Bletchley Park and The Dali Express are two horses singled out by members of the WA Trotting Media Guild as good things for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and the newspaper’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft both believe Bletchley Park can score again.
“Bletchley Park looks primed to notch the third win from four starts since a spell and he can consolidate his credentials for the $200,000 Golden Nugget (2536m) in December,” Manning said. “The WA Derby runner-up scored his ninth victory when setting the pace and drawing almost 12m clear of rivals last Friday night. Trainer Mike Reed is likely to also enter him in the $300,000 Fremantle Pacing Cup (2536m) and $450,000 WA Pacing Cup (2936m), both to be run next January.”
Havercroft agrees with his colleague.
“Bletchley Park cruised to an easy all-the-way victory here from the same draw last Friday,” Havercroft said. “His main rival again, Ocean Ridge, couldn’t get around him on that occasion and it’s hard to see it happening this week.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart and Guild president Wayne Currall are keen on The Dali Express making it successive wins.
“The Dali Express was able to lead and win from this draw last start defeating a good horse in Ocean Ridge,” Wishart said. “No problem with the extra distance - he leads and wins again.”
Currall agrees.
“Champion reinsman Chris Lewis will send The Dali Express straight to the top and it could be race over,” he said. “Doesn’t appear to be too much pressure and he is poised to post another all-the-way victory.”
Longshot king Pat Harding has made Walkinshaw his best for the night.
“Walkinshaw had a great win last week after three runs back from a spell and I see no reason why he can't repeat the dose on Friday night,” Harding said.
TABradio’s Matt Young believes Space Junk can record a hat-trick of victories.
“Space Junk has returned to his best after his last two runs and should go on his winning way again in the stand this Friday night,” Young said.
Young’s colleague at TABradio Hayden King is keen on Starlight Brigade at odds.
“Starlight Brigade flashed home last week and now has come up with the pole,” King said. “He will be in the finish at each-way odds.”
But on-course announcer Ken Casellas has earmarked Hy Leexciting, in the same race, as his star bet.
“Veteran pacer Hy Leexciting is racing with tremendous verve for owner-trainer Ian Barker and the eight-year-old is my best bet on Friday night,” Casellas said. “Colin Brown, one of the State’s finest frontrunning drivers, will be keen to take up the running in the early stages and then lead his rivals on a merry dance. Hy Leexciting over raced in the breeze last Friday night but still fought on doggedly when a close third behind James Butt and Major Pocket.”
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: Cott Beach, unplaced at her past five starts, is due for a return to form. The five-year-old, a winner of 15 races and almost $300,000, covered extra ground when a recent first-up eighth.
RYAN: Major Pocket looked the winner until being claimed in the shadows of the post by James Butt last time out. Drawn to be handy again and can go one better.
WARREN: The Bucket List is fitter following three runs back this time in and has shown a liking for the 2536m. In a small field he is likely to be each-way odds and look for him late.
WAYNE: Destined To Rule has finished in the placings at seven of his past 10 starts. He’s overdue for a win and he is handicapped to turn the tables on favourite Space Junk.
PAT: My value bet comes up in the Media Guild Cup. I expect a great run from The Bucket List. Trainer Michael Brennan has high hopes for this horse over the summer and after a good fourth last week I think he can win over the 2536m.
MATT: Regal Ambition has the gate speed to find the top and is a good frontrunner and will handle the distance fine. If connections choose to lead I believe he is a great winning chance.
HAYDEN: Mighty Flying Deal found the line well from an unpromising position last week and he has drawn handily this time. Michael Grantham has been engaged and he will be in the finish.
KEN: For value, I suggest Regal Ambition in race eight. He is a splendid frontrunner and if he is able to get to an early lead he should have sound prospects of ending a sequence of nine unplaced efforts.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting
