An exciting night of pacing, highlighted by the running of the $100,000 Group 1 2YO Pearl Classic (2130m), will attract plenty of interest from harness racing fans at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have been burning the midnight oil in an effort to provide punters with their best bets on the mammoth 11-event card.
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can add to their bank early doors by supporting Louie The Horse in the opening event.
“Louie The Horse is best known as a standing-start specialist,” Currall said. “But astute punters will remember that the last time he drew the pole at headquarters he recorded an all-the-way victory. Leading reinsman Ryan Warwick will be keen to fire ‘Louie’ out of the gate and hold the advantage on the rails over the sprint trip.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is confident Rakasinc can go one better than last week in race two.
“Great to see 11 races at GP and some good fields,” Harding said. “I have a feeling it is going to be a tough night all round.
My best bet comes up in race two with No. 5 Rakasinc. He ran a good second last week and I think that over the 2536 metre journey Emily Suvaljko can guide him home.”
TABradio’s Hayden King is keen on Born To Boogie in the third event.
“Born To Boogie is two from two in WA and I can only see her continuing to progress,” King said. “She's run the times of a proper horse and is going to be fearsome later in the year heading toward the Mares' Classic. She has the draw to dominate.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is confident boom three-year-old colt Lavra Joe can take on the older horses and emerge victorious.
“Lavra Joe is one of the most exciting pacers to grace our tracks in recent times and Ray Jones has his charge taking on the older horses this week after winning the 3YO Pearl Classic last month,” Havercroft said. “The only other time he raced outside of his own age group, he decimated a standing start field at Bunbury, winning by 17.4m after coming off a 30m back mark. A win here would take his career earnings beyond $300,000.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas are keen on Nota Bene Denario in race nine.
“The Gary Hall-trained New Zealand import Nota Bene Denario fought on tenaciously to run a close second after facing the breeze last Friday night and he looks primed for a return to the winners’ list,” Manning said. “The six-year-old, showing typical toughness of former Kiwis in the Hall stable, has recorded two Gloucester Park wins and six places from nine WA starts. He won six races before launching his WA career in April and should continue to be a solid punting proposition in events that are below top level.”
And Caselllas agrees.
Nota Bene Denario is racing in wonderful form and thoroughly deserves the accolade of my best bet at Gloucester Park this week when he has the ability to overcome an awkward draw at barrier five in the Catalano Truck And Equipment Pace,” Casellas said. “He was restrained from the No. 8 barrier last Friday night before dashing forward, three wide, to move to the breeze 1300m from home and then taking the lead approaching the home turn before being beaten in the final stride by the flying Jaspervellabeach.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has made Arma Einstein his best for the night.
“Arma Einstein has been racing really well,” Young said. “He is a versatile type and looks very hard to beat.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: Henwood Bay has drawn to get a cosy run in race two. He loves the longer journey and could be dangerous late if they run along in front. Looks a good each-way play.
PAT: My double or value bet comes up in race nine with another smart horse in Nota Bene Denario. He ran a very creditable second last week and has been very consistent. I think Gary Hall Jr can bring him home for a well-earned victory.
HAYDEN: Padditude was a resolute closing effort on Tuesday. He has the pace to zip to the front if they desire and, although he still has plenty to learn, is beginning to put the pieces of ability he has together.
RYAN: Alcopony was well beaten in his heat of the 2YO Pearl Classic when held up, but his win at Kellerberrin before that was impressive. Kevin Keys has had success in this race previously with Itsallaboutnicole in 2009.
ERNIE: Six-year-old trotter Tokyo Joe will be suited by his switch back to mobile conditions after unplaced runs from 30m and 80m behind in standing-start events at his past two starts. The gelding, trained and driven by Robbie Williams, has won two mobile start races. His tally in 15 Gloucester Park starts is five wins and five places.
KEN: For value, I suggest Jackpot Joe in the Pearl Classic. He has been showing steady improvement for trainer Barry Howlett and is tough and versatile.
MATT: Bettor Pack It has the perfect draw and will be powering home with some luck.
Click here to view all of the media guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
