Media Guild Friday's thoughts 3rd November

Harness racing Punters take heed – Chicago Bull has finally lobbed a barrier, former Kiwi mare Eden Franco shoots for five in a row in WA and Tas Man Bromac arrives from New Zealand with big wraps.

That’s the scene at Gloucester Park on Friday night when the memory of James Brennan is celebrated via the $50,000 feature named in his honour. He was widely regarded as “the father of harness racing in WA” and the man behind the concept of an annual championship featuring the very best horses in Australasia. The WATA staged the inaugural Australasian Trotting Championship in 1925 and the Inter Dominion was born.

Former WATA worker and The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft is an unabashed fan of Chicago Bull in the James Brennan Memorial Pace (2130m). “The Bull was back to his brilliant best last start,” Havercroft said. “From barrier two he should be able to dictate terms and bring up consecutive victories.”

Longshot king Pat Harding knows a good thing when he sees one. “Chicago Bull is the State's best horse,” he said. “He should prove too tough for the likes of Soho Tribeca, Motu Premier and Shandale.”

Veteran tipster Bill Brindley is another lauding the feats of “Minnie Quinny”. “Chicago Bull leads and wins,” he said. “He’s the best for the night.”

Three good judges – the West’s Ernie Manning, last year’s leading tipster Stuart Lowe and TABradio’s Matt McDermott – say that Eden Franco can keep her unbeaten record in tact for trainer-reinsman Colin Brown in the eighth, the $18,000 Gannon’s Harness Colours Pace (2130m).

Manning said Eden Franco had emerged as a quality pacer after her last win. “She downed Runrunjimmydunn by a big margin in a 1:54.5 rate over 2130m,” he said. “Looks set for her sixth consecutive win.”

Lowe agrees. “Despite drawing wide, Eden Franco looks a class above her rivals and should win,” he said.

McDermott makes it a clean sweep. “I love the way this mare has gone about her work in four Australian starts,” he said. “She has been rolling forward in her races and was outstanding last start.”

On-course announcer Ken Casellas is singing the praises of newcomer Tas Man Bromac at his first outing at headquarters. “After watching Tas Man Bromac’s stylish performance to win a 2400m stand at Winton in September, I have chosen him as my star bet this week,” he said. “He should give Perth pacing fans a sample of his ability by winning the fifth race.”

Sunday Times columnist Robbie Dewar has suggested Your Excused in the opening event. “Your Excused’s form of late has been promising,” he said. “Despite drawing awkwardly in gate seven he could take out the first at each-way odds.”

CHANCE AT ODDS

Ryan: I expect Rocknroll Whitby to improve from a favourable draw.

Pat: Prince Of Whitby should give punters a good sight.

Bill: Our Jaccka Mara is drawn to run into the money.

Ernie: King Lebron is due to re-enter the winners’ list.

Stuart: Rub Of The Green should appreciate drawing in the middle of the field here.

Matt: Arturus ran into form with a recent all-the-way win at Pinjarra.

Ken: Punters should hold fire until the last with Highview Sadler.

Robbie: Charlie El gets his chance to break through.

To view all of the Media Guild Tips for this week click here.

Good punting.

Wayne Currall