The Group 2 $50,000 Navy Cup (2130m) highlights an action-packed 11-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Harness racing fans will see Chicago Bull and Galactic Star clash with the returning Vampiro and El Jacko, as well as up and coming pacers Bletchley Park, Sangue Royale and My Carbon Copy.
WA Trotting Media Guild president Wayne Currall is the only member of the Guild to find his best bet in the Navy Cup.
“Chicago Bull’s effort to get so close to the rampaging Shockwave in last week’s James Brennan Memorial was outstanding,” Currall said. “The Little Bull raced in the breeze for most of the 2536m trip and was still giving Shockwave 35m at the bell. To get within a half-head of the winner, who rated a blistering 1:55.7 for the journey, was testament to the little bloke’s courage. He’s my best bet on Friday night.”
The Debbie Padberg-trained Bracken Sky has a couple of fans in Radio Great Southern’s Warren Wishart, who is the new leader in the Guild’s tipping competition, and TABradio’s Matt Young.
“My best bet comes up in race three with No. 1 Bracken Sky,” Wishart said. “Racing very well and the pole position is perfect for him. Should lead all the way.”
And Young agrees.
“Bracken Sky has found the perfect draw and over the middle distance he will lead on his ear and can notch up a much deserving victory,” Young said. “His form has been superb.”
Another pacer based in the Wanneroo area - the Luke Edwards-trained Henrik Larsson - also has attracted plenty of attention from two members of the Guild.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and that paper’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believe Henrik Larsson can continue to kick goals on Friday night.
“Trainer-reinsman Luke Edwards has recently set up his own stable and unbeaten colt Henrik Larsson is giving him a great start to the new venture,” Manning said. “The three-year-old looks hard to beat in his Friday night city debut after three impressive wins. He scored at Northam ahead of overcoming a wide run at a Gloucester Park midweek meeting. He then led and notched a Pinjarra victory last Monday.”
Havercroft agrees with his colleague.
“Henrik Larsson has been impressive in winning at his first three starts,” Havercroft said. “The son of Art Major has shown versatility in winning from in front or back in the field and Luke Edwards will have options again from barrier four on Friday night.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has settled on Captain Mannering as his best bet for the meeting.
“Eleven races at GP this Friday and I have a feeling it’s going to be a pretty tough meeting for punters and tipsters alike,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race two with No. 5 Captain Mannering. He is overdue for a win with some good places behind him and with Chris Voak aboard this could be his night.“
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas is keen on Letsdancetonight.
“Astute punters should be dancing all the way home after
supporting Letsdancetonight in the 11th and final event on Friday night,” Casellas said. “Letsdancetonight, a promising filly trained by Peter Tilbrook, bounced back to her best form on Tuesday night when Emily Suvaljko drove her to an impressive victory over Follow My Stride. I’m making her my best bet on Friday night when I’m confident she will overcome the awkward draw at barrier five.”
But that’s not how the race will pan out, according to TABradio’s Hayden King.
“Regal Aura got held up and then had to come wide on Monday at Pinjarra and finished off in spectacular style,” King said. “This is a drop in grade and I expect him to be too classy for his seven rivals.”
VALUE BETS
WAYNE: Pocket The Cash has been in brilliant form for Bunbury trainer Stephen Reed with six wins and two seconds from his last eight starts. Will get out to a good each-way quote with the unbeaten “soccer superstar” in the race.
WARREN: Sergeant Oats will get the same run as last week when he finished a solid second. Can’t miss top three again and has a great each-way hope.
MATT: Rocknroll Whitby has a lovely draw. He just needs luck in an open race, but he is racing well and will be dangerous late.
ERNIE: Euphoric Moment has won only once in his past 19 starts and has 12-run losing sequence. But he looked ready to break through and win again for trainer Errol Ashcroft when finishing second after covering extra ground last Friday night.
RYAN: Courage Tells grows a leg from the inside draw and his main rivals are both drawn wide and first-up. Hasn’t been too far away of late.
PAT: My value bet kicks off the meeting with No. 3 Mattjestic Star. Hasn't had much luck in recent races but this is wide open and with Shannon Suvaljko in the sulky could give punters a nice dividend.
KEN: For value, I suggest veteran Maras Ace Man, a durable, dependable and determined pacer who will give punters a great run for their money from barrier six in the third event.
HAYDEN: A Boy Named Rosie is very consistent and finally gets his draw. He can lead all the way and steal this.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
