Most members of the WA Trotting Media Guild expect classy four-year-old Jack Mac to make amends for his last-start sixth in the 4YO Championship when he steps out in the Golden Nugget Prelude (2130m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Veteran tipster Stuart Lowe, TABradio’s Matt Young and RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker have all made the Barry Howlett-trained horse their best bet on the 10-event card.
Lowe summed up the thoughts of his colleagues when he suggested punters should forgive Jack Mac for his first unplaced run on Australian soil.
“My best bet is Jack Mac, who followed seven straight wins with an unplaced run here last week,” Lowe said. “He did a power of work and faded to sixth from barrier eight in that race. Well drawn here and should return to the winners’ list.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes prolific winner Our Max Phactor can continue on his winning way.
“Our Max Phactor appears set to continue a winning run when he switches back to a stand after three appearances in mobiles,” Manning said. “He has the imposing record of seven wins in nine races from standing starts and his overall WA tally is 10 victories from 11 races.”
But GPTV’s Ken Casellas, who tipped nine winners last week, believes As Happy As Larry could cause an upset.
“Our Max Phactor and Mr Mojito will be all the rage in the stand, but I aim to buck the odds by selecting the largely unheralded As Happy As Larry as my best bet on the program,” Casellas said. “The Robbie Williams-trained and driven seven-year-old has resumed racing after a spell in fine fashion and he is a reliable standing-start performer. As Happy As Larry excelled last Friday night when he raced three wide early before working hard in the breeze and fighting on grandly to be second to Mitch Maguire, with a final 800m in 56.3sec.”
Longshot king Pat Harding believes classy mare Eden Franco will win the $125,000 Mares Classic (2536m), despite drawing wide.
“After a great win two weeks ago, Eden Franco looks the goods in the main race,” Harding said. “Although drawing barrier nine, I am sure driver Colin Brown will have her well placed to come home like a train over the longer trip.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has labelled Machrie in the last race as his star bet.
“Machrie took lengths off Luis Alberto late when they were both placed behind Free To Air two weeks ago,” Havercroft said. “He is racing well and will have the right run to figure again.”
Budding racecaller Hayden King is a fan of Talktomeurmattjesty.
“Talktomeurmattjesty is blessed with excellent gate speed and should zoom to the lead after the start,” King said. “From there he is one of - if not the class runner - the best in the line-up and will take no end of running down.”
TABradio’s Matt McDermott has thrown out consistent mare Innocent Affair as his best.
“She has enjoyed a good season thus far with four wins and four seconds from just 10 starts,” McDermott said. “Barrier two with her good gate speed means she’ll be there again fighting out the finish.”
Guild president Wayne Currall, who shared the tipping honours last week with Ken when he jagged nine, believes punters can boost their bank early doors with The Art Form.
“I thought he would come out running from his wide draw last week,” Currall said. “However, he may have been a tad underdone, but this week I’m expecting Mark Reed to set him alight from the get go and adopt catch-me-if-you-can tactics.”
VALUE BETS
Stuart: My value bet is Talktomeurmattjesty, who impressed when he did plenty of work before breezing and finishing fourth in a strong field last week. Looks well suited here.
Matt Y: Mary Catherine is my throw at the stumps in the Group 1 Mares Classic. It will be a tactical affair and if she gets the right breaks she can surprise at big odds.
Tim: Northern Emperor placed behind Bright Diamond last week, who could be in contention for a Nugget start next week. Looks like he should get a nice run through here and can play a big part in the finish once more.
Ernie: Benhope Rulz is capable of bounding back into Golden Nugget calculations after unplaced runs at his past three starts. He struck interference in two of his recent races.
Ken: For value, I suggest 10-year-old veteran Our Jimmy Johnstone in race six, in which he has the speed and strength to play a significant role.
Pat: In race nine, fresh off a win, Free To Air from barrier one should give punters a good sight and I expect the two Christophers - trainer Chris King and driver Chris Voak - to prevail.
Ryan: Costa Del Magnifico has begun well at his last two runs, both in standing-start events. He's an each-way prospect in a small field.
Hayden: Mary Catherine has Gary Hall Jr aboard and has been racing deceptively well, although not in terms of numerical form. Can drop to the pegs and race three back in a high-pressure contest and cause a major boilover.
Matt M: Maczaffair’s backline draw means we should get a better price and if the the race works out her way she can knock them off.
Wayne: Heez About To Rock could secure a cushy run for master reinsman Chris Lewis behind expected leader Talktomeurmattjesty and could add value to the exotics.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
