There’s a certain sense of symmetry about Ken Casellas’ best bet at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Casellas, the driving force behind the establishment of the WA Trotting Media Guild in 1977 and the organisation’s inaugural president, has opted for the “old bloke” Maximum Demand as his star bet on the 10-event card.
The well-respected octogenarian has sided with Maximum Demand and believes there’s plenty of life left in those old legs.
“It’s not often that I select a 13-year-old pacer with a winning record of just 10 per cent as my star bet for the week,” Casellas said. “But I’ve plumped for the old war horse Maximum Demand to land the bacon in the seventh event at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Maximum Demand has managed just one win from his past 41 starts over the past two years, but he is racing with youthful enthusiasm for Harvey trainer Kevin Egerton-Green and driver Jocelyn Young. He will start off the 10m mark in the 2503m stand and I’m tipping his sparkling finishing burst will carry him to victory.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is keen on the “Crazy Burglar”.
“Mad Robber looks set to score a repeat win for trainer Gary Hall after again drawing barrier one,” Manning said. “He was most impressive when leading from the pole and drawing away to notch victory by almost 6m when a number of tipsters made him their best bet last Friday night. Two weeks ago, the veteran had extended his losing sequence to six and it seemed unlikely he would be successful on consecutive Friday nights. But barrier one can bring a change of fortune.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding and Guild president Wayne Currall believe Our Alfie Romeo can lead all the way.
“ Looks like this Friday could be a good night for Greg and Skye Bond,” Harding said. “My best bet of the night comes up in race five with Our Alfie Romeo coming out of barrier one. She will start favourite but had great form coming into the race and should lead from start to finish.“
Currall agrees.
“Our Alfie Romeo is poised to bounce back from her last-start defeat,” Currall said. “I can see Ryan Warwick firing her to the top from the pole and making them all stretch their necks to get near her.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart is happy to Know When To Run.
“Know When To Run is a talented type fitter for his first-up run,” Wishart said. “Well drawn and looks too good for his opposition.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is riding punters to keeping their powder dry until the last race.
“Tiffany Rose is yet to miss a cheque from 10 lifetime appearances and has won at both local starts,” Havercroft said. ”Mike Reed has lofty ambitions with the filly for later in the season, and so she should be accounting for her small bunch of rivals this Friday.”
TABradio’s form expert Hayden King is talking up the chances of Hy Leexciting.
“Hy Leexciting is drawn to lead and gets another opportunity to win one in town,” King said. “He should go all the way.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Just Makemine Diamonds in the opening event in which she is favourably drawn at barrier three. She was hopelessly blocked for a run and was full of running when an eye-catching third behind Dracarys last Friday night.
ERNIE: Cut Above has been beaten at her past seven starts, but gate one gives the five-year-old a chance to bounce back. Her unplaced run last week can be overlooked because she got her tongue over the bit and broke gait. The mare has won 12 races, including four at Gloucester Park.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race six with Space Junk. There's not a great deal of exposed form in this race but I think the Olivieri/Voak combination should prevail.
WAYNE: The smart Zennart is first-up after a four-month spell, but will give them something to chase if he’s anywhere near his top.
WARREN: Just Rockon Bye‘s overall form is strong. From this draw, I’m expecting her to get a nice run on the pegs. I’m expecting the gaps to open and look for her late. I think the indicative price of $21 is great value.
RYAN: Eden Franco didn't show much last time in but is classy and has had four weeks off since her fading first-up fifth behind Just Rockon Bye. Will be at luxury odds.
HAYDEN: Regal Ambition has been a quiet achiever recently and if the cards fall his way in the first he will be competitive.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
