The Group 1 Fremantle Cup (2536m) is the feature event at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
And the $300,000 race promises to be a “rib-tickler” with pre-draw favourite Magnificent Storm starting out “on the river” in nine.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have steered clear of the feature when selecting their best bets at the meeting.
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can add to their banks early doors by supporting Typhoon Banner in race two.
“The last time Typhoon Banner drew the pole at headquarters he posted an all-the-way victory,” Currall said. “Trainer-driver Dylan Egerton-Green should be able to dictate terms in front over the longer trip and Typhoon Banner appeals as a banker for all-ups and the second leg of the early quaddie.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on Medieval Man in the third.
“I am backing up again with Medieval Man as my best, seeing no reason why he wouldn’t repeat last week’s deed,” Havercroft said. “Once again he is drawn to dictate the speed of the race and polemarker The Kraken is only going fairly, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Gary Hall Jr elected to sit on Medieval Man if he asks the question out of the gate.”
Veteran journalist Ken Casellas believes Mighty Ronaldo can break back into the winners’ list.
“Mighty Ronaldo, winner of the WA Derby last April, is on the doorstep of a wonderful 2022 season, and he makes strong appeal as the winner of race four on Friday night,” Casellas said. “Therefore he is my best bet from the favourable barrier two in an event in which he probably will trail the likely pacemaker Sir Galahad and be saved for a powerful finishing burst. He resumed after an absence of almost nine months last Friday week when he was a certainty beaten, finishing seventh, 111 metres behind the winner Double Up, after being involved in a serious mix-up on the home turn.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is a fan of Papinik.
“Another tough night coming up at GP and I think winners might be a bit hard to find,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race five with with No. 4 Papinik. He’s been a model of consistency and I think can record a good win.”
TABradio’s Matt Young had made Newsy his best for the night.
“Newsy went to the line hard held last start and am confident she can push through and find the top on Friday,” Young said. “She likes to roll along so the pressure coming from Bettor Get It On won’t be of concern. I’m very keen.”
However, that’s not how The West Australian’s Ernie Manning sees the race unfolding.
“New Zealand import Bettor Get It On, ideally suited in fillies and mares company, looked back to her best when she broke through and scored an impressive frontrunning win at Gloucester Park on New Year’s Eve,” Manning said. “The Justin Prentice-trained five-year-old had run seconds at five of her previous six starts. Bettor Get It On was considered a quality pacer after two Kiwi wins and she has notched five victories since launching her WA career last year.”
TABradio’s Hayden King, who was in hot form with seven winners last Friday night, has earmarked Master Leighton as his star bet.
“I feel Master Leighton has a class edge in the last, but it's a shame he's ODM,” King said. “I still feel he can find cover and unleash his powerful finishing burst late to score.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: I’m very keen on Sangue Royale on an each-way basis in the opening event. His trial win in fast time at Pinjarra earlier this month when he defeated Miracle Moose by 39m had “be on me next time” written all over it.
RYAN: Nota Bene Denario is each-way all day for mine at an indicative $9. He never runs a bad race and should sit close enough in a small field.
KEN: For value, I suggest seven-year-old Quick Stride in the final event in which he will start from the outside barrier. He has a losing sequence of 14 and has been unplaced at his past eight starts. But he meets moderate opposition and is capable of unwinding a strong late burst.
PAT: My double comes up in race seven with No. 1 Hotfoot It. Ran a good fourth last week and I think Chris Voak can bring him home from the stand start.
MATT: Quick Stride has the master back aboard and has good form over the longer trip. He’s got a good turn of foot and I’m expecting him to be very dangerous.
ERNIE: Six-year-old Has No Fear, trained and driven by Jocelyn Young, should not be underrated despite unplaced runs at her past four starts. The 2019 WA Oaks winner recorded her 11th victory when successful at Gloucester Park last month. She needs only a little luck to be right in the finish.
HAYDEN: Vampiro is each-way odds in the Fremantle Cup. It is totally tactically dependent - if they elect to lead on Vampiro he becomes the one they all have to gun down.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week
Good punting.
