How would you like to be going to Gloucester Park on Friday night with your horse running for a first-prize cheque of more than $100,000?
That’s what awaits some lucky owner/owners when their pacer lines up in the $215,000 Allwood Stud 2YO Fillies Westbred Classic (2130m) or the $215,000 Allwood Stud 2YO Colts & Geldings Westbred Classic (2130m).
Both Group 1 features highlight a star-studded night of action at the “ribbon of light”.
However, members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have looked elsewhere when assessing the 10-event card for their star bets.
Guild president Wayne Currall kicks the show off with his best bet in the first race.
“I’m quite bullish about Captain Bligh,” Currall said. “The Captaintreacherous gelding was a nine-start maiden in his New Zealand homeland when he entered the stables of champion trainer Gary Hall Sr. He’s been very impressive at his two starts in WA - a commanding all-the-way 44m win on debut at Pinjarra and his outstanding effort to record a 15m victory over Hotly Pursued on Tuesday night at headquarters. Drawn to find the top and from there he’s the one to beat.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has opted for veteran pacer Galactic Star as his best for the evening.
“On paper it looks like a tough night at GP,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race four with the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Galactic Star. Coming out of barrier one I think he should win again.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas and TABradio’s Matt Young have made classy mare Acharne Girl their best bet.
“Acharne Girl resumed after a two-month absence in fine style last week when she finished strongly to win from Lucca,” Casellas said. “She is sure to be improved by the outing and should repeat the dose in race nine on Friday night. Therefore I’m more than happy to make her my star bet.”
And Young agrees.
“Acharne Girl was dominant in her win on return,” Young said. “She should strip fitter here and I thought she would dominate from the breeze or even the top. Thought she was the standout on the program.”
Ryan Havercroft, fresh from a two-week bowling holiday on the Gold Coast, is a patient young man.
The racing-co-ordinator at The West Australian has held fire until the last race on the program.
“Ira Poole has compiled six wins in Victoria including a Ballarat win four starts ago and finds a comfortable race for his local debut,” Havercroft said. “The son of Falcon Seelster has not been seen at trials, but in three months since last appearing at Melton he is sure to have had some Gary Hall Sr polish applied for his first-up assignment.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: I’m pinning my hopes on another all-up. And I’m throwing it all on a Senior/Junior treble. Captain Bligh into Acharne Girl finishing with Ira Poole. Go you good things!
PAT: My double comes up in race nine No.4 Let It Linga. Unlucky last week but in this small field should record another good win.
KEN: A massive drop in class should enable The Code Breaker to return to the winning list when he starts from barrier five in race two. He should carry too many guns for Rascal and Musztang.
MATT: San Remo Beach caught the eye last time out and is perfectly drawn. Looks a good place chance first and slight winning chance to boot. Go well.
RYAN: I think the value appears in the smallest field of the night, with Master Publisher looking for a hat-trick from the outside (barrier six) in a very even contest.
Click Here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.
