The $50,000 Mount Eden Sprint (1730m) takes pride of place at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Group 2 feature brings together WA’s best two horses, Chicago Bull and Shockwave, in what promises to be another mighty clash between the pair.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have, however, looked elsewhere on the 11-event card to find their star bets for the meeting.
The West Australian’s Racing Co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and The West’s Ernie Manning believe Liam Neil can line the pockets of punters.
“Liam Neil soundly accounted for a weaker field here Tuesday night at his second run for the Hall stable,” Havercroft said. “He looks likely to find the front from barrier two and will then be the one to beat.”
Manning agrees with his colleague.
“Liam Neil, a recent addition to Gary Hall’s stable, impressed in a Gloucester Park win on Tuesday night and looks ready for a successful class rise,” Manning said. “The five-year-old will be racing third-up and should be further improved. He is among top drives at the meeting for Hall’s reinsman son Gary Jnr.”
TABradio’s Hayden King is keen on the chances of another Hall runner in the last on the big program.
“The Ideal Touch has had a few easy kills but steps up now,” King said. “His times suggest he will measure up and get more prominent early than key rivals who are drawn wide. He looks hard to beat.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding is tipping a better night for punters on Friday night.
“Certainly last Friday night at GP was a distinct improvement over recent weeks for both tipsters and punters,” Harding said. “Hopefully the trend continues. My best bet for the meeting comes up in race four with No.5 Patrickthepiranha. He had a pretty ordinary run last week but we know he’s a better horse than that and I expect a far more positive showing this week.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst and leader in the Guild’s tipping competition Warren Wishart has made Carter Micheal his best bet.
“Carter Michael looks very well graded here and from the low draw should find the lead and be awfully hard to beat,” Wishart said.
TABradio’s Matt Young has opted for consistent mare Vivere Damore as his best.
“Vivere Damore has been unlucky as of late, she steps out from a positive draw and excels as a frontrunner,” Young said. “Looks a big player.”
However, Guild president Wayne Currall has a different spin on the race.
“American Delight drops in class for this assignment,” Currall said. “She has been racing against the A-grade mares of late and holding her own. She comes out of gate five, which shapes as a tricky draw, but trainer-driver Aiden De Campo should be able to position her just off the pace. She could prove too strong at the finish for her eight rivals.”
VALUE BETS
RYAN: Charlie El is unplaced through his last 41 starts, but can dispel his poor numerical form by following Liam Neil into the placings.
ERNIE: Im Soxy has not won in his past 19 starts, but will appreciate gate one and a class drop. He has raced in strong company when unplaced at his past two starts. The gelding is a winner of nine Gloucester Park races.
HAYDEN: Diamond Life has strung together a few strong wins and he rises in class now. However, he has shown all the attributes to suggest he can do work and still be a solid chance in this line-up.
PAT: My value bet comes in race 10 with No.7 Queen Shenandoah. She has been a model of consistency and I won't be at all surprised if she outruns this field and gives a good return.
WARREN: Im Soxy is another who looks well graded and he too should appreciate the low draw. Will be underestimated by the market and has solid claims.
MATT: Free To Air has drawn beautifully, he is racing well and has to be respected with normal race luck.
WAYNE: Punters who burnt their fingers on Euphoric Moment last start shouldn’t write him off. He’s drawn ideally in gate two and can finish over the top of them off a fast pace.
Good punting.
Wayne Currall