Gloucester Park hosts exciting harness racing action every Friday night with WA’s best pacers competing around the half-mile circuit.
Located opposite the WACA Ground in Perth, Gloucester Park hosts metropolitan and midweek racing that is up-tempo around the half-mile track that doesn’t have a sprint lane.
See my free weekly Gloucester Park selections below:
Gloucester Park Tips – December 14
Race 1 – RETRAVISION, FOR ALL THE ELECTRIAL STUFF YOU LOVE CHRISTMAS GIFT HEAT MS PACE (LEVEL 11) (2130m) – 8:40 PM AEDT
A good race to kick off the program and I’m happy to side with a horse that was retired from the Mares Classic after suffering a damaged wheel. That horse is the Annie Belton-trained five-year-old mare GOTTA GO GABBANA. She has a bit of class on her side and she is capable of being put into the race to sit outside of the leader. Cracka Star is the most likely leader with The Art Form the other chance to lead. Ideally, Gotta Go Gabbana can race in the breeze or with cover in the moving line and The Art Form isn’t in front because she won’t run down that horse.
Race 4 – RETRAVISION YOUR AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALIST FFA MS PACE (LEVEL 15) (2130m) – 10:10 PM AEDT
Bunbury Cup winner ROCKNROLL LINCOLN looks extremely hard to beat in the FFA event. He raced 1 out 2 back and was too speedy for his 11 rivals in a slick 1:56.3 mile rate for the 2569m. Gary Hall Jnr sticks with the Justin Prentice-trained five-year-old entire and barrier two looks perfect for his chances. Talktomeurmattjesty led and was beaten by Im Soxy who raced outside the leader which isn’t normally his go. This is a much tougher task and it would be ideal if the inside horse were to hand up but Rocknroll Lincoln should receive a great run regardless and will prove the testing material.
Race 6 – RETRAVISION, RAC MEMBERS SAVE AN EXTRA 5% EVERYDAY COULSON HEAT F&M MS PACE (LEVEL 9) (2130m) – 11:05 PM AEDT
The barrier draw makes this race a one-act affair with Our Angel Of Harlem leading and winning at a very short quote. There appears to be some place value in the race with WA Oaks winner OUR MAJOR MAMA. Despite defeating Our Angel Of Harlem in the Oaks, Our Major Mama won’t be able to do that here from barrier five. She will be looking for some cover in the moving line and her closing speed should see her run into the minor placings.
Previous Gloucester Park Tips
December 7
Race 5 – WESTRAL MARES CLASSIC FILLIES & MARES MS PACE (LEVEL 13) (2536m) – 11:14 PM AEDT
The race of the night is the Group 1 Mares Classic and I am very keen on the Colin Brown-trained and driven EDEN FRANCO. Despite drawing the car park, the six-year-old mare has a lot of strings to her bow because she can fire off the gate, work forward gradually or be restrained and put into the race at the appropriate time.
Boasting a record of 14 wins from 32 starts, Eden Franco has only missed a place twice in the past two seasons which outlines her talent. She is a last-start winner when leading and smashing her opposition at a short quote. Prior to that she was runner up in the York Cup (2130m) won by Maczaffair; she will be a massive danger once again.
Maczaffair’s stablemate Our Angel Of Harlem is the other key winning chance while I would be prepared to risk Tricky Styx who is hit and miss at this stage of her career; if she leads then I don’t like her chances at all but she is an each-way chance if she takes a sit on a suitable rival. Gotta Go Gabbana, Lady De La Renta and Mary Catherine have small claims in the race and could win if the favourites work too hard in the run.
Race 6 – WESTRAL VERTICAL AND PANEL BLINDS FFA MS PACE (LEVEL 15) (2130m) – 11:40 PM AEDT
El Jacko won’t want to come out slowly from barrier one this time after he missed the start and was crossed by Overboard Again in the York Cup. A similar beginning would see SIMBA BROMACfind the lead from barrier two with Chris Lewis in the cart and the five-year-old gelding would prove hard to catch.
Trainer Nathan Turvey hasn’t had too many horses progress to open class, but Simba Bromac is a very nice horse that will win his share of free for all racing. Hopefully that begins tonight by crossing El Jacko at the start and repelling the challenge from Rock Diamonds and Our Jimmy Johnstone who will make sure he is kept honest throughout.
Winning four of his last five starts, Simba Bromac decimated Mitch Maguire in the Schrader Final (2130m) last preparation and has shown his quality with a 1:52.8 mile rate over the 1730m at the track.
Race 10 – WESTRAL CRIMSAFE SECURITY DOORS MS PACE (LEVEL 9) (1730m) – 1:35 AM AEDT
Chris Voak can often have a knack of winning the last race at Gloucester Park and we put our faith in the reinsman when he partners the Chris King-trained eight-year-old gelding MACHRIE from barrier one over the sprint journey.
A pair of placings from his past two starts could culminate in a victory tonight by leading throughout.
He meets Luis Alberto once again but was finishing stronger than that pacer last start; Luis Alberto did more work in the run though. One thing we know about Luis Alberto is that he enjoys running a place – his winning strike rate is 12% compared to his place rate of 60%.
Machrie hasn’t won in more than a year which is an obvious concern, but it isn’t the strongest field and being on the rail over 1730m is a huge advantage.
November 23
Race 2 – COLIN COWDEN MS PACE (LEVEL 11) (2130m) – 9:50 PM AEDT
This looks a terrific race with Walkinshaw and Maxentius engaged for battle. Throw in Arthur Lowe and Im Soxy from good draws and we have an excellent Level 11 contest. WALKINSHAWlooked the winner on paper first up and that’s how it turned out to be as he won comfortably in 1:56.3. He will prove extremely hard to run down if able to lead, but will still be a chance if forced to race without cover due to his class factor.
