WA Media Guild Friday’s thoughts

Friday night’s card at Gloucester Park features four Group 2 Gold Bullion Series Finals events for the three-year-olds and the two-year-olds.

The four races – two for the colts and geldings and two for the fillies – are worth $50,000 each, with the winner taking home a cool $32,000.

Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have come up with a mixed bag for their best bets on the 11-event card.

TABradio’s Matt Young has thrown one out at odds in race two.

“Distinguished Taste has blinding gate speed and I’m expecting the Bunbury-trained gelding to charge across and lead,” Young said. “From there he wins, in my opinion.”

The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and Guild president Wayne Currall believe punters can add to their bank by supporting Power And Grace in race three.

“Power And Grace is in line for his 10th Gloucester Park win after drawing the pole,” Manning said. “His last-start 11th in the 4 & 5YO Championship a fortnight ago can be overlooked because he was restrained after being trapped three-wide from gate five. The five-year-old faced an impossible task from his rearward position. He has tackled four races since a transfer to trainer Ross Olivieri and impressed with a front-running win at headquarters on April 1.”

And Currall agrees.

“Gate one, Chris Lewis in the bike and a Ross Olivieri-trained horse … need I say more,” Currall said. “Power And Grace should be able to boot up and lead and from there he’s the horse they all have to get over. Looks a banker for all-ups and the early quaddie.”

TABradio’s Hayden King is keen on Babyface Adda in race five.

“Babyface Adda is drawn to be right on the back of Fanci A Dance over the long trip,” King said. “He has a dynamic sprint and I’m prepared to forgive his Narrogin Cup run. He will be hard to hold out.”

Veteran journalist Ken Casellas has opted for Unconditional as his best for the night.

“Leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond are experiencing a feast of winners,” Casellas said. “They had four at Gloucester Park last Friday night and one at Northam the following evening – and they should again be prominent on Friday night when I have chosen their four-year-old mare Unconditional as my best bet. Unconditional set a fast pace when an excellent second to stablemate Booraa last week, and she looks ideally suited from barrier three in the sixth event, the 2130m Hoist Torque Australian Pace. The Bonds and reinsman Ryan Warwick also have excellent winning prospects with Ima Rockabilly Rebel and Dont Bother Me None.”

The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is willing to forgive Swingband for his last-start “rodeo” display.

“Swingband has a 50 per cent winning strike rate and he looks well-placed to increase that on Fridaynight with a class edge over his rivals,” Havercroft said. “The son of Alta Christiano made a rare mistake when a beaten $1.12 favourite in a Gold Bullion heat last time out but has trialled since and can take his earnings beyond $100,000 at his 13th start.”

Value bets

MATT: Juggernaught was eye-catching on return. It is an open race and from the barrier draw I think this bloke can win.

ERNIE: The Tiger Army has recorded only one win in his past 16 starts and was unplaced in three appearances since a transfer to trainer Nathan Turvey. However, last Monday he showed a glimpse of his talent when fourth in a Pinjarra standing-start event. He has won 11 races.

WAYNE: Illawong Mustang won from gate eight last week. He’s drawn the pole on Friday night and even if he does get crossed by the speedy Distinguished Taste, he’s still going to get a sweet ride home. Each-way all day.

HAYDEN: I’m going to multi up Born To Boogie (R1), Power And Grace (R3), Babyface Adda (R5) and Swingband (R8) for a result.

KEN: For value, I suggest Blissfullabbey, who will be at handsome odds from the No. 1 barrier in race one. She put in a wonderful effort to surge home from the rear when a head second to Illawong Mustang last Friday night.

RYAN: Two Bob Cracker was an eye-catching run in the Easter Cup after winning at his previous two starts. Each-way again.

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

Good punting.