Trent’s Tips – Gloucester Park 12th December

Gloucester Park hosts 10 races on Friday night as the Group 1 WA Pacing Cup (2536m) takes centre stage.

Minstrel is back to defend his crown after winning in 2024 over Mister Smartee, who will aim to go one better this year. Magnificent Storm is the other major player and would love to make it a second win in the Pacing Cup – he won in 2023 as he defeated Jumpingjackmac and Minstrel.

The WA Pacing Cup will be run at 7:07pm local time (10:07pm AEDT) and is Race 5 on the program.

 

Race 1

CAPTAIN CONFETTI NZ (3) has struck good form with two wins from his last three starts, including an all-the-way victory over Cold Hard Cash and Travelban three starts ago. This is harder tonight, but he showed good versatility last start when running home from midfield to land the prize. Can run a bold race at double figures if he can cross over at the start.

MIKIS PRIDE (4) was brave last start when facing the breeze and finishing 5m behind Dame Valour in this grade. He has a bit of versatility in this class and from a good draw, he can easily be fighting out the finish.

ROCKANDROLLARTIST (9) is the class runner of the field as an NR93 pacer. Forget he went around last start when suffering a flat tyre in the run. Four starts ago he won a similar race to this and was then very respectable up in class behind Golden Lode and Chivalry. Won’t be surprised if he is set alight off the gate to go forward as he is fast but could also sit back and come with one run.

Other hopes go to SWEET IVY NZ (1), CORDERO (6), HER PRESENCE (7) and BLITZEMBYE NZ (8).

Tips: 3-4-9-1

CAPTAIN CONFETTI NZ (3) each way

 

Race 2

ILLAWONG MUSTANG (3) should zip straight across the two horses to his inside and look to sit in this grade. Challenges for the front are likely to come from MEDIEVAL MAN (4), PETES HONOUR (5), and BETTORS PRIDE (7). Medieval Man probably lacks a quick last quarter compared to the other two horses.

PETES HONOUR (5) goes on top for me as he has been racing consistently and finds a race where driver Chris Lewis is likely to be aggressive early. He won at Pinjarra three starts ago, rating 1:56.1, 55.8. He was just fair last time, but on the basis that he may find the lead, he appeals at around the $4.40 mark. If Medieval Man were to lead, then the last quarter from Petes Honour could see him run past that horse also.

TIGER ROYAL NZ (9) drops sharply in grade from FFA company back to this NR 70 to 97. The draw is terrible which does concern me; however, his sectionals are the strongest in the race, including a 54.8 last half two runs back against Minstrel. He will probably be driven for luck and can be charging home late.

SWEET COCO NZ (6) resumes for Gary Hall Jnr and trialled nicely behind Captain Ravishing at Byford. She has won nine races from 32 starts, looks to have plenty of upside, and has strong claims in the event. I prefer to watch her go around first, especially at the current quote of $3.20.

Tips: 5-9-6-7

PETES HONOUR (5) to win

 

Race 3

SWEET LUCIFER (6) is ticking along nicely this preparation, and he finds a suitable assignment to stake his claim for victory. Four starts ago he was runner up behind Rockandrollartist, and all three runs since then have been full of merit. Not sure where he will be in the run, whether Donald Harper sends him forward at some stage, or just opts for cover in the moving line, expect him to let them know he is in the race in the final lap.

HES NEVER BEEN BETA NZ (2) would love to lead here with Gary Hall Jnr picking up the drive. He won from the breeze at Pinjarra three runs ago and his last start fourth behind The Iron Duke looked good. He is currently the $3 favourite and leading or racing in the top four in running will see his chances enhanced.

ARIONROCK (3) could easily be a forgotten runner in the race, and it wouldn’t shock to see him making a strong run late. He probably goes to the fence in this class, but his last half and quarters suggest he could be thereabouts at big odds if the race is run to suit. Worth throwing into any Trifecta or First 4 at the back end.

Like the previous two Christmas Gift Qualifiers, this is a tricky race to assess – I could see most of the field winning if the race is put on for them.

Tips: 6-2-3-9

SWEET LUCIFER (6) to win

 

Race 4

IMA FIVESTAR GENERAL NZ (3) has options from the draw for trainer-driver Robbie Williams. Plan A will be looking for the lead off HOPPYS WAY NZ (1) who is racing for the first time since August. Plan B will be to seek cover behind a horse like STAR CASINO NZ (5) or YOURE SO FINE NZ (6). His recent fourth behind Golden Lode was excellent and Ima Fivestar General looks value at the $8 mark.

STAR CASINO NZ (5) is the other horse that I considered for my top selection – he was huge in defeat when second to MAGNUS VICTOR (8) who draws poorly this time around. Star Casino is tough and with back-to-back seconds, he should be somewhere at the end of proceedings in the WA Pacing Cup Consolation.

ROLLING FIRE (12) draws poorly and will hope for some early speed which could eventuate. He faced Minstrel last time and carved out good sectionals personally. Will need luck but can run home strongly as his recent form as been quite good.

Tips: 3-5-12-11

IMA FIVESTAR GENERAL NZ (3) to win

STAR CASINO NZ (5) to win

 

Race 5

MINSTREL NZ (2) is the defending champion for the WA Pacing Cup, and he has gone to another level since that big win. He finished second in the Group 1 Inter Dominion Final (2300m) won by Don Hugo not long after the Pacing Cup triumph. Minstrel’s win in the Group 2 J P Stratton Cup (2536m) last start was awesome, sitting outside MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (8) to win in 1:54.7. From the good draw, he clearly goes on top in the $450,000 feature, and victory would see him surpass $2 million in prize money.

MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (8) looked back to his best in the Group 3 Navy Cup (2130m) when rating 1:53.6 and obliterating rivals by 18.8m. He should run the gate hard to try and cross Minstrel once again. It was a surprise to see him beaten when leading in the J P Stratton Cup, but his Navy Cup win suggests he is racing better than his defeat to Minstrel – should run well and has strong claims if he crosses to lead.

MISTER SMARTEE NZ (12) represents the powerful Gary Hall Snr stable, and the state’s best driver Gary Hall Jnr takes the reins. After finishing second in the race last year, Mister Smartee has won the Group 1 Golden Nugget, Group 1 The Nullarbor, and Group 1 Fremantle Cup. From barrier 12, he will let everything unfold and most likely sit back waiting to make his three-wide move into the race. He should peak for his grand final here and looks an each-way bet in the race.

Other considerations must go to BETTER ECLIPSE (1), GEE HEZA SPORT NZ (4), NEVER ENDING (5), MIGHTY RONALDO (11) and GOLDEN LODE NZ (13).

Tips: 2-8-12-5

MISTER SMARTEE NZ (12) each way

 

Race 6

MADAM PUBLISHER NZ (2) didn’t relish racing back in the field last time when finishing fifth. She will cross the inside horse for fun here and hopefully doesn’t cop any early heat from NUTBUSH GIRL (4). She has been racing well apart from the last start effort and if she can get away with a good run in front, she should take plenty of catching for trainer-driver Stuart McDonald.

AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ (5) is a classy mare for Team Bond with 21 victories from 45 career starts. She is probably going to face the breeze, which is not her preferred racing style, but her class will take her a long way in this race.

HEAVENLY GIPSY (3) is the other key winning chance and barrier three looks good here. Should race with cover on the speed. Place hopes to ALTA ALLURE (1) and NUTBUSH GIRL (4).

Tips: 2-5-3-1

MADAM PUBLISHER NZ (2) to win

 

Race 7

This is a wide-open race and I am not keen to get involved in anything based on the market at the time of writing. It is $4 the field with CONTROL THE ROOM (3), HENTY (4), CHASING REX (6), ARMA BELIEVER (8) and SPYGLASS NZ (9) all around a $4 to $8 quote.

CHASING REX (6) is racing in good form and Gary Hall Jnr may opt for the breeze position. Should run well.

CONTROL THE ROOM (3) was excellent in 3YO company last time. Meets the older horses now but the good draw should give him strong claims.

ARMA BELIEVER (8) could let rip off the arm and leading is his best chance of success, while SPYGLASS NZ (9) almost certainly has to go back from the bad draw. Could make a mid-race move or come three-wide late.

Tips: 6-3-8-9

No Tip

 

Race 8

SKIP A BEAT NZ (6) is the dominant favourite and it’s easy to see why after a Pinjarra victory in 1:56.4, 56.4. This is a horse that loves leading, so you need him to be there if you are going to take a $1.70 quote. Due to some uncertainty over whether he simply strolls to the front, I cannot tip anyone into him at the current price – would need a drift to get involved.

JIMMY ROCKS (8) is a resuming four-year-old gelding and he has raced against stronger company last preparation. The wide draw, first up, and Skip A Beat drawing inside are all obvious concerns, but the $10 or so on offer in the early markets is extremely appealing for a horse with his talent. If he is forward enough, he can run a good race first up from a spell.

ERA (10) and TRIROYALE BRIGADE NZ (7) are racing well enough to have knockout claims in the race.

Tips: 6-8-10-7

Trifecta: 6,8 / 6,7,8,10 / 2,6,7,8,10,11

JIMMY ROCKS (8) to win

 

Race 9

HI SUGA RUSH NZ (1) returns to the races and his recent trial was solid enough behind Captain Ravishing and Sweet Coco. They ran along in the trial when rating 1:55.9. Last prep wasn’t a good one for this horse, but a break should do him well. As long as TANTABIDDI (4) doesn’t cross, then Hi Suga Rush becomes the horse to beat.

THELITTLE MASTER (9) draws the car park as he drops in class and has race fitness on his side. His recent sectionals are the best in the race and with a bit of luck, he is a clear danger to the favourite.

MY WATCHLIST NZ (8) and NORTHVIEW DANCE NZ (6) are the other winning chances in the race. I will be a little shocked if anything else comes out and wins based on the barriers.

Tips: 1-9-8-6

HI SUGA RUSH NZ (1) to win

 

Race 10

KURIOUS BOY (7) ran fourth at his first run back from a spell when finishing 6.5m behind Beat The Bank and Sweet Ivy. Could be driven more aggressively with the main dangers drawing outside him. This is a tough race to finish on and will need around the $5 mark to get involved.

DOURADO (8) hasn’t found his 2024 form and a wide draw may not help the cause here despite it being a suitable assignment. He was poor last start and needs to improve in order to win.

STORMYSKYES (9) has a bit of class despite a horror draw. She is definitely good enough to beat this company and has each-way prospects.

Most of the field could bob up here and I can’t rule too many of them out with the exception of ZLATO NZ (2) and CALL TO ARMS (3) who face a tough task.

Tips: 7-8-9-10

KURIOUS BOY (7) to win

 

Summary

Best Bet: Race 6 – MADAM PUBLISHER NZ

Next Best: Race 3 – SWEET LUCIFER

Best Value: Race 4 – IMA FIVESTAR GENERAL NZ

Best Roughie: Race 1 – CAPTAIN CONFETTI NZ

 

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink