04 January 2018 | Wayne Currall
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are confidently looking forward to Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
New Zealander Mark Purdon’s two stable stars – Ultimate Machete and Lazarus – will go around as long odds-on favourites and should land the cash.
Apart from those two obvious selections, Guild members believe star mare Maczaffair will continue on her winning way when she takes on the boys in the first heat of the Im Themightyquinn Pace.
Leading tipster Stuart Lowe summed up the thoughts of his colleagues – longshot king Pat Harding, veteran tipster Bill Brindley and Guild president Wayne Currall – when he earmarked last month’s Inters champ Lazarus as his best bet for the night.
“Lazarus is Australasia’s best pacer and has drawn the same barrier that he had when he won the Inter Dominion Final at his last start,” Lowe said. “This looks a much a much easier race to win.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and TABradio’s Matt Young are keen on Maczaffair. Manning spoke for him and Young when he said Maczaffair was poised to repeat last week’s victory.
“Maczaffair has the gate speed to cross and provide a carbon copy of her comfortable all-the-way win in last Friday’s Coulson Final,” Manning said. “Trainer Mike Reed has astutely placed the four-year-old, a WA Oaks winner and Golden Nugget runner-up. He has also skilfully handled her preparation and she shows no sign of training-off.”
On-course announcer Ken Casellas has opted for another mare, Alkiras Desire, as his star bet on the 10-event program.
“Alkiras Desire came up trumps in the random barrier draw with the coveted No. 1 position in the Clipsal By Schneider Electric Pace for mares on Friday night,” Casellas said. “This should give the five-year-old a winning edge over her 10 rivals with champion reinsman Chris Lewis set to attempt an all-the-way victory.”
VALUE BETS
Stuart: Bronze Seeker won well here five starts ago. Has failed to get into his races at four starts since, but the draw here brings him in with each-way claims.
Pat: Inters champion Lazarus and Ultimate Machete will scorch around Gloucester Park and are obviously the best bets of the night. A double is probably the way to go.
Bill: Lazarus and Ultimate Machete look unbeatable, but for some value I’m suggesting Im Rockaria in the third and Starlight Brigade in the ninth.
Wayne: Former Kiwi Bright Diamond ran a great race at Pinjarra last month at her Australian debut. She would have derived great benefit from that outing and can win.
Ernie: Extreme Prince has gate four after he drew unfavourably and finished last in his past two. The powerful Hall stable is persevering with him despite moderate form.
Matt: Hindu Kumara has drawn beautifully and is a place special I think. But he can also surprise at odds. A strong proposition for first-four backers.
Ken: James Galleon has won at nine of his 29 starts and has been freshened up since he finished 11th on November 17. He has the ability to bounce back to his best form.
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Good punting.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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