The Skye Bond-trained El Jacko won’t start at any fancy price, but several members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have labelled the five-year-old gelding as the best of good things at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, last season’s leading tipster Stuart Lowe, Guild president Wayne Currall and veteran tipster Bill Brindley have all made El Jacko their star bet.
Manning spoke for his colleagues when he said El Jacko should atone for his defeat at headquarters last week by Whozideawasthis.
“El Jacko confirmed his quality when winning from The Accumulator two starts ago,” Manning said. “He then endured a tough run when he faced the breeze and ran second to Whozideawasthis last Friday night. He has the impressive tally of six wins and four places from 13 starts at GP.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is keen on Bad Round.
“Bad Round comes up with a good controlling draw and looks the leader and the one to beat,” Young said. “Doesn’t appear to be much mid-race pressure and I think he'll go the trip.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas believes WA Derby runner-up Bechers Brook can go one better on Friday night.
“Victorian-bred Bechers Brook possesses a sizzling late burst of speed and this vital ingredient should carry him to victory on Friday night,” Casellas said. “He gave a superb performance in the WA Derby last Friday week when he was 11th on the home bend before charging home, six wide, to finish second, just a head behind King Of Swing. He is my best bet on a somewhat tricky 10-event card.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft agrees with his colleague.
“Bechers Brook should relish a massive drop in class on his recent outings,” Havercroft said. “His finishing effort when second in the WA Derby was ridiculously good, making ground when six wide on the home turn from a near impossible position.”
Longshot king Pat Harding is prepared to give the disappointing Tuas Delight another chance.
“Although the heavily backed Tuas Delight put in a shocker last Friday night, I think he can redeem himself in the opening event this week,” Harding said. “Obviously Lord Willoughby and The Accumulator will be his main rivals, but I think Tuas Delight can get punters off to a good start.”
VALUE BETS
Ernie: Smackwater Jack, an Auckland and Gloucester Park winner this season, has been out of luck when checked and caught on the inside at his past two starts.
Stuart: My value bet is Bad Round, who ran a good third at Pinjarra on Monday after breezing. Held up at previous run here. Well drawn in not an overly strong field.
Wayne: Ohoka Darcy flew home last Friday for a most unlucky third. Goes up in class but has drawn to get a soft run and could surprise at odds.
Bill: Major Catastrophe back down to a mile, held himself in good stead during the Nights Of Thunder series, should run very well even from a tough barrier.
Matt: Besotted, in the last, is getting back to his better form. It’s an even race and he was unlucky last start.
Ken: Oneonthewood has been unplaced at his past five starts, but he caught the eye with his strong-finishing fourth behind Jimmy Mack at GP on Tuesday of last week.
Ryan: Springsteen never got a look when held up in the Kellerberrin Cup on Sunday. His prior form hadn’t been too bad and this isn’t a strong field.
Pat: A good win by The Bucket List a fortnight ago. Nice to see him return to form and I think he can repeat the dose this week in the eighth race.
Good punting.
