WA Media Guild Friday’s thoughts

The $50,000 RWWA Cup (2130m) highlights a 10-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The Group 2 feature promises to be an action-packed race with the likes of Hurricane Harley, Bletchley Park, Mighty Conqueror, Wildwest and Galactic Star set to do battle.

The members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have done their homework and have come up with their best bets for the meeting.

The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes Hurricane Harley can record a hat-trick of wins in the RWWA Cup.

“Hurricane Harley looks a genuine leading contender for Fremantle Pacing Cup and WA Pacing Cup honours after emphatic wins at his past two starts,” Manning said. “He  could not have been more impressive when eclipsing classy opposition in the Mount Eden Sprint and Howard Porter Memorial Pace. The five-year-old, a winner of 21 interstate races, can be excused for a fifth at his WA debut three starts ago. He had not raced for nine months and was having his first look at Gloucester Park. As a lone back marker, he can be freely manoeuvred in the early stages by reinsman Gary Hall Jr.”

Three members of the Guild – TABradio’s Matt Young and Hayden King, and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft – have all settled on Machlani as their best for the night.

“Machlani has finally got a draw, will come out humming to hold Tyler Brett and if he can, he will lead and win for my liking,” Young said.

And Young’s colleague at TABradio, King, agrees.

“Machlani is the big class dropper and big winner from the barrier draw,,” King said. “Forget his numerical form – he’s been chasing Hampton Banner and Major Martini before he was luckless last week. I expect him to kick-up, lead and go all the way.”

And Havercroft makes it a clean sweep.

“Machlani gets into this race nicely, meeting a field devoid of any numerical form,” Havercroft said. “Though he has started at long odds recently, he does go well from the inside draw, highlighted by consecutive placings behind Hampton Banner last campaign when starting from barrier one.”

Longshot guru Pat Harding is keen on Star Of Diamonds in race four.

“Another interesting night of harness racing this Friday night with again a few short-priced favourites,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race four with No. 7 Star Of Diamonds. Hasn’t had much luck in her last two races, but there is not a great deal of form in this race and I think Chris Voak can guide her to a much-needed win.”

Award-winning scribe Ken Casellas has made Typhoon Banner his standout selection for the night.

“Placings behind brilliant pacers Born To Boogie and Hampton Banner followed by a strong-finishing second to the speedy Back In Twenty last week are a firm indication of Typhoon Banner’s ability,” Casellas said. “And it’s for these reasons that I’m making the four-year-old my best bet this week when I predict he will be capable of overcoming the disadvantage of starting from the outside of the back line in race two when his clash with Leosabi should provide plenty of fireworks.”

Guild president Wayne Currall is confident punters can get off to a profitable start by supporting Know When To Run in the opening event.

“Know When To Run has had three starts back from an almost two-year absence from the track and should be approaching peak fitness now,” Currall said. “His last effort to finish third to the classy Finvarra in a mile rate of 1:56.1 was full of merit. He regains the services of champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr here and he’s primed to win.”

VALUE BETS

ERNIE: Vivere Damore has not won at her past 11 starts, but there was merit in her two thirds behind talented rivals last month. A winner of eight Gloucester Park races, she has trialled satisfactorily since a last-start failure.

MATT: Sangue Reale was eye-catching last run. We know the horse has plenty of ability and this is a suitable race. He’s each-way all day.

HAYDEN: Whoswhointhezoo is drawn to sit close to the speed and is ready to win. He finished well last start and the big horse is a major winning chance this week.

RYAN: Patrikiar’s two Collie wins have both been impressive. This is much harder but she has been racing well of late.

PAT: My double comes up in race three with No. 4 Fanci A Dance. Had a win three starts back and wouldn’t be surprised if he bobs up again.

KEN: For value, I suggest Three Rumours in race 10. She is racing keenly, and if she leads, as is most likely, she will have a great chance to beat smart newcomers Soho Broadway and Sahara Storm.

WAYNE: McArdles Gem looks a great play in race six. He follows out likely leader Machlani and, though it’s hard to see him running down the frontrunner, will have every chance to finish in the money.

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

Click here to view the fields for Gloucester Park on Friday.

Good punting.

By Wayne Currall for Gloucester Park