WA Media Guild Friday’s thoughts

Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park has been robbed of a little of its sparkle with the scratching of the returning Chicago Bull.

But it seems to be only a minor setback and we should see the champion pacer back at the track real soon.

Longshot guru Pat Harding and The West Australian’s Ernie Manning were quick to make Bletchley Park their star bet for the night after the scratching of “Bully”.

“Going to be an interesting night at GP this Friday for punters and tipsters alike – not too many standouts so there might be a bit of value on offer,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race four with No. 8 Bletchley Park. With main rival Chicago Bull scratched, I think this horse can make it three wins in a row after a spell. Had a great win a fortnight ago and I expect him to dominate this small field.”

And Manning agrees with Harding.

“Top reinsman Gary Hall Jr and Bletchley Park look set to complete a hat-trick in the free-for-all after wins at each of the five-year-old’s two starts since a spell,” Manning said. “Hall was to have driven Chicago Bull in this race, but the star veteran is sidelined by a virus infection. The Stephen Reed-trained Bletchley Park is living up to a big family reputation by winning 15 Gloucester Park races. His brother Bling It On, a former Sydney topliner, scored 49 victories and earned stakes of $1.8 million.”

The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is keen on Infatuation in race two.

“Infatuation led comfortably two starts back when collared in the closing stages by My Carbon Copy,” Havercroft said. “He is likely to face an early challenge from Thereugo, but should be in front or behind the leader and close enough to strike and return to winning form.”

TABRadio’s Matt Young believes punters can line their pockets by supporting Hengheng in race five.

“Hengheng has the draw to punch through and lead,” Young said. “He is a free-wheeling type and meets Finvarra first-up with a barrier advantage. Very keen on the big fella.”

Young’s colleague at TABradio, Hayden King is in the camp of Dominate The Dojo in the last.

“Dominate The Dojo should zing his way to the top in the last and take any amount of beating,” King said. “His run was a marvellous effort last start, considering the way he stuck on in hot sectionals after being lit up early.”

Guild president Wayne Currall is nothing but consistent, and is sticking with his best bet from last week in Savvy Bromac.

“We may have burnt our fingers by backing Savvy Bromac last week, but I’m keen on her again on Friday night,” Currall said. “She got to within a head of winner Delightfull last week and this race sets up lovely for her. I’m expecting a lot of early pace in this event and from the backline draw Emily Suvaljko should have her a bit closer to the leaders. She can then set Savvy alight and the mare should prove too powerful in the run home.”

VALUE BETS

PAT: My value bet comes up in race three with No. 5 Vivere Damour. Had a good third last week and I expect a good showing this week.

ERNIE: Major Artist has won only once in his past 28 appearances and he was unplaced at his last nine starts. But he showed glimpses of his best form by running fourths at Pinjarra on September 27 and at Gloucester Park last week. He is due to have a change of luck for trainer-reinsman Luke Edwards.

RYAN: Hengheng has acquitted himself well when rising in class recently. I like him being drawn close to the fence and think he represents an each-way play.

MATT: Joe With The Flow hit the line last start looking for a run, it’s an open race and he will get a good run.

HAYDEN: I think Thereugo can cross and then stablemate Bettorstartdreaming will be first on the scene to accept the lead from him. Bettorstartdreaming has lifted to another level in recent times and from the front he would be a mighty opponent.

WAYNE: Machnificent disappointed last week when he finished sixth as the second favourite. But tramping three deep is not his go. Is drawn to get a cushy run on the pegs and will be charging late. Can salute at odds.

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

Good punting.

To view the Gloucester Park fields for Friday click here.

By Wayne Currall for Gloucester Park