The crew at the WA Trotting Media Guild have come up with plenty of specials for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
Some members have even clashed in their best bets.
TABradio’s Matt Young believes Lord Rosco has the pace to cross the field and post an all-the-way victory in the Vale Joe Iemma Pace.
“Lord Rosco has the speed to lead and win his race on Friday,” Young said. “Forget his last run and focus on loading up here.”
But that’s not the way that longshot guru Pat Harding or The West Australian’s Ernie Manning see the race.
“My best bet comes in race eight with Nota Bene Denario coming out of barrier No.1,” Harding said. “In this small field he should dominate and record a well-earned win after knocking on the door at his last three starts.”
And Ernie agrees.
“New Zealand import Nota Bene Denario had a change of barrier draw luck when coming up with one for a mobile start and he looks hard to beat after a run of minor placings,” he said. “The Gary Hall-trained gelding drew gates six and seven at mobile starts when he finished second and third, respectively, in the past fortnight. A winner of six Kiwi races, he won a standing start event at his WA debut last month and was subsequently placed from a stand. But he is now shaping well in mobiles.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas is keen on Mirragon in the GPHR Sprint.
“Mirragon is at his best when he sets the pace, and from the No. 1 barrier over 1730m on Friday night he makes strong appeal and therefore is my best bet for the night,” Casellas said. “He had a tough run without cover before wilting to finish fourth behind Caveman over 1730m last Friday night. He was untroubled to lead when he won easily from Poisedtopounce and The Code Breaker at his previous outing.”
TABradio’s Hayden King believes punters can line their pockets early doors by jumping on Sheez Our Hope in the second race.
“Sheez Our Hope trialed encouragingly heading into this run, barely being run down by the classy Major Times,”King said. “She’s well drawn and could comfortably measure up as one of our top mares in the coming weeks.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is a fan of Boom Tim in the opening event.
“Boom Time is shooting for a hatrick of wins and has shown versatility in his last couple, winning from in front and when coming from the rear,” Havercroft said. “The small field means he won’t settle far from them and he can win again.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart is upbeat about Shanway’s prospects in race three.
“This looks a good race for Shanway,” Wishart said. “Game in defeat in the quick back-up last start after a strong win from the No.1 draw prior. Should lead and win.”
Guild president Wayne Currall is sticking with his old favourite, Euphoric Moment in the last race on the nine-event card.
“Euphoric Moment has finally found the right race,” Currall said. “He’s drawn to lead and he loves the longer trip – he ticks a lot of boxes here. Deni Roberts will be pushing hard to keep the front and if she manages to hold up they won’t run him down.”
VALUE BETS
MATT: Cordero is going to get a soft run and his form is good without luck. If he gets some luck he can win at odds in the Pure Steel.
PAT: My value bet comes in the last race of the night with No. 7 Smart Fortune. With Chris Voak aboard and in a small field, I think he has an excellent chance to give punters a win.
ERNIE: Rocknroll Whitby has not won in his past 18 starts, but he impressed when finishing a close third after facing the breeze at Gloucester Park on Tuesday night. It was an improved effort after unplaced runs at his previous eight starts and he could be ready to show some of the ability which has won him eight Gloucester Park events.
KEN: For value, I suggest Smart Fortune, who should prove hard to beat in the 2536m Etch Coating Pace despite starting from the outside barrier in the seven-horse field. He surged home from ninth at the bell when a close third behind Space Junk a fortnight ago.
HAYDEN: My Mdina has the handicap advantage over key rivals and should lob in a prominent position. She finished off gamely last start, reflecting form strong enough to be hard to pass in this.
RYAN: On Fast Forward is faultless from the stand and his recent efforts have been sound. Looks a good each-way prospect in an even trotting field.
WARREN: I think Tokyo Joe is a great chance in this under the handicap and distance conditions of the race. Placed off 70m first-up, then not beaten far last run after facing the breeze. With a nice head start on the favourite he is a great each-way chance.
WAYNE: At a meeting where value is hard to find, I think Thereugo can run a race at odds. He’s drawn behind likely leader Shanway and his form has been OK of late. Looks a definite quinella or trifecta player.
Click here to view all of the media guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
