Well punters, it’s a case of get your skates on and grab the best price you can on Extradite on Friday night at Gloucester Park.
The speedy frontrunner has drawn gate one in race four – the Group 3 $30,000 The Clarke Pace (2130m) – and several members of the WA Trotting Media Guild have made the Kim Prentice-trained Cory Peterson-reined pacer their star bet at the meeting.
Veteran trotting journalist Ken Casellas, The West Australian’s Ernie Manning, Radio Great Southern’s form analyst Warren Wishart and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft have all declared Extradite.
“Extradite is a brilliant frontrunner and I’m making the six-year-old my best bet to notch his fourth win from six starts this season when he begins from the No. 1 barrier at Gloucester Park on Friday night,” Casellas said. “He was not extended in winning from Rock Me Over a fortnight ago, and he looks set to repeat the dose.”
Manning agrees.
“Extradite, who has bounced back from mediocre form, is a smart frontrunner who looks a top prospect from barrier one,” he said. “He was beaten at 15 consecutive starts before recording four wins and three places in his past nine appearances. Trainer Kim Prentice said the improvement resulted from changes to the six-year-old’s training routine. Extradite has set the pace in recent Gloucester Park wins.”
Wishart is as equally taken with the horse.
“Extradite just keeps raising the bar and has the ideal draw again to lead all the way,” he said.
And Havercroft makes it a clean sweep.
“Extradite has won the last three times he has exited barrier one and looks hardest to beat in The Clarke Pace,” he said. “After indifferent form at his last campaign, he is racing in fine form this time in and can bring up consecutive wins here.”
Media Guild president Wayne Currall also believes Extradite will post an all-the-way victory, but has thrown out another couple of specials for the meeting.
“Like most of the boys, I expect Extradite to lead all the way,” he said. “But I’m suggesting punters can get a nice little return by playing an all-up on the brilliant Lavra Joe in the opening event, into Extradite in race four, then all into Mighty Conqueror in race six. With a bit of luck we might be looking at $2.50 to $2.70. Hey, little fish are sweet!”
TABradio’s Hayden King is keen on Star Of Diamonds in the Group 2 $50,000 Channel 7 Empress Stakes (2536m).
“Star Of Diamonds was superb when routing her opposition in the Golden Girls Mile at Pinjarra, racing clear to win in 1:53.3,” King said. “Again she is presented with a suitable trailing draw and I think she will take plenty of beating.”
Longshot guru Pat Harding believes the stable of Greg and Skye Bond will have a good night.
“My best bet is a Bond-trained horse, in the main race on the night” he said. “I think Wainui Creek from barrier 10 can be well placed and run home we’ll at a bit of value.”
VALUE BETS
KEN: For value, I suggest Cordero from the awkward barrier at No. 6 in race seven. He is due for a change of fortune after being severely checked at his past two outings. His form before those two unplaced efforts was most encouraging.
ERNIE: One For Dave Andme should not be underrated after he drew barrier nine and has been beaten at his past eight appearances. He ran a stylish second on March 9 and finished fifth after covering extra ground last Friday night.
WARREN: I’m expecting a better showing from Sweet Maddison from this draw. At the current fixed odds quote of $7 she is good each-way value.
RYAN: Bettor Pack It should get an economical run in the Empress Stakes and some of these may not find the 2536m trip. Place play in an open race.
WAYNE: Henwood Bay is poised to get a lovely run behind likely leader Extradite. He’s won both of his recent trials at Bunbury after a three-month spell and looks a great quinella hope.
HAYDEN: Once again, I am going to try a place all-up. Naval Aviator draws to be behind the leader/favourite in the second; Star Of Diamonds for the aforementioned reasons should be at least be placing; Runaway Three will be on the back of the leader in the sixth, as he was last start when running second in this company.
PAT: My value bet of the night comes up in race nine with No. 7 Lady Jadore. She had a win four starts ago and I think its time for her to step up again at good odds.
To view all of the Media Guild tips click here.
Good Punting.
By Wayne Currall