Media Guild Thursday's thoughts 29th March

Former New Zealand pacer King Of Swing, the consistent Wabi Sabi and prolific winner Red October have been labelled as star bets on Thursday night’s harness racing card at Gloucester Park.

Several members of the WA Trotting Media Guild believe punters who follow King Of Swing, Wabi Sabi and Red October will finish on top at the pre-Easter meeting.

Last season’s leading tipster Stuart Lowe and Guild president Wayne Currall have labelled newcomer to the State King Of Swing as a good thing in the WA Derby Prelude.

“My best bet is King Of Swing, who has won at seven of 13 lifetime starts for stakes of $225,000,” Lowe said. “He looks to have an edge on class against his rivals here at his first run in WA and should win.”

Currall agrees with Lowe.

“The wraps on King Of Swing are huge,” he said. “The colt easily accounted for classy filly Our Angel Of Harlem in a Pinjarra trial earlier this month in good time. Leading trainer Gary Hall appears to have him tuned up to make a winning debut in WA.”

GPTV’s Ken Casellas and TABradio’s Matt Young are keen on the speedy Wabi Sabi.

“Wabi Sabi gets a perfect chance to finally break through and notch his first metropolitan-class victory at Gloucester Park,” Casellas said. “He has drawn perfectly at barrier one for trainer-reinsman Clint Hall and gets my nod as the best bet of the night. The most recent time the six-year-old started from the No. 1 barrier was five starts ago when he led throughout and scored an easy win over 2242m at Narrogin in mid-January.”

And Young is singing from the same hymn sheet as Casellas.

“Wabi Sabi has been hitting the line powerfully in his last couple of starts,” he said. “He has the draw to lead and control this race to win.”

The West Australian’s Ernie Manning believes Red October will continue on his winning ways.

“Red October looks set for his sixth straight win after drawing favourably at gate three,” Manning said. “The New Zealand import showed strength when he overcame a tough run outside the leader two starts ago, then displayed a professional style when an all-the way winner last Friday. He is shaping for success in top company.”

The West Australian’s racing co-ordinator Ryan Havercroft agrees with his colleague.

“Punters didn’t miss Red October last week when he saluted at $1.20,” Havercroft said. “Drawn the same barrier again, the five-year-old gelding looks to have a rich future and should be too good for his rivals.”

 Veteran tipster Bill Brindley is keen on Rocknroll Lincoln.

“Interesting program for punters, tough for tipsters,” Brindley said. “My best bet is the promising Rocknroll Lincoln in race three. His recent efforts have been first class.”

Longshot king Pat Harding believes it’s a pretty tough Easter meeting at GP this Thursday, but he has good news for punters.

“In the fourth, the WA Derby Prelude, I have a good feeling about the Greg Bond-trained Ocean Ridge,” Harding said. “With four wins from five starts and Ryan Warwick aboard, punters should get their reward. The small field will also be a great advantage.”

VALUE BETS

Stuart: My value bet is Max Meridius, who has hit the line very strongly at his last two starts. If he gets a reasonable run from this good draw he should go close.

Wayne: Johnny Fox finished like a train at his last start after being dragged back through the field. Only needs to step cleanly from his 20m handicap to be in the money.

Ken: For value, I suggest Khun Ratha in the final event. He unwound a spirited burst from the rear when fourth behind Our Zak Whitby at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon.

Matt: Chevrons Champion has a beautiful draw just in behind them and if she can get a run in the last quarter, she'll respond well and can knock them off at odds.

Ernie: Mister Ardee, a prolific winner on the WA country circuit, is making an impressive transition to city ranks with placings at his last two starts at headquarters. He ran an eye-catching third after facing the breeze last Friday.

Ryan: Devendra could sweeten up Easter for his followers when he contests the Easter Cup. The 40m handicap should not be a concern, with the field spread over all handicaps, and he has won five of 12 lifetime stand appearances.

Bill: My value bets are the consistent Sheez Edgy and squaregaiter Balmoral Boy. 

Pat: The Michael Brennan-trained Futurist with Gary Hall Jr aboard should prove to be more than a match for his competitors, particularly over the 2536m journey.

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

Good Punting. 

Wayne Currall