Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have earmarked smart two-year-old Bletchley Park, the consistent Walkinshaw and the enigmatic Bravo Tex as star bets on Friday night’s card at Gloucester Park.
Longshot guru Pat Harding and Guild president Wayne Currall believe punters can get their night off to a flyer by supporting the Mike Reed-trained Bletchley Park in the opening event.
“I think punters can get off to a good start in the first with Bletchley Park,” Harding said. “He comes out of barrier one and should continue on his winning way, particularly with Shannon Suvaljko aboard who has an excellent record of winning from the inside barrier.”
Currall agrees with Harding.
“Bletchley Park turned in a terrific effort to win at headquarters on Tuesday night,” he said. “On that occasion he came from last, tramped three deep for half a lap and still managed to race away in a slick last 800m in 57.4. Looks a good thing from the pole.”
TABradio’s Matt McDermott and GPTV’s Ken Casellas are keen on Walkinshaw maintaining his winning form.
“Walkinshaw had good form around stronger company last time in,” McDermott said. “Is unbeaten in his two runs back from a spell and should be able to overcome barrier 12 to bring up the hat-trick.”
Casellas is in agreement with McDermott.
“Walkinshaw is a highly-promising five-year-old who has a bright future and he looks set to notch his third win from three starts in his current campaign by proving the master of his 11 rivals in the seventh event on Friday night,” Casellas said. “The Ray Williams-trained gelding has the class to overcome the disadvantage of starting from the outside of the back line and he is my best bet on a competitive program.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and The West Australian’s harness racing scribe Ernie Manning believe Bravo Tex can frank his good last-start win at Bunbury by saluting at GP.
“Bravo Tex did plenty of work when saluting at Bunbury last Saturday in easier company,” Havercroft said. “He had been working up to that win and this is not a strong metropolitan maiden.”
Manning agrees with his colleague.
“Bravo Tex was most impressive when he won after facing the breeze at Bunbury last Saturday night and should now boost his city strike rate,” Manning said. “He has won at only one of 18 Gloucester Park starts, but the gelding produced creditable performances there when recently finishing second and fourth after covering extra ground.”
TABradio’s Matt Young believes the promising Chiaroscuro can deliver on Friday night.
“Punters have to wait to the lucky last for the good thing of the night,” Young said. “Chiaroscuro is racing really well and with the draw advantage over his main danger looks the leader and winner here.”
VALUE BETS
Pat: The Justin Prentice-trained Bravo Tex should deliver the goods for punters. Barrier nine should not be a problem given that the race is over 2536 metres.
Wayne: Estilo has run some cheeky races from the rails draw and he, once again, gets the opportunity to place from the pole in a moderate affair.
Matt M: Iceenothink is better drawn compared to his last two starts when getting back. He was a winner leading throughout three starts ago from barrier two. Should be in a forward spot to take advantage here.
Ken: For value, I suggest nine-year-old Oneonthewood in the sixth event. He will start from the inside of the back line and the veteran of 165 starts should appreciate a soft run before unwinding a strong finishing burst.
Ryan: Whenmechief grew a leg when he last drew the pole to win here three weeks ago after five unplaced local runs. Up in class but the draw brings him into calculations.
Ernie: Leftrightgoodnight can take advantage of gate one and should be prominent despite unplaced runs at his past six appearances. He had difficulty getting clear before finishing fifth last Friday night.
Matt Y: Bebrave comes up with a good draw. Kyle Harper drives and he likes to free roll in front. This is the horse’s best chance to win a race in town in my opinion.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
