by overcoming the outside barrier and proving the master of his seven rivals in the opening event on Friday night.”
Veteran tipster Bill Brindley has marked two horses as star bets.
“There are only eight races on Friday night, but plenty of chances in most races,” Brindley said. “My best bet is Mister Versace. He is close to top form and has the ability to be racing in much better company. Speed Man was responsible for an outstanding second last and a better barrier should enable him to beat Golden State on this occasion.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can confidently support Runrunjimmydunn.
“Runrunjimmydunn has been in outstanding form with four wins and three seconds at his past seven starts,” Currall said. “You don’t get much more consistent than that. He’s the sole runner on the back line in the third and Junior will have plenty of time to decide when to unleash Jimmy.”
VALUE BETS
Stuart: My value bet is the classy Machrihanish, who has followed two close seconds with a ninth at Bunbury in a very strong field. Down in class here and suited by the small field.
Ryan: Soho Interceptor worked home nicely when second to Cap In Hand in her heat of the 2YO Fillies Sales Classic last Tuesday week. Can improve.
Pat: We get a chance to see some of the stars of the future in the 2YO Finals. In the fillies final, Cap In Hand should make it three wins in a row with Gary Hall Jr aboard.
Matt: Zacharia has been racing really well and meets a good line-up for him. He’s a strong each-way player in the opener.
Ernie: The consistent Hot Fraternity looks capable of overcoming barrier nine in the Clipsal C-Bus Pace. He endured a tough run in the early stages before finishing sixth last Friday.
Ken: Rockin The Boys is capable of bouncing back after her first-up failure two Fridays ago when she led and wilted to sixth behind Gotta Go Gabbana.
Bill: Machrihanish is an each-way chance in race one and Johnnys Grange is a similar hope in the sixth.
Wayne: Watch Me React has drawn the pole in the 2YO colts and geldings final and with Morgan Woodley in the cart can upset his more fancied rivals.
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Good Punting.
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