Several members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have the same thoughts when it comes to best bets at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas have earmarked Whozideawasthis as their star bet on the 10-event card.
“Whozideawasthis provides the rare instance where a nine-year-old with a 14-run losing sequence can be declared the best bet,” Manning said. “But he appears to have been ideally placed by champion trainer Gary Hall. The gelding ran a close second three starts ago and there have been genuine excuses for subsequent unplaced runs. He faced the breeze on October 16 and was held-up last week.”
And Casellas agrees with his colleague.
“Nine-year-old Whozideawasthis drops significantly in class this week and he is my best bet,” Casellas said. “I predict he will overcome the disadvantage of starting out wide at barrier eight in the Westral Pace. This will be his fourth appearance after a 10-month absence and he looks capable of outsprinting his rivals, of which only one, Be On Guard, has managed a placing at his past three starts.”
TABradio’s Matt Young and that radio station’s Hayden King are also singing from the same hymn sheet. Both announcers are keen on Bettor Be Oscar in race four.
“Bettor Be Oscar has returned well,” Young said. “The four-year-old gelding has the perfect draw where he can roll along and give them plenty to chase.”
And King agrees.
“Bettor Be Oscar has put together two very strong performances since resuming,” King said. “He has tremendous gate speed and I expect him to measure up here and be very hard to beat.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart, Guild president Wayne Currall and longshot guru Pat Harding are keen on Roman Art in race three.
“Roman Art’s form since returning has been good,” Wishart said. “Should be able to hold up this week from the pole and in front won’t be run down.”
Currall agrees.
“Roman Art was held-up at his last start behind the speedy Lord Rosco,” Currall said. “Lord Rosco has franked that form by winning again and Chris Voak will be keen to hold the front with Roman Art. Can’t see anything crossing him and once in front he should prove the testing material.”
Harding makes it a clean sweep.
“An interesting night coming up at GP this Friday and I fully expect horses coming from barrier one to do extremely well,” Harding said. “My best bet of the night comes up in race three with Roman Art coming out of barrier one. He has been most consistent since a spell and with Chris Voak aboard I expect him to win well.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believes punters can get off to a flyer by supporting Bolta in the first.
“Gary Hall Jr has elected to drive Bolta from the pole in a race where his father’s stable starts the second favourite,” Havercroft said. “That lead is good enough for me to think that he will take beating when resuming from a let-up over the sprint trip.”
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: The Last Parisian has gate two and gets his chance to run a big race. He finished second after facing the breeze on October 9. Extra ground was covered by the gelding when he drew barrier six and ran unplaced last start.
KEN: For value, I suggest Trinity Bromac, who has the ability to defy the odds and fight out the finish of the Allwood Stud Farm Pace after starting from the outside barrier in the field of nine. She fought on determinedly, out five wide, when a close-up fourth behind Anvil Rollover at Pinjarra on Monday.
MATT: Henwood Bay will get me again. He is drawn better and should lob closer. He is ready to win.
HAYDEN: Blue Chip Adda has bumped into two unsuitably run races so far this preparation. This race looks like a more genuine pace will be set, so she gets her chance and is a potent sit-sprinter.
WARREN: Arma Indie could be back to form after a solid effort last time out. When she is right she’s a high-class mare and from this draw she can give a great sight.
WAYNE: Consistent squaregaiter My Mdina is shooting for four wins on the trot, but she won’t be sent out as favourite on Friday night. I’m expecting her to get out to each-way odds in this line-up. Winning form is good form and she’ll run another bold race.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race seven with No. 4 Blue Chip Adda. She had some good wins before going for a spell and now at her third start back I think she’s ready to win and give some value to punters.
RYAN: The lightly raced trotter King Of The Roses makes his local debut after running first or second in eight South Australian starts. First-up for over 19 months but has been trialling well.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
