29 August 2019 | Wayne Currall
The last metropolitan meeting of the 2018/19 season will be run at Gloucester Park on Friday night and members of the WA Trotting Media Guild hope to send punters home on a winning note.
TABradio racecaller Hayden King believes the best bet on the 10-event card comes up in the last race.
“Michael Joseph appears to have a clear class edge on his rivals here,” King said. “He should sit off the pace, come three-wide and sweep straight past.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is keen on Infinite Symbol.
“On what looks a very tough night for punters and tipsters alike, my best bet comes up in race five with the Greg and Skye Bond-trained horse Infinite symbol,” Harding said. “She has had some good places recently, but gets her chance to break through in a not particularly strong field.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is a fan of the consistent Major Pocket.
“Major Pocket gets the chance to break through for another win after running seconds to Our Corelli, Simba Bromac, Major Trojan and Carter Micheal at his past four starts,” Manning said. “The Ray Williams-trained horse has been highly regarded since he rated 1:53.8 to win a Bunbury two-year-old race over 1609m in April, 2016. At the time he was Australia’s fastest juvenile of the season. He has won 11 races and possesses the ability to overcome gate seven.”
However, leading tipster Matt Young is locking horns with Manning by making Mad Robber his best bet in Major Pocket’s race.
“Mad Robber got home very well last start and has come up with barrier 1 over the distance of 2536m,” Young said. “Gary Hall Jr will lead and dictate to victory.”
On-course announcer Ken Casellas believes Pierre Whitby has his hoof on the till.
“Pierre Whitby continues to race with admirable zest and the three-year-old is my best bet,” Casellas said. “I’m confident he is capable of defeating his older and more experienced rivals in race two. He finished powerfully from eighth at the bell when a splendid fifth behind Mister Ardee in much stronger company last week and was a fast-finishing winner at his previous outing.”
RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker has made Son Of A Tiger his best for the night.
“Son Of A Tiger has been pretty impressive over the past couple of weeks,” Walker said. “Gets a good draw and a winnable race here. Like his chances.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has labelled The Bird Dance as his star bet.
“The Bird Dance has been infallible since arriving from New Zealand and will shoot for a hat-trick of wins to round out his three-year-old season,” Havercroft said. “Sat in the breeze and outstayed rivals first-up, prior to leading all-the-way last time out and he looks to have more than his fair share of ability.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes the imposing six-year-old horse Walkinshaw can return from a four-month break as a winner.
“Walkinshaw raced in better company before his spell than he meets on Friday night,” Currall said. “He showed that he’s pretty forward in condition by leading all the way in a trial last Sunday at Byford running home his last 800m in 56.6 and defeating Motu Premier and Mr Mojito. His class will carry him a long way.”
VALUE BETS
HAYDEN: Smoldering Ashes draws to recieve a dream run over the long trip. It’s hard to see him missing a place and he looks a safe each-way bet.
PAT: The Dali Express gets his chance over the 2503 metre journey. From barrier six on the front line of this stand start, I expect Chris Lewis to have him well placed to win.
ERNIE: Spot The Shark has not been placed in his past 24 starts, but is now having his first race since a transfer to Kyle Harper’s stable and could be appreciating a change of environment. The veteran, a winner of 10 races, should be able to take advantage of gate two.
KEN: The inexperienced but highly impressive My Sweet Deal in the opening event is my value bet. She worked hard in the breeze before winning by five lengths from Aliman in a trial at Pinjarra on Sunday morning.
MATT: The FFA looks a keenly contested event. El Hombre has been racing decent and in the sleeper’s role he could surprise at massive odds.
TIM: Walkinshaw is racing first-up and I’m looking forward to seeing him back racing. It’s an intriguing race, but keen to see how he stacks up in this.
RYAN: Mon Lillies possesses great gate speed and will look to use that to her advantage from an inside draw. First-up and has a losing sequence of 21 but will be racing up on the pace and could go well fresh.
WAYNE: Standing-start specialist Cut Above has had two starts back after a little freshen up. She finished hard behind Just Rockon Bye in a mobile last Friday and will appreciate returning to the stand.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
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