Several members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have made the Bob Mellsop-trained Real Lucky their star harness racing bet at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The $50,000 Worldwide Printing Lord Mayors Cup (2536m) highlights an action-packed nine-event program where finding winners will test punters.
But The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft, leading tipster Stuart Lowe, TABradio’s Matt Young and Guild president Wayne Currall all believe the polemarker Real Lucky can score an all-the-way victory for champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr.
Havercroft spoke for his colleagues when he said Real Lucky had been flying of late and had drawn perfectly to score his third win from his past four starts.
“Real Lucky ran a close second to Abraxas Blues in a heat of the Nights Of Thunder but failed to qualify for the final at his last outing,” Havercroft said. “This Friday he has drawn the pole and should be returning to winning form in the fourth race.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning is a fan of consistent mare Alkiras Desire.
“Alkiras Desire looks set to break through for her first Gloucester Park win in the seventh race after being placed at six of seven starts there,” Manning said. “Champion reinsman Chris Lewis, who had a choice of drives in the race, elected to stay with her. Second and third at headquarters in her past two appearances, she should be solidly conditioned after six starts since a spell.”
On-course announcer Ken Casellas has pinned his hopes to another mare in an earlier race.
“Forget Tajies Girl’s last-start failure at Northam and support her to lead all the way in the second event on Friday night,” Casellas said. “The Kevin Keys-trained eight-year-old excels as a frontrunner as she showed two starts ago when she set the pace and won from Gotta Go Gabbana. She is my star bet this week.”
Longshot king Pat Harding believes finding winners will be a tough task on Friday night.
“However, in the Lord Mayors Cup I expect Chicago Bull to bounce back to the winners’ circle,” Harding said. “He’s ideally placed from barrier two and this should prove a great opportunity for Hall Jr to take him to an early lead and land an all-the-way win.”
Veteran tipster Bill Brindley thinks punters can get off to a flyer by supporting Speed Man in the opening event.
“My best bet is Speed Man in the first race for the three-year-olds,” Brindley said. “He has plenty of ability and should prove too classy for the opposition. Stablemate Ima Rocknroll Legend can give Gary Hall and his son, Junior, a winning double by taking out the third race.”
VALUE BETS
Ryan: Ohoka Punter is drawn to get an economical run in the Lord Mayors Cup. With Bettors Fire the likely leader, expect one of five Gary Hall runners to keep the leader honest.
Stuart: Chuck Norris is back to a mobile here and is well drawn. His recent efforts have been good and he can figure at each-way odds.
Matt: Chuck Norris has come up with the good draw and gets the nod for me as best value.
Wayne: Hot Fraternity has drawn the outside gate, but he drops in class and if Bailey McDonough can work him to the top he’ll prove the testing material.
Ernie: Whitbys Gamble, who returned in fine fettle from a Kalgoorlie campaign, has impressed when third at Pinjarra and fourth at GP during the past fortnight.
Ken: Its My Lucknow begins from the inside of the back line in the Worldwide West Perth Pace. The Sarah Suvaljko-trained mare continues to compete with refreshing enthusiasm
Pat: The consistent Alkiras Desire should prevail. With Chris Lewis aboard I feel she could be a good bet for punters.
Bill: Albany pacer Good Times Ahead has displayed his talent in previous trips to GP and with Aldo Cortopassi in the cart is my value bet at the meeting.
Good punting.
Wayne Currall