30 May 2019 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild – like most punters – are still reeling from last week’s shock loss of long odds-on favourite Chicago Bull.
“The Bull” goes around again on Friday night and everyone is prepared to forgive the champ his last-start second.
But it’s two other Gary Hall-trained pacers – last-start winners Tact Major and Ideal Liner -who have attracted the attention of Guild members.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, racecaller Hayden King and RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker have all labelled Ideal Liner as their best bet on Friday night’s 11-event card.
Manning believes Ideal Liner will frank his summer carnival potential with victory.
“Ideal Liner, a feature event contender last year, should be too classy for rivals when he returns to Friday night city competition at the fifth start of his current campaign,” Manning said. “He has been an odds-on winning favourite at three of his appearances this time in.”
King agrees.
“Ideal Liner should be able to overcome the tricky alley,” King said. “He is a very progressive type who will eventually work to FFA company.”
Ditto from Walker.
“Ideal Liner gets back to the main event of Gloucester Park on Friday night,” Walker said. “Hall has a massive opinion of this horse and I think he can progress to fast class very quickly. Should be beating this field.”
TABradio’s Matt Young and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believe Tact Major can lead all the way in the sprint event.
“Tact Major proved too strong last start and comes down to the mile drawn the ace,” Young said. “He has the speed and staying power to run his rivals into the ground.”
And Havercroft agrees.
“Tact Major gets the coveted barrier one in a race where his main rivals are drawn awkwardly,” Havercroft said. “It will be his 10th start in as many weeks since resuming and he can repeat last Friday’s success when he won from the breeze.”
Multiple winner of the Guild’s tipping competition Stuart Lowe is keen on Madame Meilland.
“My best bet is the luckless Madame Meilland, who rattled home last week to run a close-up fourth to Our Alfie Romeo in 1.55.3. after being held up early,” Lowe said. “Better drawn here in two and can win with an ounce of luck.”
Longshot king Pat Harding is pinning his hopes on Double Expresso.
“The standout for me comes up in race five, the Diamond Classic Final for the two-year-olds,” Harding said. “Double Expresso has had a brilliant campaign and should top it off with a fine win in this race.”
Guild president Wayne Currall has made polemarker Heza Head Honcho his best bet.
“Heza Head Honcho has been disadvantaged by wide draws at his last two starts,” Currall said. “He’s a brilliant beginner and from the ace champion reinsman Chris Lewis will be looking to make every post a winner.”
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: Zennart, restricted by soundness issues, is a rising eight-year-old whose career tally strands at 10 wins from 18 starts. Likely to show top form first-up and is capable of scoring his ninth Gloucester Park victory.
HAYDEN: Blockjorg was enormous in her heat of the Diamond Classic but the draw is a real blow. Will be at odds and with sufficient luck can play a part.
TIM: Prepared to forgive Ideal One’s last start after doing work outside Speed Man. Think there may be an early burn here for the lead, which could make this horse a dangerous customer late in the race.
MATT: Blockjorg was an outstanding run in the heat of the Diamond Classic, draw isn’t to suit but the race could be run to suit and she’s worth an each-way bet.
RYAN: Sarah Goody pulled up sore last time out and missed away from the stand the start before that. I’m forgiving those two efforts and expecting improvement here.
STUART: My value bet is King Of Swing who has won three of his last five – one in 1.54.5 over 2130m. Fair effort last week in FFA company, but better suited here because he has the class runners drawn outside of him.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race three in Our Jimmy Johnstone. He hasn’t had a great deal of luck in recent times, however coming out of barrier two over the sprint distance I think he has an excellent chance.
WAYNE: Dominate The Dojo ran a great race behind Speed Man last Friday night. He has explosive speed from the machine and could give them something to catch if he finds the front.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
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