It’s a mixed bag of best bets from members of the WA Trotting Media Guild for Friday night’s meeting at Gloucester Park.
Only two members – The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and longshot king Pat Harding – have settled on the same horse as their star bet for the 11-event program.
“Taroona Bromac was terribly held up two starts ago in the 4YO Championship and sat on the sidelines as an emergency for last week’s 4YO Classic,” Havercroft said. ”Trainers Greg and Skye Bond will be trying to make sure he lines up next week in the Golden Nugget and so he should be accounting for his rivals on Friday.“
And Harding agrees.
“My best bet of the night comes up in race six with No. 11 Taroona Bromac,” Harding said. “I think this horse has a great future in WA and as this is a pretty weak field. I expect him to win again.”
Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart is keen on Shadow Roll in race seven.
“Shadow Roll went very well over the sprint trip behind a good one (Its Rock And Roll) on Monday at Pinjarra from the back line,” Wishart said. “Much better drawn here and he looks a good thing. It was tough for most punters last week, but there looks to be a few standouts this week.”
TABradio racecaller Matt Young believes Roman Aviator can post an all-the-way victory.
“Roman Aviator has drawn to lead and will run a super mile out in front,” Young said. “It looks his race to win.“
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning has advised punters to keep their powder dry until the last race.
“Tiffany Rose, on trial for a trip to tackle next month’s Victoria Oaks, is shaping to maintain her unbeaten WA record,” Manning said. ”The filly, who ran four seconds and three thirds from eight New Zealand starts, has blossomed to win each of her three races since joining Mike Reed’s stable. She scored twice over 1684m at Pinjarra, then produced a stylish front-running display in her Gloucester Park debut a fortnight ago. The filly looks capable of matching top opposition in Melbourne.”
Gloucester Park stalwart Ken Casellas is a Convert Denario fan.
“A massive drop in class should enable Convert Denario to account for his rivals in the 10th event on Friday night, despite his awkward draw at barrier seven in a field of eight,” Casellas said. “Therefore, I am more than happy to make the Clint Hall-trained six-year-old my best bet.
Convert Denario was an 80/1 outsider in the Group 2 Bunbury Cup in which he led early and then sat behind the pacemaker Handsandwheels before running home solidly along the sprint lane to be a 2m second to that pacer.”
TABradio’s form expert Hayden King is firmly in the camp of Gotta Go Gabbana.
“Annie Belton has been attending the Christian Cullen chapel and praying for a barrier with Gotta Go Gabbana,” King said. “Her prayers have been answered and her prized mare should lead throughout.”
Guild president Wayne Currall believes the speedy Saleahs Command can lead all the way in the second event.
“Lindsay Harper will be keen to fire Saleahs Command out from gate two over the sprint trip,” Currall said. “He always runs a cheeky race when in front and can keep his rivals at bay here.”
VALUE BETS
RYAN: Mon Lillies has blistering early speed and this isn’t a strong field. Will give cheek if she finds the top.
PAT: My value bet comes up in race four. With only a small field I think No. eight Vultan Tin can take the prize. Given that its a 2536 metre race, I believe he will come home with a wet sail.
WARREN: Mister Ardee can run a race here from the good draw. I’m expecting some heat mid-race and he can finish off strongly. The $11 indicative price looks good each-way value.
MATT: Miss Sangrial is a great each-way chance and has the gate speed to put herself into a great position.
ERNIE: Gunna Get Lucky appears ready to be prominent in her return to city racing. The veteran’s only win in her past 26 starts was a Wagin victory which she notched on November 22. But she has won 10 races and can improve on a Narrogin second last Friday night.
KEN: For value, I suggest Always An Honour in race eight, a 2096m stand in which he is sure to seriously test the warm favourite Kiwi Bloke. A proven standing-start performer, Always An Honour romped home at his most recent outing when he beat Five Star Major by 13 lengths at Bunbury.
HAYDEN: Sergeant Oats has drawn the pole and they will likely exercise the option of leading this time with Hall Jr engaged. He can lead throughout.
WAYNE: The Gary Hall-trained Just Rockon Bye could be the forgotten horse in the Group 1 Westral Mares Classic. She was most unlucky in the Mount Eden Sprint in October and will be rocketing home if the pace is on over the longer trip.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Wayne Currall