Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have labelled the smart The Odd Lover and prolific-winning mare Dodolicious as star bets on Friday night’s 10-event card at Gloucester Park.
The feature event on a fantastic night of pacing is the $50,000 Mount Eden Sprint (1730m) where 10 Inter Dominion-bound horses will do battle over the sprint trip for serious cash and valuable ranking points but most Guild members have looked elsewhere to find their best on an action-packed night of pacing.
Leading tipster Stuart Lowe, TABradio’s race caller Matt McDermott and TABradio’s announcer Matt Young all believe The Odd Lover will prove the testing material in the night’s only stand.
Lowe summed up the thoughts of his colleagues when he said The Odd Lover only needed to step well for his class to shine through. “My best bet is The Odd Lover who has won or been second at 19 of 21 lifetime starts,” Lowe said. “He galloped away off 10m last start but was still able to win in a smart 2.01 mile rate after a big last half.”
Lowe’s value bet is Glow Bright. “Glow Bright broke through for a long overdue win three starts ago,” he said. “Unplaced at two subsequent runs, but finished close up each time. Better drawn here and should have each-way claims.”
McDermott believes Beaudiene Beach Babe can break her maiden status in the eighth race. “This filly was a good trial winner leading throughout at Bunbury and sprinting strongly over the last few sectionals,” he said. “Unfortunately, things didn't go to plan first-up at Wagin but she can bounce back with the right run here.”
Young’s roughie is Jay Jays Jet in the last. “Jay Jays Jet has been consistent and this race looks to be even enough that he can overcome the draw,” he said. “He is down in grade on recent efforts and I think he could be a genuine knockout chance at big odds.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, veteran tipster Bill Brindley and Guild president Wayne Currall are all keen on Dodolicious.
Manning spoke for all when he said Dodolicious had established an outstanding career record and looked hard to beat in an event restricted to mares. “The five-year-old, who has won 18 races and run nine places from 31 starts, showed exceptional ability from the time she was winning two-year-old features,” Manning said. “She then proved her class by winning a NSW Oaks heat and finishing second in the final.
Trainer Skye Bond has freshened the mare since her winning hat-trick in Gloucester Park 2130m races last month and her preparation appears ideally timed for the Group 1 Mares Classic in December.”
Manning has opted for Star Of Bethany as his value selection. “Star Of Bethany, having her first race for trainer Kevin Keys, is expected to take advantage of gate one and champion reinsman Chris Lewis could attempt an all-the-way win,” he said. “The filly displayed talent when she ran third as favourite in a GP event last April. Next start she finished fourth after striking interference in a Sales Classic. Keys has had considerable success with young pacers.”
Brindley, who is also a big fan of The Odd Lover and Sarah Goody, likes Bebrave in the last event on an each-way basis. “In a race where there’s not much exposed form I thought Bebrave could run a cheeky race at odds,” he said.
Currall is hoping the speedy Bhagwan can make the most of his rails draw and attempt an all-the-way victory in the fifth race. “Old Bhagwan hasn’t saluted for more than a year, but his recent form hasn’t been too bad,” he said. “With Colin Brown in the bike he should get a comfortable lead and give them something to chase.”
On-course announcer Ken Casellas has opted for Soho Chelsea as his best bet. “Soho Chelsea has struck a purple patch for Hopeland trainer Glenn Elliott and the five-year-old has excellent prospects of recording his 13th win on Friday night,” Casellas said. “He is my star bet for what promises to be a really competitive night of harness racing. Elliott should enjoy a quinella result, with Soho Wall Street strongly favoured to finish second to his stablemate. Gary Hall Jr has given punters a good lead by opting to drive Soho Chelsea in preference to Soho Wall Street.”
Casellas likes Mach Time on an each-way basis in the sixth race. “Mach Time gets his chance to break through for an overdue victory after five placings from his past six starts,” he said. “Mach Time raced without cover early before enjoying a perfect trail, one-out and one-back, when a fighting second to the pacemaker Rycroft last Friday night.”
Longshot maestro Pat Harding is keen on Soho Tribeca in the feature event. “The highlight for me on a great night of pacing is the Mount Eden Sprint and I have nominated Soho Tribeca as my best bet,” Harding said. “I am sure that Kim Prentice will take advantage of gate three and bounce the horse to the front. Chicago Bull is obviously a serious challenger but he could get hemmed in.”
Harding, like McDermott, fancies Beaudiene Beach Babe. “From gate five five, trainer-driver Justin Prentice should be able to work her into a favourable position,” he said. “It could top off a good night for the Prentice family.”
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Good punting.
