Last season’s top harness racing two-year-old filly Cott Beach is poised to continue on her winning ways when she steps out in the last race at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Cott Beach returned to the track earlier this month after a four-month break. She’s now a three-year-old and she put a field of older pacers to the sword at Bunbury with her scintillating turn of foot from the mobile to lead all the way.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild believe she’s the best of good things. The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, leading tipster Stuart Lowe, and the West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft have all put a star next to Cott Beach’s name.
Manning spoke for his colleagues when he said Cott Beach looked as good as her juvenile days at her return. “Cott Beach emerged as WA’s star two-year-old filly last season when winning at six of 10 starts and she appears to have bounced back as good as ever,” he said. “She was most impressive when winning first-up with a strong front-running display over 2100m at Bunbury on November 5.
“The filly had not raced since a second to brilliant juvenile Jack Mac in the Golden Slipper last July and she should be fitter for her city return. Expected to lead all the way from gate six.”
On-course announcer Ken Casellas and Guild president Wayne Currall are keen on Ohoka Darcy.
Casellas spoke for himself and Currall when he said Ohoka Darcy should be in a commanding position from the start from gate two.
“On a program in which punters should get plenty of value, Ohoka Darcy gets my nod as the star bet of the evening,” he said. “Chris Lewis will drive the Nathan Turvey-trained five-year-old for the first time in the third heat of the www.perthinterdominion.com.au Kersley Pace. “Ohoka Darcy has been freshened up since he sustained a spirited three-wide burst from ninth (and last) in the middle stages to finish third behind Tanaka Eagle on October 20. Four starts before that he led from the pole and won from Our Zak Whitby over 1730m in a 1.56.1 rate.”
TABradio’s announcer Matt Young is a fan of Rub Of The Green. “Best of the night is in the FFA in the shape of Rub Of The Green,” he said. “He returned with an effort that was sure to see him fit enough for this run. He’s drawn to lead and over the short course he looks the winner on paper.”
The Sunday Times columnist Robbie Dewar is keen on Lets Chase The Dream. “This Gary Hall-trained pacer is still in the Inters and has to win here to justify his place in the series,” he said. “He posted an all-the-way victory at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon and he can go on with it here.”
Veteran tipster Bill Brindley fancies the Barry Howlett trained Talktomeurmattjesty. “He’s a classy customer resuming from a spell,” he said. “Chris Lewis has been engaged for the drive and I think he should prove too strong for his main rival, Messi.”
Longshot king Pat Harding has made Herrick Roosevelt his best bet. “Herrick Roosevelt should be able to win the Golden Nugget Prelude.” he said. “Faces some good opposition but looks like a Golden Nugget finalist.”
VALUE BETS
Ernie: James Galleon could improve with Gary Hall Jr electing to drive.
Stuart: Space Junk is up in class but well drawn. Will go close.
Ryan: Space Junk is drawn to get a similar run as he did when he won at Narrogin.
Ken: Kid Colossus meets moderate opposition and is capable of fighting on gamely.
Wayne: Rocknroll Lincoln can upstage the more fancied players in the Nugget Prelude.
Matt: Auctioneers Elsu has been absolutely flying. Can win the first at good odds.
Robbie: Mcardles Gem has drawn the back line in the opening event but can still win.
Bill: Courage Tells is dropping in class. Has been running good times in stronger fields.
Pat: The Bond-trained Messi is capable of leading all the way from his inside draw.
To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.
Good punting.
Wayne Currall