In 1913 Vincenzo Perrugia pulled off one of the greatest art thefts of the 20th century. The diminutive Italian coolly walked into The Louvre dressed as a worker, lifted the Mona Lisa off the wall, wrapped the painting in his smock and boldly made his exit out the same door.
At Gloucester Park this Friday night, the equine Vincenzo Perrugia will attempt to land his own coup when he tackles 11 rivals for the major share of the $10,500 on offer in the opening event.
And three WA Trotting Media Guild members - two of whom are in red-hot form - believe the aptly named six-year-old gelding (Art Official - Cee Ya Later) can give owner-trainer Tony Svilicich a grin as wide as the little Italian thief surely sported as he ambled down the steps of The Louvre with the Mona Lisa tucked under his arm.
TABradio form analyst Hayden King, who tipped eight winners on last week’s card, Radio Great Southern’s form expert Warren Wishart, who finished with six from 10, and Guild president Wayne Currall have made Vincenzo Perrugia their best for the night.
“Vincenzo Peruggia looks set to lead and be nigh on impossible to roll on Friday,” King said. “He smoked home late last week and this looks a gift for him.”
Wishart is preaching from the same pulpit.
“Expect another big night for leaders and Vincenzo Perrugia excels in that role,” Wishart said. “And from this draw he should lead all the way.”
Currall makes it three.
“Vincenzo Perrugia can steal this race if, as expected, Lindsay Harper can take control early doors from gate two,” Currall said. “Like his namesake, this enigmatic pacer has a few tricks up his sleeve but on his best behaviour he’ll prove the testing material.”
Longshot king Pat Harding, yet to strike this season with his one at big odds, has labelled Patrickthepiranha as the standout for the evening.
“Should be a good night at GP for favourites this week,” Harding said. “My best bet of the night comes up in race four with the return to racing of the top flight Patrickthepiranha. He had a good win at his last start before a spell and I think he can return with a good win coming out of barrier three.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes potential topliner Wildwest can make it six from six.
“Unbeaten four-year-old Wildwest, returning after his short break, appears a leading contender for the $200,000 Golden Nugget (2536m), $300,000 Fremantle Pacing Cup (2536m) and $450,000 WA Pacing Cup (2936m),” Manning said. “The gelding scored the first of his five wins when successful by 37m in New Zealand last May. He then joined Gary Hall’s stable and opened his WA account with a 35m victory at Pinjarra. Three clear-cut wins were notched by the bay at Gloucester Park in August.”
Renowned form guru Ken Casellas is keen on Overboard Again.
“A splendid first-up performance last week by Overboard Again has influenced me to make the New Zealand-bred seven-year-old my best bet on Friday night where he is ideally drawn at barrier two in the eighth event,” Casellas said. “Overboard Again raced three wide for the first circuit and then in the breeze before fighting on determinedly to finish second to Mighty Flying Deal last Friday night, with final quarters of 28sec. and 27.7.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believes Arma Indie can bounce back to winning form.
“Arma Indie was upset three weeks ago when run over by Just Rockon Bye as a short-priced favourite,” Havercroft said. “She was unbeaten at four starts this campaign prior to that assignment and should be fresh and ready to return to the winner’s list.”
VALUE BETS
HAYDEN: There was nothing wrong with Carter Michael's last run - they just made it mathematically impossible for him to win. His previous form was excellent and he will be hard to beat.
WARREN: Pradas Ideal Dahling was back in winning form last start and with that confidence boost can run a race at double-figure odds.
WAYNE: Parisian Partygirl loves the pegs and from her pole draw she should get every opportunity to run a bold race. Should be at each-way odds and is capable of causing a boilover.
PAT: Carrera Mach ran a creditable fourth last week but I think he will give punters a great sight.
ERNIE: Clarenden Hustler, who broke an eight-run losing sequence by winning at Gloucester Park last month, has been forced to face the breeze when unplaced in two subsequent events. A winner of 18 races, he needs only a little luck to again figure prominently.
KEN: Carrera Mach has a losing sequence of 11, but will pay to follow. He was eighth at the bell and fought, five wide, to finish fourth behind Our Perkins last Friday night.
RYAN: Wesley has good recent form and is likely to be at a liberal each-way quote from an awkward draw. Has place claims.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
