WA Media Guild Friday’s thoughts

The members of the WA Trotting Media Guild are at odds with each other in a couple of races at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has made polemarker Space Junk his best bet in race three, but longshot king Pat Harding has opted for Queen Shenandoah as his best in the same race.

“It’s fair to say Space Junk has mixed his form of late, but closer inspection indicates he does his best racing from inside draws with his last three wins all coming from barriers one or two,” Havercroft said. “The Giles Inwood-trained gelding is drawn where he wants to be here and should be contesting the finish.”

But Harding sees a different outcome.

“Looking forward to an interesting night at GP as there could be a bit of value for punters,” Harding said. “My best bet  comes up in race three with No. 4 Queen Shenandoah. She has been knocking on the door and is overdue for a win. In this small field over 2536 metres I think Chris Voak can guide her to victory.”

And we have another clash of opinions in race eight.

Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas has made Illawong Mustang his best for the night, but Media Guild president Wayne Currall has gone for Thereugo in the same race.

“There is a huge amount of experience in race eight, the Simmonds Steel Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, with eight of the nine runners having amassed a combined total of 908 starts (an average of 113),” Casellas said. “The odd horse out is the youngest and least experienced runner, four-year-old Illawong Mustang, a comparative novice of 35 starts. There is no substitute for youth, and therefore I’m happy to make Illawong Mustang my best bet for the night. He ran home strongly from 12TH at the bell to finish a well-beaten third behind Soho Gigolo on Wednesday of last week. I’m confident he will improve on that encouraging effort.”

But Currall disagrees.

“If ever Thereugo is going to break back into the winners’ list, then this is the race,” Currall said. “This is a slow front line and trainer-driver Lindsay Harper can use Thereugo’s explosive speed from gate nine to take up the running … and I don’t expect he’ll be surrendering the lead this week when he finds the top. I’m tipping an all-the-way victory for Thereugo.”

The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is keen on Machnificent to continue his winning streak in race nine.

“Three-year-old Machnificent looks back to his best after winning by a big margin at Bunbury last Saturday night,” Manning said. “The Kat Warwick-trained colt showed considerable talent before he struck a slump and was beaten at eight consecutive starts. He has put that behind him in wins at five of his past seven appearances. Primed to record his fourth straight victory this month, he seems set to confirm his Group 1 Golden Nugget potential.”

TABradio’s Matt Young believes the consistent Euphoric Moment can post an overdue win in race seven.

“Euphoric Moment has found a great race,” Young said. “Deni Roberts can position himself outside them and be the strongest late in running.”

VALUE BETS

RYAN: I am happy to play horses in form going up in class at long odds. Vespa fits that model, winning twice in town before a sound fourth at Pinjarra on Monday.

PAT: Mt double bet of the night comes up in the last race on the program with No. 3 Wonderful To Fly. She has had three wins in recent starts and a couple of stumbles, but tonight could be her night in this small field.

KEN: For value, I suggest Otis in race nine. He rated 1.56.4 in scoring a runaway trial victory at Byford on Sunday morning and he is poised for a super first-up performance.

WAYNE: Henwood Bay looks like getting a lovely run behind favourite and probable leader Al Guerrero in the Group 2 Retravision Binshaw (2130m). He appeals as a sound each-way investment.

ERNIE: Cavalry Call has not won in his last 13 races and was unplaced at Kellerberrin last Sunday, but the Peter Tilbrook-trained veteran gets his chance to break a drought after drawing gate two.

Though winning only twice in 69 starts at Gloucester Park, he caught the eye there when fifth after being blocked on August 13.

MATT: Burning Rubber is racing well, the small field and class suits. He should run well.

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

Click here to view this Friday night’s Gloucester Park fields.

Good punting.