The members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are confident they can land their best bets at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas and Guild president Wayne Currall believe punters can start the night off on a winning note by backing Our Perkins in the first race on the card.
“Our Perkins has been unplaced at his past five starts from unfavourable draws and he is my best bet at Gloucester Park this week to bounce back to top form for trainer Karen Thompson by winning the opening event,” Casellas said. “He has a handy draw at barrier three and Dylan Egerton-Green has excellent prospects of surging to an early lead with a pacer who has set the pace in eight of his 10 career victories.“
And Currall agrees.
“Our Perkins ran an eye-catching fifth behind Lightning Jolt last Friday night,” Currall said. “He came from last at the bell and was pushed wide over the last 800m when they ran a slick 57.4. He is drawn to lead and poised to record an all-the-way victory.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and that newspaper’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft have made Chicago Bull their star bet for the night.
“The $1.8 million stake-earner Chicago Bull looks primed to repeat his impressive victory last Friday night, when he notched a third win in four starts,” Manning said. “He has established a creditable tally of five wins, three seconds and a third in nine races since resuming from a lengthy spell. The gelding has an imposing 43 wins from 60 Perth starts and his 75-race career features 48 victories.”
Havercroft also is a big fan of the “Little Bull”.
“Chicago Bull has managed to avoid Ocean Ridge this week, with the duo filling the quinella in their last three clashes,” Havercroft said. “The absence of Greg and Skye Bond-trained runners makes this field weaker than he has been facing of late.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart is keen on Just For Love in the 2YO Fillies Gold Bracelet (2130m).
“Just For Love had this draw last week and ran very well behind star filly Black Jack Baby, putting a good margin between herself and the third placegetter,” Wishart said. “Should lead and be too good.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding has opted for Robbie Easton as his best for the night.
“Punters and tipsters enjoyed a pretty good night at GP last Friday,” Harding said. “So let's hope we can repeat the dose this week. My best bet comes up in race four with No. 6 Robbie Easton. An excellent effort to run second last week, but I am sure he can go one better this week and win for the Halls.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Secret Reaction in the Gold Bracelet. She ran home solidly, out very wide, from the rear when a creditable sixth behind Black Jack Baby in the Westbred Classic last week. She had a tough run when an easy four-length winner at her previous outing.
WAYNE: Double Expresso will hardly be a value bet because I think she’ll be sent out favourite in her race. However, I can’t recall a horse having so much bad luck in her races. She’s overdue for a victory and I’m confident it will come on Friday night.
ERNIE: Star For Me has yet to win in 12 starts, but is capable of figuring prominently from her inside draw on the back line. The filly, who has recorded six places, ran fourth after she had difficulty getting clear in the Westbred Classic final last Friday night.
RYAN: Neighlor was shunted at the bell last week when having his first start in six weeks. Drawn to improve on some terrible numeric form.
WARREN: My value bet is Mighty Flying Deal. Connections would have had to double check when the fields came out as this horse did not draw barrier 9. Has had horrendous luck with draws and from 10 will finally get an economical run. At juicy odds he’s worth an each-way play.
PAT: My second bet for the night comes up in race three with No. 7 Boom Time. A good second last start and I think Chris Voak can steer him to victory and give punters a reasonable return.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good punting.
