Raffaello Photo by Scott Hamilton Media
Three members of the WA Trotting Media Guild believe punters can line their pockets early if they support the in-form Raffaello in the opening event at Gloucester Park tomorrow night.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, Guild president Wayne Currall and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft have all made the Peter Kimberley-trained gelding their star bet.
Manning believes Raffaello can make it four wins in a row.
“Raffaello has never won in 30 Gloucester Park starts, but gets his chance to break through with the advantage of barrier one,” Manning said. “He has been most impressive when a Pinjarra winner at his past three starts. He displayed gate speed to lead for Shannon Suvaljko, who is booked to resume driving him, after crossing from barrier four on March 26 and April 2.”
Currall agrees with his colleague.
“Raffaello is in the best form of his career,” Currall said. “He has drawn the pole, has Shannon Suvaljko in the bike and is putting together a picket fence. Should lead and win.”
Havercroft is singing from the same hymn sheet as Manning and Currall.
“The versatile Raffaello has been in sparkling form, winning his last three starts, all at Pinjarra,”Havercroft said. “He showed blistering gate speed two starts ago when crossing from barrier four, which suggests he can lead and give them something to chase.”
Last season’s leading tipster Stuart Lowe is keen on three-year-old filly Lady De La Renta.
“My best bet is Lady De La Renta, who had a torrid run last week in the WA Derby before weakening to run 11th,” Lowe said. “Won brilliantly at two of three previous runs and the pole draw will make her the one to beat.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas has labelled Our Zak Whitby as his best for the night.
“Meelon trainer Ed Dewar has Our Zak Whitby in top form and the speedy four-year-old has bright prospects of completing a winning hat-trick by proving too good for his 11 rivals,” Casellas said. “The WA-bred entire was most impressive in scoring convincingly in fast time last Friday night and he is my best bet this week.”
Veteran tipster Bill Brindley believes El Jacko can continue on from his strong win last week.
“The best bet for me is the classy El Jacko, who should improve even further after an impressive victory last week at his second run back from a spell,” Brindley said.
TABradio’s Matt Young likes Ideal Investment in the last race.
“Ideal Investment finally finds the right race to lead and has a brilliant front-running driver on in Kyle Harper,” Young said. “I think he’s the best bet of the night.”
Longshot maestro Pat Harding believes it’s another tough night coming up at GP this Friday for punters.
“My best bet of the night comes up in the fourth with the Gary Hall-trained Liberty Rose,” Harding said. “She was a good winner last week, but I think she can make it four wins in a row with Lady De La Renta the toughest opposition.”
Value Bets
Ernie: Sarah Goody, who showed class when a WA Oaks runner-up last season, looks well placed by trainer Kevin Keys for her first-up race. She will be chasing her eighth win at headquarters.
Wayne: Aussie Jet is working his way back to race fitness after six runs since a spell. He is drawn favourably on the inside of the back line and could surprise at odds.
Ryan: Terraforce has placed first-up in the past and is well drawn in a moderate field. Looks an each-way prospect and the stable has been firing.
Stuart: My value bet is the talented, but luckless All Jokes Aside, who has not won since New Year’s Eve. Trialled at Pinjarra, since last start, for easy win. Can handle this class and should go close.
Ken: For value, I suggest eight-year-old Shirlz Sensation, who resumed after a spell with a solid effort when a close-up seventh behind Campora on Tuesday of last week when he fought on determinedly after racing three wide for much of the way.
Bill: My value bet is the consistent Auctioneers Elsu as she is capable of a brilliant finish.
Matt: Ideal Investment is my best bet and best value. He’s a great each-way chance.
Pat: I think Soho Changeling can provide punters with some value. She has run some good places but is due for a change of luck and with Shannon Suvaljko aboard has every chance.
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Good Punting.
