Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have marked classy four-year-old Ocean Ridge and likely leader Liam Neil as star bets at Gloucester Park tomorrow night.
Longshot guru Pat Harding, The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, RWWA’s racing communications co-ordinator Tim Walker and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft have all made Ocean Ridge their best bet on a stellar 10-event card.
“My best bet of the night comes up in race five with Ocean Ridge,” Harding said. “This horse from the Bond stable is ideally placed to win the main race of the night. He has some excellent form and should keep punters very happy.”
Manning agrees.
“Ocean Ridge, a winner at seven of his past nine starts, launched a comeback in top style when demolishing rivals with a 25.5m victory at Pinjarra on July 22,” Manning said. It was his first race in 14 months, but he showed the class which enabled him to run fourth behind King Of Swing in last season’s WA Derby. The Greg and Skye Bond-trained gelding arrived in WA early last year, after three wins from his final four New Zealand starts. He has won at four of five WA appearances.”
Walker also is a fan of Ocean Ridge.
“Ocean Ridge is a highly talented pacer and it’s great to see him back at the races,” Walker said. “This looks a nice way for him to return to the Friday night scene.”
Havercroft echoes the thoughts of his colleagues.
“Ocean Ridge resumed racing and devastated his rivals at Pinjarra last month,” Havercroft said. “He showed a blistering sprint on that occasion and is compiling an imposing record, winning at seven of his 15 lifetime starts.”
GP’s on-course announcer Ken Casellas and TABradio’s racecaller Hayden King believe Liam Neil is set to bounce back into the winners’ circle.
“Little has gone right for Liam Neil at unplaced efforts at his past four starts,” Casellas said. “But from barrier two he gets an excellent chance to return to the winning list by proving too speedy for his eight rivals in race six. The David Thompson-trained four-year-old possesses good gate speed and Dylan Egerton-Green, who is driving in wonderful form, will be seeking an all-the-way success.”
King is in agreement.
“Liam Neil looks the leader and he has proven himself adequately potent as a frontrunner before,” King said. “Hard to beat.”
Media Guild president Wayne Currall believes punters can add to their bank early doors by supporting polemarker Advance Your Dream.
“This Gary Hall-trained filly is still a maiden after eight starts,” Currall said. “But her last two starts, both seconds, indicate she has her hoof firmly on the till. Regular driver Maddison Brown should be able to bounce her straight to the front and from there she’s the one to beat.”
VALUE BETS
PAT: My value bet of the night comes up in race seven. This is a pretty open affair but I think Brookies Jet from barrier five with Shannon Suvaljko aboard stands as good a chance as any and should give punters a good sight.
ERNIE: Rock Me Over has not won at his past 20 starts, but he looks close to form which has delivered him six Gloucester Park wins. He ran city midweek places at his past two starts for Matthew Scott, who took over his training early this year.
TIM: Handsandwheels may jump at a reasonable price from the draw on Friday night. Think he’s the best horse in the race and can overcome barrier five.
RYAN: Fizzing made a rare mobile appearance last week but returns to the stand for the Marathon Handicap. Has finished first or second at his last seven standing-start events, beginning no closer than 30 metres behind on each occasion.
KEN: For value, I suggest the ultra-consistent Im Soxy in the fourth event in which he should enjoy a perfect trip behind the likely pacemaker Convert Denario.
HAYDEN: Dredlock Rockstar strikes a winnable race and has been performing admirably for some time. He is a good each-way bet.
WAYNE: Roman Aviator has been starting from 50m and 40m behind in stands in the country. He will appreciate coming off 10m in the Marathon Handicap. Can win at good each-way odds, providing he steps with them.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
