It’s not every week that members of the WA Trotting Media Guild agree on best bets, but Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park is one of them.
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas, TABradio’s Hayden King and Guild president Wayne Currall have all made Joelene their best for the evening.
And The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and that newspaper’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believe Hampton Banner can continue on his winning ways.
Maybe a bonanza for punters or a trap for fools.
Here’s their reasons.
“Joelene has won only once, and that was 13 starts ago, but she gets an excellent chance to break through for an overdue success when she starts from the awkward barrier at No. 5 in the Fly Like An Eagle Is Flying Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night,” Casellas said. “The Colin Brown-trained filly has been freshened up since her ninth behind Benesari Lane in the WA Oaks four weeks ago, and I’m making her my best bet this week. Before her Oaks failure Joelene gave a sample of her ability with consecutive seconds behind the brilliant Black Jack Baby.”
And King agrees.
“Joelene looks to have a bit of class on most of her rivals,” King said. “Coming off a run in the WA Oaks, where she was held up and not disgraced, this looks a suitable assignment and she will prove very hard to beat.”
Currall’s view echoes that of his colleagues.
“Joelene is meeting the easiest field she’s come up against in quite some time,” he said. “Browny will give her every opportunity to chalk up her second success and she looks a standout to me.”
Manning and Havercroft are equally as bullish about the prospects of Hampton Banner in race four.
“Hampton Banner has made a great recovery after a serious leg injury and he is set for his fourth straight win,” Manning said. “The Debra Lewis-trained New Zealand import needed surgery when found to be lame after a sixth in last year’s WA Derby. He was sidelined for a year before running a first-up fourth on March 30. He has since notched three impressive front-running victories.”
Havercroft agrees.
“I know I am starting to sound like a broken record, but it’s a lovely tune that Hampton Banner is busting out every week,” Havercroft said. “Once again he is drawn to be on the pace and will take a power of beating should he find the top.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart is keen on Tellmetoattack in race two.
“I think Tellmetoattack has found the right race here,” Wishart said. “Has good gate speed, so should lead and be very hard to beat.”
TABradio’s Matt Young has gone to the night’s standing-start event to find his best bet.
“Papinik returned with a very good trial,” Young said. “He’s far superior speed-wise to his rivals and I expect him to leave headquarters a winner on Friday.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding believes Star Of Diamonds can warm the pockets and hearts of punters.
“My best bet comes up in race six with No. 4 Star Of Diamonds,” Harding said. “I selected her as my value bet last week and she duly saluted. She has an impressive record and I think Chris Voak can guide her to yet another win.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Nota Bene Denario in the Milne Feeds Pace in which he is capable of overcoming a wide draw at No. 7. He impressed with his spirited finishing burst when a close second to Shanway last Friday night.
HAYDEN: Blue Blazer has a quick sprint and this is not the strongest of races. The small field suits and he is an each-way chance.
WAYNE: Almost got the cash with Euphoric Moment last week and I’m backing up again this week. The Collie-trained pacer loves the longer trip and he can prove the strongest when the whips are cracking.
ERNIE: CC Chevron gets his chance to break a 29-run losing sequence when he starts from gate one. The Matt Scott-trained veteran, who has won 16 races in past years, can improve on a seventh last Friday night, when he was inconvenienced.
RYAN: Manning was racing well prior to a short let-up and his best here would be good enough to win the APG race.
WARREN: Tiffany Rose is a high-class mare resuming. Despite taking on good opposition, from the low draw will go very well. I think the $14 looks particularly appealing each-way.
MATT: Cavalry Call has a beautiful draw, grows a leg on the rail and should get a good run any option they choose.
PAT: My value bet come up in race three with No. 7 Nota Bene Denario. I selected him last week and he ran a great second. I think this week Gary Hall Jr can go one better at a reasonable price.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting and please remember the gates will be open at GP this Friday. On-course patrons must wear masks at all times and adhere to the social distancing rules.
