GPTV’s form guru Ken Casellas and yours truly rarely agree on anything, but at Gloucester Park on Friday night we’ll be joining forces to cheer home You Gotta Have Faith.
The Bob Mellsop-trained five-year-old gelding has drawn the pole in the sixth and we both think he’s capable of scoring an all-the-way victory for the in-form Jocelyn Young.
Casellas summed it up best.
“You Gotta Have Faith’s recent form has been rather topsy-turvy, but he should relish starting from the prized No. 1 barrier,” he said. “He showed his liking for pacemaking with two all-the-way wins over 2100m at Geelong last year and he has started from barrier one only once in 18 starts in WA when he set the pace and went on to win over 2100m at Bunbury late last December. I’m confident Jocelyn Young will make every post a winner by jumping in front and then setting a steady pace.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and last year’s leading tipster Matt Young are keen on Vampiro from the leading yard of Greg and Skye Bond.
“Vampiro sat outside Maczaffair and wore her down in the Mount Eden Sprint two weeks ago,” Havercroft said. “He is racing in exceptional form, and on that effort he’ll take beating in the James Brennan Memorial.”
Young agrees.
“Vampiro has stepped right up this preparation and can make his own luck in the feature this Friday,” he said.
TABradio’s Matt McDermott, The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and longshot king Pat Harding believe 2017 WA Derby winner Handsandwheels can continue on his merry way.
“Tough, versatile, Group 1 wins and placings under his belt ... Handsandwheels should be too strong,” McDermott said.
Manning and Harding are of a like mind.
“Handsandwheels’ wins at five of his past six starts indicates he is back to the form which enabled him to triumph in last year’s WA Derby,” he said. “The five-year-old, not out of a place in his last 15 appearances, was most impressive when he led and scored first-up on October 19. He looks a top prospect for the Fremantle Pacing Cup and WA Pacing Cup.”
“My best bet of the night is with Handsandwheels for the De Campos,” Harding said. “His first run after a spell resulted in an impressive win and I think he can make it two in a row.”
Veteran tipster Stuart Lowe believes classy mare Infinite Symbol can chalk-up a hat-trick of wins in the second last.
“My best bet is Infinite Symbol, who has had two starts this season for two wins, including last week’s Merredin Cup,” he said. “Rises in class, but still looks to have an edge on her rivals.”
The newest member of the WA Trotting Media Guild - RWWA’s Tim Walker - bagged five winners at his maiden attempt last Friday night and gets a berth in this week’s racebook for his efforts.
Walker has taken a shine to Mitch Maguire in the stand.
“Mitch Maguire drops back in class this week and has shown good form at the standing start this campaign,” he said.
Budding racecaller Hayden King (hear there’s a gig up for grabs calling the Pony Trots) is pinning his hopes on the baldy-faced Im Soxy.
“Providing Im Soxy can hold the lead in the early stages, I think he will win,” he said. “He has proven potent when leading in the past and should record his second metropolitan win.”
VALUE BETS
Ken: Starlight Brigade has been out of the winning list for 21 months, but he impressed at Kellerberrin last Sunday week when he raced wide early and then in the breeze before fighting on grandly to be a head second to Patrickthepiranha.
Wayne: I’m sounding like a broken record, but I refuse to let Forever Remembered get under my guard again. She always steps out at a big price and will do so again on Friday night. Can run into the money off a strong pace.
Ryan: Khun Ratha dropped out at the start and was not knocked around when resuming at Gloucester Park last Friday. Good draw gives him place prospects.
Matt Y: Carter Micheal will be sitting in a nice position with a likely hot early tempo and if the frontrunners undo themselves early, he's the pony I’d like to be on.
Matt M: Like his namesake, Luis Alberto is hoping to kick some goals this season after a good return last start when beaten only a metre.
Ernie: Wesley is showing glimpses of ability which he displayed in wins at five of his first seven starts. The five-year-old is ready for a return to city racing after five country victories in his past 11 races.
Pat: Brookies Jet has had a number of third placings and I believe he is knocking on the door for a win. This is not a particularly strong field and I think he’s value for money.
Stuart: Bravo Tex’s recent form is from wide draws, including a win here from barrier 12 four starts ago. Has the pole draw here which brings him in with strong each-way claims.
Tim: Danieljohn has barrier one again this week, after a game second in the Parliamentarians Cup last week. Benhope Rulz is the danger here, but Danieljohn can go one better this week.
Hayden: I think Tisadream can cross and lead with not a great deal of speed inside of him. From that position he would be hardest to beat.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
