WA Media Guild Friday’s thoughts

It’s a fascinating program at Gloucester Park on Friday night with fast-class stars Magnifcent Storm and Vampiro going head-to-head again, this time in the $50,000 Channel 7 Navy Cup (2130m).

However, members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have steered away from the feature event when selecting their star bets on the nine-event card.

Longshot guru Pat Harding believes punters can add to their bank early doors by supporting Alice Kay in the opening event.

“Looks like a mixed bag for punters and tipsters at GP this week,” Harding said. “Not too many standouts.My best bet comes up in race one with No. 1 Alice Kay. She’s had a couple of good places in recent races and this time has an excellent barrier draw.”

TABradio’s Matt Young also fancies a horse likely to take up the running and prove hard to run down.

“The Kraken has a good draw and meets the perfect race,” Young said. “He has the speed to lead and looks very hard to beat.”

The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and his colleague at The West, Ernie Manning, are keen on the prospects of Alta Louisa in race six.

“Alta Louisa has only drawn barrier one once in her 14-start career and that was in the Group 2 3YO Diamond Classic,” Havercroft said. “She has returned as a four-year-old with three wins and two placings in five starts and has the barrier advantage over her main rival Born To Boogie, who has drawn the outside gate.”

And Manning agrees.

“Classy four-year-old Alta Louisa drew the pole and looks hard to beat again for trainer Justin Prentice after winning Gloucester Park races at three of her four starts since a spell,” Manning said. “She was most impressive when facing the breeze and scoring in The Schrader on August 27. Gary Hall Jr retains his drive behind the mare, who has won five of her past eight races.”

Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas and Guild president Wayne Currall have settled on In The Spotlight as their best bet.

“In The Spotlight left little doubt in May this year that she is one of the best two-year-old fillies in the State, along with Wonderful To Fly, and she is my best bet on Friday night when she will resume after a four-month absence,” Casellas said.

In The Spotlight, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, will start from the No. 5 barrier and she has the class to beat her six rivals. The Bettors Delight filly made a big impression in winning stylishly at her only three starts, all at Gloucester Park in May.”

Currall agrees with Casellas.

“The Bonds invariably have their horses ready to race when they return from a spell,” Currall said. “Ryan Warwick can let In The Spotlight run the gate and then take up the running. From there she should prove too good for her stablemate Ima Socialite and the improving Rambo Rabbit.”

VALUE BETS

PAT: My double comes up in race two with No. 4 Tyler Brett. This is not a particularly strong field and I think he can make it a well-deserved win.

MATT: Illawong Mustang is racing well without much luck. This is a good draw and he should go strongly here.

RYAN: I can’t imagine Chris Lewis will want to engage in an early burn with Pierre Whitby, but if his rivals do the indicative $14 looks a good each-way play.

ERNIE: The Kraken has not won in his past 12 starts, but he is showing glimpses of form that delivered him 11 victories. He started from gates six and seven when running fourth and fifth at Gloucester Park on August 27 and September 3. Last Saturday night, he drew the second line and again finished fifth. He will now appreciate barrier three.

KEN: For value, I suggest Regal Cheval in race two. He is knocking on the door after fighting seconds at his past two runs when he refused to give in after working in the breeze. This week he has a chance to lead from barrier one and will take plenty of beating.

WAYNE: The Sarah Wall-trained Alta Rhett has been about the place at his past few runs from awkward draws. He’s again drawn wide in gate six, but if Nathan Turvey can slot him in somewhere then he’s capable of running a race at odds.

Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week

Click here to view the fields for Gloucester Park this Friday night.

Good punting.

By Wayne Currall for Gloucester Park