With two of the WA Trotting Guild members away, it’s a smaller column than usual this week.
However, despite the lack of numbers we will still endeavour to give punters the “good oil” at Friday’s Gloucester Park meeting.
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can profit by supporting Ragazzo Mach in race three.
“Ragazzo Mach impressed with a great second first-up behind Beat City off a three-month break in early May,” Currall said. “Trainer Mike Reed would have put a bit of work into him since then and from gate two I can see Shannon Suvaljko sending him straight to the top. From there he’s the one they all have to catch.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding, who was nudged off his perch last week as having the longest-priced winner this season when The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft found Regal Cheval at the juicy odds of $12.90, has vowed to fight back.
In the meantime, Harding is of the opinion that given the forecast weather conditions at GP this Friday night there could be a few upsets. But his star bet is a topical tip on what’s expected to be a wet and wild night.
“My best bet is in race four with No. 2 Magnificent Storm,” he said. “With only a small field - and although first-up after a spell - this quality horse should win well.”
Veteran journalist Ken Casellas is keen on In The Spotlight in race eight.
“In The Spotlight will relish a return to competing against her own sex when she begins from the favourable No. 2 barrier in the Simmonds Steel Pace for three-year-old fillies on Friday night,” Casellas said. “The Greg and Skye Bond-trained In The Spotlight has impressed in winning at her past three starts in which she proved too good for her eight gelding rivals at Pinjarra on Monday, beat her six rivals (all geldings) at Gloucester Park at her previous outing, and before that won at Kellerberrin in an event which included one colt and four geldings. She is my stand-out and best bet for the night.”
TABradio’s Hayden King and The West Australian’s Ernie Manning have opted for Between Two Thorns as their best on the 10-event card.
“Between Two Thorns was only snatched late last week after appearing to have the race at her mercy,” King said. “Despite being drawn wide, I think she has the class edge to win regardless.”
And Manning agrees.
“Talented two-year-old Between Two Thorns is expected to be fitter after a close third last Friday night at her first start for almost four months,” Manning said. “The Aiden De Campo-trained filly flagged a bright future in her impressive winning debut at Gloucester Park last February when she scored from smart pair Cabsav and Spiritofanangel after setting the pace.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: Cowboys N Bandits galloped out at his first go at the strands a fortnight ago. The horse has a 50 per cent winning strike rate and could give them something to catch at odds if champion reinsman Chris Lewis can get him to pace away safely.
PAT: My double comes up in race five with No. 5 Ezana. This horse will be at good odds and should give Emily Suvaljko a good win.
KEN: For value I suggest Typhoon Banner in race three. He is racing in superb form for trainer-reinsman Dylan-Egerton-Green and has excellent prospects of beating the high-priced and highly regarded Ragazzo Mach.
HAYDEN: Ezana was harried in front last week on a track that did not suit pegs horses. Prior, his form was excellent and, even though awkwardly drawn, is in this up to his ears.
ERNIE: Bettor My Dreamz has not won in his past 12 starts and it is almost 18 months since he last recorded a victory. But the gelding drew barrier one when racing third-up this week and he will switch from a standing start to the mobile barrier. Each of his four wins have been from mobiles. He could open his Gloucester Park winning account.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
