31 January 2020 | Wayne Currall
It’s a mixed bag of best bets from members of the WA Trotting Media Guild for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and longshot guru Pat Harding are the only two tipsters to agree on a best bet, with both gentlemen urging punters to jump on Our Alfie Romeo.
“Sydney-bound Our Alfie Romeo will appreciate a drop to fillies and mares company after her creditable sixth in the WA Pacing Cup,” Manning said. “Co-trainers Greg and Skye Bond plan to enter her in the $200,000 Ladyship Mile at Menangle on February 29. She deserves her chance in the NSW feature after winning 18 races, including 10 at Gloucester Park, in a 37-start career. Barrier one is a bonus for her this week.”
And Harding agrees.
“With some very disappointing fields at GP on Friday night, I expect barrier one to play a large part in finding winners,” Harding said. “As a result, my best bet comes up in race nine with Our Alfie Romeo. She has been a very consistent performer and from the inside draw I believe she will record another victory.“
TABradio’s Hayden King is keen on the freewheeling Saleahs Command as his best for the evening.
“I think Saleahs Comand will sizzle across the field at the start from the wide gate and take up the running,” King said. ”From there, I think he will be too brilliant to catch.”
Veteran harness racing scribe Ken Casellas believes punters can start the night off on a winning note by supporting Dontstopbelievin.
“Young trainer Corey Peterson has Dontstopbelievin racing in fine style and the five-year-old mare is my best bet on Friday night when she starts from barrier five in the opening event,” Casellas said. ”Kim Prentice will be in the sulky, with Peterson opting to take four drives at Busselton. Dontstopbelievin has worked hard in the breeze at her past three outings for a runaway win at Albany, a close second to Pick My Pocket and a good third to Tyler Brett. She is ready to break through for a well-deserved win.“
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft says Handsandwheels can make amends for a most unlucky fourth in the WA Pacing Cup.
“ Handsandwheels was steaming home in the Pacing Cup when seeing daylight for the first time in the closing stages,” Havercroft said. “He should be able to boot up this week from his best draw in almost nine months and looks hard to topple.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart believes punters can go home on a winning note by backing Gardys Legacy.
“My best bet is in race 10 No.2 Gardys Legacy – I’m saving the best for last on a most disappointing program for a Friday night,” Wishart said. ”Gardys Legacy has come back this preparation in terrific order. On a night with at least six odds-on favourites, he will be the last leg of many multis and will win easily.“
Guild president Wayne Currall believes perennial bridesmaid Our Rhythm N Blues will finally crack it for a win on Friday night.
“Our Rhythm N Blues has finished in the money at all of his starts since returning from a spell,” Currall said. “He hasn’t been able to break through for that elusive victory, but he gets the chance to right that wrong against one of the weakest fields he’ll ever meet at headquarters.”
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: Itsnotova has an eight-run losing sequence, but he impressed when a first-up fourth after covering extra ground last Friday night. The David Thompson-trained gelding’s five-month break from racing appears to have been beneficial and he could regain form that has won him five races.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race seven with yet another barrier one position. Braeview Bondi has been a model of consistency and I expect Michael Grantham to bounce him out, lead and win.
HAYDEN: Itsnotova is poorly drawn but Major Shard has proven vulnerable when leading over this track and distance. Itsnotova worked three-wide first up, but still produced a strong effort so he is right in contention.
KEN: For value, I suggest Itsnotova in race two. He impressed at his first outing for five months when he sustained a powerful burst, out wide, from last at the bell to finish fourth behind Black Cardinal last week.
RYAN: Lightning Jolt made a sustained three-wide run last week and was doing his best work on the line when chasing home You Gotta Have Faith. Should still be improving after three runs since resuming.
WARREN: Dontstopbelievin’s recent efforts suggest a win is not too far away. This looks a weaker assignment than what she has been meeting of late and the indicative price of $6 looks very appealing.
WAYNE: Parisian Partygirl could be the forgotten horse in the opening race on the 10-event card. This is a significant drop in class for the mare and she has a habit of finishing hard off a solid pace. Looks great each-way value.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
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