WA Media Guild Friday’s thoughts

The members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have come up with several best bets for Friday night’s action-packed 10-event card at Gloucester Park.

To view the fields click here.

TABradio’s host of the One Out One Back show Matt Young believes punters can get the night off to a flyer by putting their hard-earned on Otis in the opening event.

“Otis has the draw to waltz his way to the front and should be winning,” Young said. “He can open the night as a winner and put some extra dollars in the wallets of punters.”

At the other end of the card, award-winning journalist Ken Casellas is keen on High Price.

“End the night on a winning note – that’s my message for Gloucester Park this week,” Casellas said. “High Price is the least experienced runner in race 10, but he is the most exciting two-year-old in the event, and he’s my best bet for the evening. He made an impressive debut two weeks ago when he led from barrier one and beat the fast-finishing Paul Edward. It won’t be as easy this week from the outside barrier, but he is an emerging star with splendid gate speed as well as having the ability to produce a powerful finishing burst, if required.”

The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has made another Gary Hall-trained pacer as his star bet.

“Jumpingjackmac was outstanding first-up when sitting outside Stamford before holding off a race-fit Otis in the closing stages last Friday,” Havercroft said. “He steps up in class to tackle older pacers in The Kersley this week, but with natural improvement he should take beating again.”

And yet another Hall-trained pacer has taken the eye of TABradio’s Hayden King.

“My Carbon Copy succumbed to unsustainable pressure first-up,” King said. “If anything, this looks easier and he’ll certainly be fitter. He’s a horse with quality and I think he’ll win better races than this.”

Longshot guru Pat Harding has labelled consistent mare Star Of Diamonds as his best for the night.

“Another tough night at GP last Friday, hopefully a better one for punters and tipsters this week,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race three with No. 8 Star Of Diamonds. She has been most consistent with a string of placings but I think she can break through here for and with Chris Voak aboard record a good win.”

Guild president Wayne Currall has opted for Always An Angel as his special.

“Always An Angel will probably go around in the red, but I think punters can use her as a banker for all-ups and exotics,” Currall said. “She has drawn gate two, inside of her main rivals, and champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr is expected to make the most of that advantage and push for an all-the-way victory.”

The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is keen on Lord Rosco in race seven.

“Talented six-year-old Lord Rosco looks close to regaining form which delivered him 11 wins in a sequence of 15 starts last year,” Manning said. “The Stephen Reed-trained gelding has not won in his past 14 appearances, but he impressed when running two close seconds after leading at Gloucester Park last month. To be driven by Chris Lewis, the pacer has started in five races since a spell and should be solidly conditioned.”

VALUE BETS

MATT: Roman Art is fitter and has a nice trailing draw. If he gets some luck in the last lap, he will be dangerous late.

KEN: For value, I suggest Bettorstartdreaming from out wide at barrier eight in race six. He is poised for bigger and better things.

RYAN: Howard Hughes looks a value play for mine in a race where nominal favourite Bletchley Park has drawn awkwardly.

HAYDEN: A win multi for me this week. Otis will handle the step up in the first, Euphoria should invoke happiness in the second, after last week Hall Jr said Jumpingjackmac is Sr’s best horse, My Carbon Copy, and Always An Angel is on a hot streak.

PAT: My double comes up in race nine with the Justin Prentice-trained Always An Angel from barrier two. With three wins in a row and Garry Hall Jr aboard she should make it four.

WAYNE: I’m following the lead of Hayden – although not as adventurous as him – and opting for an all-up investment. Otis in the first, into Jumpingjackmac in the feature event, into Always An Angel. You won’t get rich, but as a wise old punter once told me – “little fish are sweet”.

ERNIE: Talented mare Queen Shenandoah has been freshened since last racing four weeks ago and is capable of breaking through for a win after being beaten at 15 consecutive starts. A winner of 14 races, including five at Gloucester Park, she is a quality performer when at her best.

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

Good punting.

By Wayne Currall