Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are united in their view that a runner from the yard of husband and wife team Greg and Skye Bond - the leading trainers in WA this season - will win Friday night’s $200,000 Group 1 Golden Nugget (2536m) at Gloucester Park.
But the $64,000 question, or more correctly the $128,000 question - the first-prize cheque for winning the Nugget - is which of the six Bond runners will reign supreme?
Most believe it will be Ana Malak, who won the $125,000 4YO Classic (2130m) a fortnight ago when he was having only his eighth start in a race and his first look at headquarters.
He draws the same gate as he did two weeks ago and Ryan Warwick will be looking for another all-the-way victory.
RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker and longshot maestro Pat Harding have made Ana Malak their best bet for the night.
“Expect star four-year-old of the season Ana Malak to complete a clean sweep here,” Walker said. “The draw has helped him again. He should be able to hold the front as he did a fortnight ago and lead home what could be a stable first four with some luck.”
And Harding agrees.
“I believe the Bond stable will dominate the Golden Nugget and my top selection is Ana Malak coming from barrier one,” Harding said. “His last two runs have been spectacular and I expect him to make it three in a row.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas and veteran tipster Stuart Lowe are keen on Our Angel Of Harlem.
“Our Angel of Harlem should appreciate starting from the No. 1 barrier for the first time in 16 starts in WA when she begins from the pole in race six on Friday night,” Casellas said. “I recommend that you completely overlook her 10th behind Millview Sienna last Friday night.”
Lowe is in agreement with his colleague.
“My best bet is Our Angel Of Harlem, who struck severe interference in last week’s Westral Classic and finished out of the money,” Lowe said. “Her previous form was outstanding and with the pole draw this looks her race.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and the racing co-ordinator at The West Ryan Havercroft believe Saying Grace can win again.
“Saying Grace, shaping to be yet another class performer for the all-conquering Bond stable, has the class to overcome gate eight,” Manning said. “Astutely handled since arriving from New Zealand early this season, he can score his second Gloucester Park victory.”
Havercroft is of the same mindset.
“Saying Grace exploded once he saw daylight upon straightening for home last week,” Havercroft said. “Form prior to that had been good and he looks to have the class to overcome a wide draw in his Christmas Gift heat.”
Budding racecaller Hayden King has thrown out Runaway Three as his best for the night.
“Runaway Three should settle close enough in the run and is racing in career-best form,” King said. “Very confident that he'll get the right run and prove too classy.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is keen on the chances of comeback pacer Mr Mojito.
“Mr Mojito has had two runs back from a spell and both have been impressive, looks his race on Friday night,” Young said.
Guild president Wayne Currall believes champion reinsman Chris Lewis can hunt Bettor Finish out from his rails draw and lead all the way in the seventh race on the card.
“Bettor Finish is not blessed with speed from the machine,” Currall said. “But Chris Lewis is a master at getting horses away quickly from the mobile and he’ll be mighty hard to run down if he does find the top.”
VALUE BETS
Tim: Gotta Go Gabbana had little luck last week in the Mares Classic. She’s good enough to bounce back here and has her main danger outside of her.
Pat: My value bet for the night comes up in race nine with No. 2 Campora. Lauren Jones has a habit of bobbing up on horses from the Gary Hall stable, particularly when they have drawn well. I think Campora will give punters a very good sight.
Ken: For value, I suggest Scoobys Delight in race eight in which the Matt Saw-trained six-year-old is favourably drawn at barrier one and should make the most of his gate speed and frontrunning capabilities.
Stuart: My value bet is Bettor Aim, who has won all five WA starts brilliantly. He steps up in class here but is well drawn and has good each-way claims.
Ernie: Thereugo, a winner of 13 races at Gloucester Park, should never be underrated. He has drawn the front line, after running fifth from the second row at his last start.
Ryan: Walkinshaw never got into the race when three wide for a lap before being restrained and finishing at the tail of the field two weeks ago. Can improve sharply.
Hayden: Bettor Aim missed the 4YO Classic but should secure a soft trip just off the pace and finish with brilliance. Fitness may not be an issue as a gentle tempo - relative to other G1s - looks likely. Will have his work cut out to beat the stablemate though.
Matt: Runaway Three is racing well and is an each-way chance in the small field.
Wayne: American Dynasty is racing in career-best form with three wins from his last four starts. He should get a nice run from his second-line draw and will be charging home late.
Members of the Guild wish Greg and Skye Bond, Ryan Warwick and connections the best of luck with their Inter Dominion Final runner Galactic Star on Saturday night at Melton. The WA pacer has drawn ideally in gate one and is capable of winning with the right run in transit.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
