07 January 2021 | Wayne Currall
Bit of a mixed bag from members of the WA Trotting Media Guild for Gloucester Park’s first meeting of 2021.
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas and TABradio’s Matt Young have made The Last Drop their best bet on the nine-race card.
“Kristy Sheehy’s promising five-year-old The Last Drop relishes setting the pace, and he looks the likely leader from barrier one in race three on Friday night,” Casellas said. “Therefore, I’m happy to make him my best bet against some strong finishers Quick Stride, Machlani and Power And Grace.”
And Young agrees.
“The Last Drop was in all sorts last start and forget he went around,” Young said. “He has returned well and excels in the lead, should go the journey in front.”
But Guild president disagrees with Casellas and Young, and has made Machlani his best bet for the meeting.
“Machlani was a good thing beaten last start,” Currall said. “He was blocked for runs a couple of times and never real saw daylight when he finished fifth behind Ideal Investment at his first start after a six-month spell. The horse would have derived plenty of benefit from that hit-out and with Gary Hall Jr in the cart can win here.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart, the winner of last season’s tipping competition, and longshot guru Pat Harding, who again took out the prize for finding the longest-priced winner, are both keen on Lawrence in the opening event.
“Lawrence looks a classy customer,” Wishart said. “Nice win on Monday and despite the draw at No. 9 looks a bit too good for them.”
And Harding agrees.
“My best bet of the night comes up in race one with No. 9 Lawrence,” Harding said. “He is likely to start favourite but even from the wide barrier I expect him to prevail over the 2536 metres.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes winning form is good form and has made Somebeachparty his best for the night.
“Top reinsman Gary Hall Jr gets the chance to maintain an unbeaten record with Somebeachparty, who is poised to complete a winning hat-trick,” Manning said. “Hall Jr has won with each of his five drives behind the Barry Howlett-trained mare. She notched only two country victories in her first eight starts, but her past 11 races have resulted in six wins and five seconds. The six-year-old scored clearly in two Gloucester Park events last month.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft says punters should keep their powder dry until the last event.
“Rock Me Over has a losing sequence of 10, but gets his chance to end that run from the perfect draw in the last event,” Havercroft said. “He was collared late by Cant Refuse under the same conditions three starts ago but this doesn’t look any harder.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest the evergreen veteran Our Jimmy Johnstone in race four when he will certainly appreciate a considerable drop in class and has bright prospects of ending a losing sequence of 12.
MATT: Justasec is an improving type in a race that looks to have plenty of speed. He’s a blowout chance in the feature
WAYNE: Shadow Roll ran a good second behind the classy Howard Hughes on Christmas Eve. This race is a drop in class and he could salute at each-way odds.
WARREN: Expect big improvement from Beach Skipper from the low draw in what looks a thin race. Will be nice odds early and will go very close.
PAT: My value bet come up in race six with No. 8 Im Rocknroll Magic. This is a wide open race with not one of the nine runners recording a win in their last five races. This is a real chance for Deb and Chris Lewis to bring home the bacon at good odds.
ERNIE: Diamond Life ran only ninth when resuming, but should quickly regain the form he showed in three Gloucester Park wins at consecutive starts last September and October. The gelding won three New Zealand races before arriving in WA.
RYAN: Thereugo could lead them if Lindsay Harper utilises his pacer’s early toe. Does his best work when in front.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting and a Happy, Healthy New Year from the members of the WA Trotting Media Guild.
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