WA Media Guild Friday’s thoughts

It’s the last meeting of 2021 on Friday night at Gloucester Park and members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are hoping to finish the year with a bang.

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TABradio’s Hayden King believes punters can build their bank early doors by siding with Maungatahi in the first race on the card.

“Maungatahi should run to the front in the opener and take all the beating over the short trip,” King said. “He caught the eye when flashing home last start.”

Racing co-ordinator at The West Australian Ryan Havercroft has made Ragazzo Mach his special for the evening.

“Regazzo Mach has been impressive at two Pinjarra starts since arriving in WA,” Havercroft said. “The son of Mach Three exploded late on debut then worked hard to lead before decimating his rivals most recently. He looks to be a special talent who should improve his impressive record compiled in New Zealand.”

Longshot guru Pat Harding and The West Australians Ernie Manning have settled on Fifty Five Reborn as their best.

“Looks like the Bond and Hall names might feature prominently this week,” Harding said. “However, my best bet comes up in race three with No. 4 Fifty Five Reborn. She’s been a bit unlucky at recent starts but has a good draw and I think Colin Brown can bring her home.”

And Manning is thinking along the same lines.

“The Colin Brown-trained Fifty Five Reborn has not won in six starts since a spell,” Manning said. “But she flagged a return to peak form when finishing second after facing the breeze on December 17. The mare showed class in four Gloucester Park wins at consecutive starts last winter. She has won 13 races at headquarters.”

Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas is keen on Nota Bene Denario in race seven.

“Nota Bene Denario has drawn out wide at barrier No. 8 in the seventh event at Gloucester Park on Friday night, but he has the ability to overcome this disadvantage, and he is my best bet on what should prove to be an evening of exciting and competitive racing,” Casellas said. “After leading for the first 550m and then trailing the pacemaker Alta Intrigue, Nota Bene Denario ran home solidly to finish a half-length second to that pacer.”

But Guild president sees a different outcome to the race.

“Thereugo leads easily from the pole,” Currall said. “Hopefully, for the sake of my best bet, Lindsay Harper keeps the front and Alice Kay gets the run of the race behind the leader. If that scenario eventuates, I think Alice Kay can sprint clear once she sees daylight.”

TABradio’s Matt Young is keen on Know When To Run in the second last.

“Know When To Run should be leading and winning,” Young said. “He’s been crying out for a draw and finally gets it.”

VALUE BETS

HAYDEN: I’m actually going to Bunbury for my best value. Amelia Rocks in race four flashed home last start from an impossible position to run third. Although this race is over the mile, there could be some heat. She will be finishing hard.

RYAN: Vultan Tin should be improved with three weeks since his first-up fifth. The race could shape well for him with more fancied runners looking susceptible in recent times.

PAT: My value double comes up in race five with No. 6 Chicago Bull. Second up after a spell and 2536 metres should suit him well and we might just see “The Bull” return to the winning list.

ERNIE: Despite having won only one race in his past 15 starts, Burning Rubber cannot be underrated. He has drawn attention when running second, third and fourth at Gloucester Park in the past three weeks.

KEN: For value, I suggest Infatuation from barrier seven in race nine. He was poised to win last Friday night when he met with severe interference 150m from the post and dropped back to finish a distant 10th behind Tiza New Day.

WAYNE: Battlescard has been racing in great form and looks a great each-way chance in the first, despite his awkward draw over the sprint trip.

MATT: Heez Our Perseus has a tough draw but was very unlucky last start. Looks a strong each-way chance.

Wishing all punters a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

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

Good punting.

By Wayne Currall for Gloucester Park