It would be remiss of me to start this week’s WA Trotting Media Guild column without mentioning the sterling effort from our colleague Ernie Manning.
Ernie, who is the leading writer of harness racing in this State with his in-depth articles and columns in The West Australian and The Sunday Times newspapers, came within a half-head of tipping the card at headquarters last Friday night.
Only a brilliant drive by Robbie Williams on Ima Fivestar General, who ironically was thrown out as a value bet by Guild president Wayne Currall at the juicy odds of $34, scuppered his effort for 10 out of 10.
Nevertheless, it was outstanding tipping by Ernie. A $10 all-up investment on his nine winners would have returned a mammoth dividend of more than $23,000.
Hopefully for punters, he can continue his outstanding form this Friday night where he has opted for Finvarra as his best bet.
“Five-year-old Finvarra, with an impressive record of 11 victories and nine places from 25 starts, gets his chance for a return to the winners’ list,” Manning said. “The Gary Hall-trained horse ran only one place in his past five races, but has dropped back to easier class than when a Golden Nugget contender. He fought on tenaciously to finish fourth after racing wide two weeks ago.”
The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft and Currall believe punters can add to their bank early doors by supporting My Prayer in the opening event.
“My Prayer’s numerical form is hardly enticing, being unplaced at her last six and out of the winners’ circle for 20 months, but she does look well-placed to reverse her fortunes this Friday night,” Havercroft said. “The last time she drew barrier one was in the 2022 Golden Girls Mile at Pinjarra and the Barry Howlett-trained mare was only caught in the closing stages.”
And Currall agrees.
“It’s all about the barrier draw for My Prayer,” he said. “Chris Voak should be able to take up the early running from the pole and from the front this mare is the one they all have to gun down. Load up punters.”
Veteran tipster Pat Harding is keen on Goodfellaz in race five.
“An interesting night at GP this week, although disappointing to see a couple of small fields,” Harding said. “My best bet comes up in race five with No. 5 Goodfellaz. He has been very consistent in recent runs and should notch up a good win.”
TABradio’s Matt Young is banking on the consistent Fess Up to score again.
“Fess Up did the dirty work to get the win last time out and has the perfect draw here,” Young said. “He faces a good field but has excellent depth to be able to keep fending them off.”
Award-winning journalist Ken Casellas has kept his best until the last race on the 10-event card.
“Run For Mercy’s past couple of runs have been full of merit, and she should give punters a great run for their money when she contests the final event over the 1730m dash,” Casellas said. “The Jemma Hayman-trained six-year-old has good gate speed and should be prominent throughout, like she was two starts ago over 1730m when she finished second to Prince Of Pleasure and beat home the brilliant Swingband. Therefore she gets my nod as the night’s best bet.”
VALUE BETS
ERNIE: Former class juvenile Rock On Top is due for more city success after only two wins, at Bunbury and Narrogin, in his past 13 starts. The Aiden De Campo-trained gelding won at Group 1 level in the 2021 2YO Colts & Geldings Westbred Classic. He has recorded five Gloucester Park victories.
RYAN: Cheer The Major is well drawn behind the in-form Soho Dow Jones and should be presenting late if he sees an opening.
WAYNE: Bettors Destroya should go out at each-way odds in a race where favourite Acharnie Girl has drawn awkwardly. Her form is a lot better than it reads and she could topple the top pick.
PAT: My double comes up in race six with the Greg and Skye Bond-trained In A Wink. With a win and a second from two starts, this two-year-old looks like having a great future.
MATT: Disco Under Fire has a bad draw but is racing well. Happy to have something on at odds in an open race to start the program. Can round them up.
KEN: For value I suggest Onesmartfella in race three, in which he gets a perfect chance to set the pace from the favourable No. 2 barrier. He caught the eye last Friday night when he was last at the bell in a field of 11 before finishing with a powerful burst into fourth place behind The Code Breaker.
Click Here to view all of the Media Guild tips for this week
Good punting.