The WA harness racing industry was saddened this week by the passing of one its finest gentleman - Robbie Dewar.
Robbie, who was a long-serving member of the WA Trotting Media Guild, had been in declining health over the past few years with Parkinson’s Disease.
Nevertheless, his death at the age of 64 sent shockwaves through the industry.
Robbie loved the trots … and the people in the trotting industry loved him in kind. He will be sorely missed.
On behalf of the WA Trotting Media Guild, and the harness racing industry in general, we send our sincere condolences to Robbie’s wife of 32 years, Wendy, his beloved daughter Rebecca and the Dewar family.
Rest In Peace “Big Fella”.
Friday night’s huge 11-event card will pay tribute to the former postie/journalist in race three with the running of the Vale Robbie Dewar Pace.
Pat Harding, a former radio colleague of Robbie’s, has fittingly found his best bet in the third.
“It will be a sad night this week as we remember our Media Guild colleague Robbie Dewar,” Harding said. “In fact, my best bet of the night comes up in race three - the Vale Robbie Dewar Pace with No. 7 Angel In White. It is very much an omen bet, but I think Shannon Suvaljko can bring her home.”
However, TABradio’s Matt Young sees a different scenario.
“Typhoon Banner is fitter for the run and has brilliant gate speed,” Young said. “I expect to see him crossing to the top and from there he should get the job done.”
Ernie Manning, the pacing expert from The West Australian and the Sunday Times, and Ryan Havercroft, the racing co-ordinator at The West, believe punters should pin their faith to The Amber Hare.
“Former Sydney mare The Amber Hare has won eight events and been unplaced only once in 13 starts since she began racing for trainer-reinswoman Jocelyn Young last June,” Manning said. “The four-year-old won at two consecutive Gloucester Park appearances ahead of finishing third when she covered extra ground from a back-line draw in the Group 1 Norms Daughter Classic last Friday night.”
And Havercroft agrees with his colleague.
“The Amber Hare was brave last week after leading up the three-wide train to only be beaten 2.6m by Eighteen Carat in the Norms Daughter Classic after drawing the back line,” Havercroft said. “Prior to that the Jocelyn Young-trained mare had won at five of her last six races and can lob straight on the pace here from barrier five.”
Media Guild president Wayne Currall is keen on Himself in race nine the stand.
“Himself ran a mighty race when he finished a close second behind stablemate Tenzing Bromac at headquarters last week,” Currall said. “He’s a seasoned standing-start performer with his nine starts behind the strands, both in New Zealand and in WA, producing seven wins and two seconds. He’s the one they all have to beat.”
VALUE BETS
PAT: My double comes up in race nine with the aptly named Robbie Rocket from barrier eight. Sums up our colleague Robbie Dewar in his younger days. With good form and Gary Hall Jr aboard he should prove a good bet for punters.
MATT: Woodlea Ragnar is racing better than his numerical form suggests. He should get a good run and be dangerous late.
ERNIE: Rockstar Rebel has talent and should not be overlooked despite having won only once in his past 15 starts. The gelding was unplaced in his last seven appearances, but he has won twice at Gloucester Park and is capable of being prominent.
RYAN: Sameplace Sametime often goes around at long prices and shows up often enough to entertain an each-way investment. Barrier two gives driver Hayden Charles a few options.
WAYNE: Armed Reactor has been impressive for Gary Hall Jr since he took over the training duties of the horse. He was impressive in his last-start GP victory and could go on with it here.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.