WA Media Guild thoughts 14 August

For the third week in a row, veteran trotting journalist Ken Caselllas and WA Trotting Media Guild president Wayne Currall have come up with the same best-bet selection.

Two weeks ago, Casellas and Currall settled on Just Wing It as their best bet – he got rolled as an odds-on favourite, then last week the pair came up with Rock Me Over as their star bet for the meeting – he also went down as a short-priced favourite.

This week both tipsters hope it’s a case of third time lucky.

“Captain Kirk will be short but sweet in the opening event at Gloucester Park on Friday night and I have made him my best bet to give punters a flying start to the meeting,” Casellas said. “The five-year-old should be cherry ripe at his fourth start after a spell to return to the winning list. He was most unlucky last week when he was hopelessly blocked for a clear passage in the home straight and finished fifth behind American Delight.“

Currall agrees with Casellas.

“I’m hoping that Ken and I can break our duck on Friday night,” Currall said. “Leading reinsman Ryan Warwick will be looking to cross Whoswhointhezoo at the start with Captain Kirk and then set the pace in front. I think this race will be won or lost when the starter says go. I’m banking on Captain Kirk having enough speed to get past the polemarker early doors to score an all-the-way victory.”

Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart has made Chicago Bull his best bet for the night.

“My best bet comes up in race five with No.1 Chicago Bull,” Wishart said. “I’m going to the feature race this week and sticking with the champ in Bully. He’s been too good for them from wide draws, so from gate one I think he can prevail. The best horse from the best barrier is definitely a good formula to follow.“

The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, longshot guru Pat Harding and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft believe the classy Patronus Star can continue on his winning way.

“Class three-year-old Patronus Star, unbeaten in five races including the WA Derby since arriving from New Zealand, was highly impressive when notching a $50,000 San Simeon Pace victory last Friday night,” Manning said. “The gelding, whose Kiwi record was two wins from seven starts, has blossomed since joining the stable of Greg and Skye Bond.“

Harding agrees with Manning.

“While it looks like another tough night at GP this Friday, there are a few bright lights on the horizon and one of those is my best bet of the night which comes up in race eight,” Harding said. “Patronus Star from barrier three certainly lived up to his name with a great win last week. I think he can make it four wins on the trot and bring some joy to punters.”

Havercroft makes it a treble for best bets.

“Patronus Star looked to have something in reserve when winning last week’s San Simeon Classic,” Havercroft said. “He remains undefeated in five local starts and looks to have a promising future on what he has done so far.”

VALUE BETS

KEN: For value, I suggest Robbie Easton from the outside barrier in race two. He is racing with great spirit and has the class to overcome the disadvantage of the No. 9 draw.

WAYNE: Tough mare Talkerup drops in class on her recent assignments and can run a race at odds in race three.

WARREN: My best value is Golden State, who has drawn gate two in race four. Looks a good race for him from the low draw. He’s been competitive in the better races and sneaks into this lesser-class race. The $8 looks very appealing.

ERNIE: Stop The Watch’s only placings from seven Gloucester Park starts have been two thirds. He has not finished closer than seventh in his past three city appearances, but he showed peak form when a stylish Bunbury winner last Saturday night and cannot be underrated  at metropolitan level.

PAT: My value bet come up in race six. My Prayer from gate 10 ran a good second at her last start and i think has a real chance in this race, I m sure experienced driver Colin Brown will have her well placed behind the leaders and ready to pounce. She looks like good each-way value.

RYAN: Bletchley Park will have first option to drop to the rails and sit on Chicago Bull’s back. Place-heavy play from there.

To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.

Good punting.

Ken Casellas