The Listed Garrards Horse & Hound BOTRA Cup (2503m) headlines a stellar 10-event card at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
And the support program featuring the clash between Chicago Bull, Magnificent Storm and Jumpingjackmac is shaping as an intriguing race.
Members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have bypassed the standing-start cup when settling on their best bets, but longshot guru Pat Harding is quite keen on the “Little Bull” as his best for the night.
“Should be an interesting night at GP this Friday - might be the odd surprise or two,” Harding said.
“My best bet comes up in race five with No. 3 Chicago Bull. With three runs back after a spell and three placings I think he is ready to win.”
TABradio’s Hayden King believes Typhoon Banner can take out race three.
“Typhoon Banner is a big chance of sizzling over from the deepest barrier and rushing to the front,” King said. “They wouldn't beat him from the top.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft has labelled Arma Einstein as his star bet for the evening.
“The last time Arma Einstein drew the inside barrier, the son of Renaissance Man led throughout in a sub 1.55 mile rate.” Havercroft said. “Trainer-reinsman Colin Brown won’t be passing up the opportunity to repeat the feat this week, looking to capitalise on an ideal draw and some good recent form from sticky barriers.”
The West Australian’s Ernie Manning and Guild president Wayne Currall are both firmly in the camp of Angel In White in race seven.
“Talented performer Angel In White gets the chance to notch her 15th win when she drops back to fillies and mares company, with barrier one has an added bonus,” Manning said. “She ran third after starting from gate seven and facing the breeze two starts ago. The mare had barrier five and finished fifth to Lavra Joe last Friday night. The tally from her past nine starts is three wins, two seconds, two thirds and two fifths.”
And Currall agrees with Manning’s summation.
“Angel In White is drawn to run a mighty race from the front,” Currall said. “I can’t see a lot of pressure in this race – despite the two class mares in Savvy Bromac and Balcatherine – and Emily Suvaljko should be able to dictate terms in the lead to make it hard for her rivals.”
Veteran journalist Ken Casellas has made the promising Louie The Lip his best bet.
“Eleven of the 12 runners in the eighth event at Gloucester Park on Friday night have contested a total of 1127 events, an average of just over 102 starts per horse, and between them they have won 201 races,” the man who loves stats said. “They will be clashing with four-year-old Louie The Lip, who will be lining up for his sixth start in a race.
Despite Louie The Lip’s inexperience, I’m very happy to make him my best bet of the night. He impressed at Gloucester Park on Tuesday night when he was ninth at the 900m and then sustained a spirited three-wide burst to hit the front at the 100m and win in fine style from Linebacker.”
VALUE BETS
PAT: My double comes up in race eight with No. 3 One For Dave Andme. While he has not had a great deal of luck, with Chris Voak aboard this could be his night at good odds.
HAYDEN: American Bullitt has run some cheeky races in the stands and from his good draw he appeals as a sound each-way investment.
RYAN: Joey James was never a threat last week when settling too far off them. He returns to the stand, from which he has been faultless and could set them something to chase in the BOTRA Cup.
ERNIE: Pocket The Cash, beaten at his past 15 starts, could secure an ideal trail from inside the back line and has solid prospects. He ran places at his past four appearances and impressed when finishing third after covering extra ground last Friday night.
WAYNE: Longreach Bay is capable of finding the front and running a bold race in the opening event. He’s not impossible at big odds.
KEN: For value, I suggest Moonlite Drive, who has the form and the ability to overcome an awkward draw at barrier six in race four.
Click here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week.
Good punting.