Former Victorian pacer Warfare and the promising Quick Stride are star bets at Friday night’s Gloucester Park meeting for several members of the WA Trotting Media Guild.
Multiple winner of the Guild’s tipping competition Stuart Lowe, budding racecaller Hayden King and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft have all made Warfare their best bet.
“Warfare impressed with a smart win here in 1.53.6 over 1730m at his only WA start,” Lowe said. “He is perfectly drawn here and should repeat the dose.”
King and Havercroft agree.
“Warfare was impressive defeating Vincenzo Peruggia first-up in the State and looks very hard to beat,” King said.
Havercroft said Warfare, who made a successful local debut at Gloucester Park last week when he recorded an all-the-way victory, can repeat the dose here.
“Warfare has drawn the pole and Gary Hall Jr has jumped off Liberty Rose to drive the Justin Prentice-trained gelding, which is a strong lead,” he said.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker believe another Prentice-trained conveyance can make it a double for the young horseman.
“Quick Stride has shown big potential for trainer Justin Prentice on the country circuit and looks primed for victory in his Gloucester Park debut,” Manning said. “He notched his fifth straight win when charging home three-wide and scoring by almost 13m at Bunbury on March 30. He should make a swift rise in the city.”
Walker is singing from the same hymn sheet.
“Quick Stride has put together five in a row and clearly brings very good form here,” he said. “This looks to be a very winnable race.”
GPTV’s Ken Casellas fancies former Kiwi pacer Balcatherine at her first start in the west.
“Balcatherine is the least experienced runner in the Oaks Prelude on Friday night and is awkwardly drawn on the inside of the back line at her Australian debut and at her first outing for three months,” he said. “But she is my best bet of the night. She has impressed greatly in finishing powerfully and winning without being extended at her two starts in New Zealand. Now prepared by master trainer Gary Hall, Balcatherine has the look of a classy performer.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is keen on Liam Neil.
“My best bet of the night comes up in race eight,” he said. “I think this is going to be a battle royale between the stablemates Liam Neil and Jasmin Amal. Both have some good form on the board but I favour No. 4 Liam Neil because he is drawn inside his stablemate and I think can bounce out and lead.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can get off to a flyer by backing The Art Form in the opening event.
“The Art Form has been crying out for a good gate and he gets the pole here,” he said. “Mark Reed will send him straight to the top and whatever beats him will win. Will be in the red, but little fish are sweet.”
VALUE BETS
STUART: The value bet is Marquisard, who has been racing well from awkward draws. He has barrier one here and should be suited having won his last three starts from this draw.
HAYDEN: Attack On Command should send punters out on a winning note in the last. He has been in career-best form.
RYAN: Soho Wonder bobbed up at bolters odds when running on late into second behind Debt Free Charlie last Friday. This isn’t a strong field and he could show up again.
ERNIE: Neighlor, a winner of five Gloucester Park races, is due to hit winning form again after being beaten at his past 11 starts. He has gate four, which is his best draw in recent appearances.
TIM: Whozideawasthis is the in-form runner in the FFA. Has a tricky draw, but goes up against a few horses that may not be as fresh as him. Looks the one with the most upside and he looks to be a serious chance here.
KEN: For value, I suggest Marquisard in race eight. He has been unplaced at his past 11 starts, but he looks the leader from the No. 1 barrier this week - and will take plenty of catching.
PAT: My value bet comes in race six. This is a very open affair but I fancy No. 6, Back To The The Beach. With Chris Lewis aboard, I think this horse should have the wood on the rest over the 2536 metre journey.
WAYNE: Im Full Of Excuses showed with his last-start third that he is getting back to his old form. Will race handy to the speed from a favourable draw and could prove the knockout at good odds over the sprint trip.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting!
