The Ross Olivieri-trained Thats Perfect is a popular choice as a best bet with members of the WA Trotting Media Guild for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas and TABradio’s Matt Young believe punters can add to their banks by supporting Thats Perfect in race nine.
“Thats Perfect drops down in class when he starts from an awkward draw at barrier six in the third heat of the 1730m Nights of Thunder on Friday night and he is my best bet for the evening,” Casellas said. “He was doing his best work at the finish when fifth behind Bletchley Park in the Group 2 Village Kid Sprint last week. He is likely to have to work hard in the breeze this week, but I’m sure his class will tell at the finish.”
Young agrees.
“Thats Perfect is coming out of a stronger race and with that run under his belt this should be a good race for him,” Young said. “Small field suits and looks to be speed on.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart is keen on Master Publisher in the opening event.
“No. 2 Master Publisher in the first race is a capable type who looks well placed in this,” Wishart said. “Has gate speed, so he should lead and will be too good for them.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has made prolific winner Magnificent Storm his star bet.
“Magnificent Storm is undefeated through 10 local starts, jumping as an odds-on favourite on each occasion,” Havercroft said. “The son of American Ideal did all of the work at his last outing when tiring late and will be favoured to start his four-year-old season with Group 2 success.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes Jack William can make it back-to-back victories.
“Jack William has barrier one for the second time in a week and looks capable of repeating the front-running victory he notched last Friday night,” Manning said. “Trainer Nathan Turvey has elected to retain leading reinswoman Emily Suvaljko as Jack William’s driver when he attempts to record the 15th win of his career. The Victorian import, who last week broke a 14-run losing sequence, appears to have regained his best form.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is pinning his hopes on Carrera Mach.
“A tough night for tipsters and punters alike at GP last week, hopefully we can all do better this week,” Harding said. “My best bet comes in race three with No.11 Carrera Mach. This horse is overdue for a win and has been about the place in four starts since a spell. I think this is his best chance to reward punters.”
TABradio’s Hayden King has opted for Touch Of Success as his best bet for the meeting.
“Although drawn awkwardly, I feel Touch Of Success may have a class edge over rivals,” King said. “He has tremendous gate speed, however they may be reluctant to use it. In any case, he can sit off them and be strongest late if the speed is honest, which I think it will be.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes Kilowatt Kid can post an all-the-way victory in the first heat of the Nights of Thunder series.
“Kilowatt Kid has come up with the ace and driver Ryan Warwick will attempt to lead from start to finish,” Currall said. “The horse has had five starts back from a spell and should be at his peak now. He can carve out some strong sectionals and should prove too strong for his rivals.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Vivere Damore off the 20m mark in the 2503m Westral Blinds And Awnings Handicap. She is in wonderful form and will be flying home.
MATT: Quick Stride is racing well and just needs tempo on to power over the top for victory.
WARREN: Jesse Allwood hasn’t had much luck lately and off the front can land a nice forward position and run a race at odds.
RYAN: Rabchenko would come into calculations should Hayden Charles be able to find the top. Unsuited when breezing last time out.
ERNIE: Cavalry Call has been beaten in his past eight races and he faces a big class jump after running third at Busselton on January 1. But gate one is a bonus and his trainer Peter Tilbrook is inform.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race six with No. 5 Delightful Reaction. Coming off the inside of the 10 metre line, I think Aiden De Campo can steer her to victory.
HAYDEN: If you put a pen through Gran Chico's last run where he worked hard, he was building into some really promising form. I think he can regather his handicap and he may be too good for rivals at a generous price.
WAYNE: Race two is an open affair and I think Marquisard will get out to a good each-way price. He’s drawn awkwardly on the inside of the backline, but if Aldo Cortopassi can get him into the clear he will be charging late.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
