It’s quite a mixed bag of specials for Gloucester Park this week from the members of the WA Trotting Media Guild.
Only two members – veteran trotting scribe Ken Casellas and TABradio’s Hayden King – have settled on the same best bet.
Hall of Fame journalist Casellas, who was recently honoured for his long list of work and awards in harness racing with the introduction of The Ken Casellas Media Excellence Award, is keen on Boom Time.
“It’s always a warming feeling leaving Gloucester Park on a Friday night after backing the winner of the final event,” Casellas said. “And therefore I’m making Boom Time my best bet this week – to triumph in the 11th final race. Boom Time burst back to his best last week when he surged home from the rear to score an impressive victory. I’m predicting that the lightly raced seven-year-old will be seen in a different role this week by setting the pace from the No. 1 barrier and holding out the up-and-coming Mirragon.”
And King agrees.
“Boom Time finally gets the draw in the final race on the program,” King said. “ Chris Voak is going to have Mirragon right where he wants him and can rate Boom Time to win as he does so well.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart believes promising two-year-old Rock On Top can frank his heat victory by winning the Gold Bullion Final for colts and geldings.
“Rock On Top was without doubt the most impressive winner of the heats,” Wishart said. “He should be too good again in this.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has made Hampton Banner his best for the meeting.
“Hampton Banner took advantage of his best barrier in four local starts to lead and win easily here 10 days ago,” Havercroft said. “I don’t expect Palatino to try and hold the nominal favourite out, and from there he would take catching on his last outing.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has opted for a squaregaiter as his star bet.
“Tenno Sho has wonderful gate speed and can overcome the wide draw to lead,” Young said. “The speedy squaregaiter has been racing really well and can lead them a merry dance here.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes Star Of Diamonds can post an all-the-way victory in the Johnson Fillies & Mares Pace.
“Star Of Diamonds displays the consistency that is a trademark of her trainer Barry Howlett’s team and she has the prized No.1 barrier,” Manning said. The mare’s tally from her last seven starts is four wins and three places. She won last month’s Golden Girls Mile at Pinjarra before finishing third in the Empress Stakes. Her Gloucester Park win last Friday night was most impressive.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has landed on Galactic Star as his best bet.
“Looks like another tough night at GP – seems to be the pattern of late,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race six with No. 6 Galactic Star. He had a great win last week and in this small field of seven he should be able to show his class again.”
But Guild president Wayne Currall disagrees with Harding.
“I loved the way old Vultan Tin attacked the line last week when the closest of seconds behind Galactic Star,” Currall said. “The rising 10-year-old did all the bullocking work outside of Galactic Star, who led comfortably from the pole. Will be a different story this week and I’m confident Vultan Tin can turn the tables.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Heavens Showgirl in the Group 3 Johnson Final. She has created a big impression at her first three starts in WA by leading from the No. 1 barrier and winning without being extended. She has an extremely bright future.
HAYDEN: Rabchenko unwound a sustained burst through the final 800m in quick sectionals to win running away last week. He just needs a modicum of luck to be a sterling winning chance again.
WARREN: I have thrown out As Happy As Larry a few times now, but this is the race for him. I’m hoping he is missed by the market. Doesn’t have the numerical form but this is his race.
RYAN: On Fast Forward has been racing in consistent form and is safe from the mobile barrier. Likely to be at juicy each-way odds.
MATT: Dunamis is a wonderful chance. The indicative price at $12 seems wonderful value from the draw in the Gold Bullion for the colts and geldings.
ERNIE: Poisedtopounce is due to hit form for co-trainers Greg and Skye Bond after a five-start losing run. The four-year-old won at 10 of his previous 16 starts. He faced a difficult task from gate eight when unplaced last Friday night.
PAT: My value bet comes in race 10 with No. 3 As Happy As Larry. While his recent form isn’t that flash, in this small field where there’s not a great deal of form I think Robbie Williams can guide him home.
WAYNE: Anyone who saw Mortician’s run at Pinjarra last Monday would have been impressed. He came off 80m and only went down by a length. He’ll be at liberal odds on Friday night and can run a race at odds.
To view all of the Media Guild tips for this week click here.
Good Punting.