Race 4 – TREVOR ITZSTEIN THE KERSLEY FINAL MS PACE (LEVEL 11) (2130m) – 10:55 PM AEDT
The Group 3 Kersley Final looks a race in three, although I suspect it may even be a race in two between Tyler Brett and Our Max Phactor. Both horses will be on the speed and I think TYLER BRETT can prove too good from barrier one. He should just have enough gate speed to hold out Thereugo and showed in his heat that he was able to repel Our Max Phactor in 1:55.7. Tyler Brett is starting to build a strong record and should go close.
Race 5 – COWDEN THE INSURANCE BROKERS NORMS DAUGHTER CLASSIC F&M MS PACE (LEVEL 13) (2130m) – 11:25 PM AEDT
The Group 2 Norms Daughter Classic looks a one-act affair with Eden Franco finding the lead and winning at a very short quote. Maczaffair has a tricky draw which means she isn’t guaranteed to run a place, although it is highly likely as she is too good for the remainder of her rivals. GOTTA GO GABBANA is one of the other class mares in the race and despite a wide draw, she can do her fair share of work and looks an appealing place price.
November 9
Race 3 – BOOSTED ODDS ON TABTOUCH THE KERSLEY QUALIFYING HEAT 2 (2130m) – 9:24 PM AEDT
CHIAROSCURO can fly the gate and may be able to match Thereugo in the early stages. Even if crossed, Chiaroscuro will get his chance just like Im Soxy last week. A winner of 10 from 30 starts, Chiaroscuro defeated Kimani and Bechers Brook. Kimani has since won while Bechers Brook was second to Jack Mac in the 4YO Classic. That form line looks excellent and if Chiaroscuro can lead then he should be winning.
Race 4 – COMMUNITY TAB MS PACE (2130m) – 9:54 PM AEDT
SIGHTSEEING ANVIL looks the top pick after drawing barrier one. He should be quick enough to lead with Im Master Charlie and Tanaka Eagle having an early look for the lead. Five starts ago Sightseeing Anvil received no peace and still managed to win. Forget about most of his recent starts as racing in the lead is his go and that looks a strong probability here.
Race 6 – HLB MANN JUDD MS PACE (2130m) – 10:55 PM AEDT
The return of Albany Cup winner MAJOR STARE could be a winning one despite barrier 12. He has the class factor here and had been racing well in C5-C9 company against the likes of Tisadream, Walkinshaw and Soho Leviathan before heading for a spell. He will either come with one run or head to the breeze and should go very close in this field.
Race 7 – CELLARBRATIONS YORK FILLIES AND MARES MS PACE (2130m) – 11:30 PM AEDT
PICK MY POCKET was a huge run in defeat in the Preux Chevalier Final (2130m) won by Dontstopbelievin. She did all of the work in the run during a 1:56.6 mile rate and was only beaten a half-head. She will sit outside an easier opponent tonight and could prove too classy for her fellow mares.
Race 8 – THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERS OF YORK RACING MS PACE (2536m) – 12:00 AM AEDT
I am going to throw out the rank outsider in this field because he has been racing well. MONDOOLEY MACH was second in an M0 five starts ago when finishing behind Twentynine Twelve. He beat home Brookies Jet on that occasion, although it will be tougher tonight with that horse drawn perfectly. I liked the way Mondooley Mach finished at Northam last start behind Dreamy Nights. It was a narrow second, but I am a little wary of the 30.6 final quarter. Regardless, Mondooley Mach looks over the odds, especially for the place, and it wouldn’t surprise to see him run a big race.
November 2
Race 1 – $7 PINTS AT JP’S SPORTSBAR MS PACE (2130m) – 8:49 PM AEDT
IM SOXY comes up with the inside barrier which looks to enhance his chances of victory. Ryan Warwick will be looking to hold out Tanaka Eagle and Thereugo early but I think Im Soxy can show enough gate speed to lead. At worst, he should trail the leader and excels as a sit-sprinter. His form reads really well with four minor placings and a fourth-placed effort from his past five starts.
Race 3 – NYE AT GLOUCESTER PARK – BOOK NOW MS PACE (2130m) – 9:54 PM AEDT
Handsandwheels loves to lead in his races but he may not be able to cross both Khun Ratha and Maxentius which could see him vulnerable if forced to work too hard early, or from the breeze. KHUN RATHA looks the value in the race from his inside draw. Three starts ago he cruised in to win by 8m as a $1.30 favourite. This will be tougher considering he is second up, but his first run back was good considering he drew poorly. He may take a trail if Maxentius pours the pressure on but shouldn’t be far away.
Race 6 – ITALIAN CAR DAY AT GP – SUNDAY 11TH NOV MS PACE (2130m) – 11:35 PM AEDT
I would have much preferred for WABI SABI to draw barrier 10 but he can either go three back on the rail or follow Stroganoff who may hold the breeze. He appeals more for a place in this race, but I cannot let him go around without something on the win in case Stroganoff and You Gotta Have Faith go to war. Wabi Sabi has good closing sectionals and was placed behind two smart horses at Pinjarra in a very quick 54.9 last half; the final quarter was 26.1 seconds.
Race 7 – WWW.GLOUCESTERPARK.COM.AU MS PACE (2130m) – 12:10 AM AEDT
JUST BET ON BLACK appeals at very big odds as he returns from a spell. A horse with 10 wins from 32 starts, his best form is easily good enough for him to win this race. There is a massive query on him after mixing his form; three starts back he was beaten 1.7m by Im Rockaria, whereas his last start was very disappointing. Dylan Egerton-Green takes over the training of this horse which could do him a world of good and it isn’t a strong M0 field.
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