The Allwood Stud Mount Eden Sprint (1730m) highlights a cracker 10-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
And the man of the moment - TABradio’s Hayden King, who threw out Luvaflair as his best bet at headquarters on Tuesday night and which duly saluted at juicy odds (20/1 into 10/1) - is urging punters to get onboard Vampiro in the $50,000 sprint.
“Vampiro should scorch to the top in the feature,” King said. “Given the preponderance of leaders to winners in 1730m races alongside his talent, he should be around a $2 chance. In early markets, he has been posted at $3, so he appeals as a strong bet.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning has opted for classy mare Alta Louisa as his star bet.
“Talented four-year-old Alta Louisa, a winner at six of her past 10 starts, has been freshened by trainer Justin Prentice since an unplaced run three weeks ago,” Manning said. “She had shaped as a strong prospect for the $125,000 Mares’ Classic when winning stylishly on August 27 and September 17. Prentice is maintaining his high strike rate and has a big following.”
Manning’s colleague at The West, the newspaper’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on Ideal Agent in race seven.
“Ideal Agent barely worked up a sweat winning here on Tuesday night to record his second win at his third local start,” Havercroft said. “Given the ease of that success and that most of his rivals here have moderate numerical form, I would expect him to working to the top and saluting again.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has made another Greg and Skye Bond-trained horse in Dont Bother Me None as his best.
“Dont Bother Me None is all class,” Young said. “His first-up run was superb and he has had ample time to recover and improve again. He’s a serious horse.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas makes a strong case for Shadow Roll in race two.
“Shadow Roll is a splendid frontrunner and he looks set to lead for Dylan Egerton-Green in race two from the favourable No. 2 barrier,” Casellas said. “He should be at a reasonable quote and I’m more than happy to make him my best bet for the night.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding believes punters can start the night off on a winning note by supporting Machnificent in the opening event.
“Finding winners at GP has been pretty tough in recent weeks and this Friday meeting doesn't look much different,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race one with No. 5 Machnificent. He has a very good record and should add to his tally of wins over the 2536 metre journey.”
Guild president Wayne Currall has opted for Savvy Bromac in race six as his best bet.
“Punters couldn’t have missed Savvy Bromac’s first-up run from a five-month break,” Currall said. “She charged home from the rear in a 28-second last quarter when finishing fourth behind Born To Boogie. She would have derived plenty of benefit from that outing. Load up and watch for her charging late.”
VALUE BETS
HAYDEN: Jay Elle could be the forgotten horse in the final race. Having not raced since February, she was last seen when favourite in the G1 Sales Classic from barrier eight. Things didn't go to plan and she was tailed off, but she has shown remarkable talent.
ERNIE: Dominate The Dojo has not won for more than two years, but he showed a glimpse of form when a close third at Northam last start. The gelding, trained by Kevin Keys, possesses abundant speed.
RYAN: Babyface Adda will be three weeks since his first-up win and though this is harder, might be suited if there is a hot pace in the Mount Eden Sprint.
MATT: As Happy As Larry has the perfect draw and could be an oversight. He was unlucky last run and is capable. Go well.
KEN: For value, I suggest Zazu in the first event. He is a smart frontrunner who showed his liking for leading over 2536m three starts ago.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race two with No. 4 Vivere Damore. I think Shannon Suvaljko can land a double in the first two races on the card and give punters a good return.
WAYNE: I like the way Vespa has been racing of late. He’s drawn to get a cushy run from gate two and looks like a great each-way play in an open event.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week
Good punting.
