Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview
Race 1
MIKIS BEACH (6) faced the breeze outside of Bettors Pride when 2nd to that pacer here last week. He looks set for a similar run tonight but drops in class slightly and should give a great sight. GILTY BY THE BEACH (2) showed plenty of speed but knocked up late when 4th in the Harvey cup. He will strip fitter for that effort and should lead and give them something to catch. COLD HARD CASH (10) will enjoy a soft run on the pegs and will be charging home if he sees daylight at the right time. BLAZING REACTOR (5) has won three of his last five starts and will be in the finish if he gets the right run in transit.
Tips: 6 2 10 5
Suggested Bet: MIKIS BEACH (6) to win.
Race 2
BETTORS PRIDE (11) is lightly raced but he has won four of his seven starts. He was an impressive all-the-way winner here last week and appeals as the one to beat despite the backline draw. GREATGREAT BOULDER (9) and GREVIS (8) are the other two class runners of the field. They will likely settle at the tail but both will be charging home if there is a solid tempo. NAVY STREET (2) grows a leg on the pegs and will have options if he can get past SIDSTREPO (1) at the start.
Tips: 11 9 8 2
Suggested Bet: BETTORS PRIDE (11) to win.
Race 3 
ROLLING FIRE (1) has been unplaced in his three runs this time in but his last start had merit and he should be a big improver from the pole. LUSAKA (4) couldn’t get into the race first-up but is drawn to be prominent throughout and looks a major player. THE MIKI TAKER (10) has been unplaced in all six starts this time in but looks a good each way chance if he can muster enough speed to trail the polemarker. ALCOPONY (2) should be fitter for his first-up run and can make his presence felt from his nice draw.
Tips: 1 4 10 2
Suggested Bet: ROLLING FIRE (1) to win.
Race 4
CYCLONE JORDY (7) brought up his ninth victory in a row when defeating a similar field here last week and it is hard to make a case against him making it ten wins on the trot. PAINT THE PALETTE (1) is first-up without a trial but has the perfect draw to be placed if the favourite decides to go forward and take up the running. SCOOTER B (4) impressed in winning both starts last time in and was a game 3rd to CYCLONE JORDY (7) after facing the breeze here last week. CONTROL THE ROOM (2) trailed the favourite when 2nd here last week and can figure again if he gets a soft run.
Tips: 7 1 4 2
Suggested Bet: CYCLONE JORDY (7) to win.
Race 5
CATCH A WAVE (1) led throughout to defeat a similar field two starts before settling at the rear in the Nullarbor and he couldn’t make ground in a fast last 1200 metres. He won this race last year coming from behind but should lead here and is clearly the one to beat. MISTER SMARTEE (10) won the Nullarbor after sitting just behind the speed last week and is set for a similar run tonight and will be hard to hold out if he can get off the pegs at the right time. MINSTREL (12) was slightly disappointing when 3rd here last week but did have five weeks between runs so he will strip fitter and should be able to get to the breeze whenever he wants to. MIGHTY RONALDO (11) was the unlucky runner last week and will be dangerous if he sees daylight tonight.
Tips: 1 10 12 11
Suggested Bet: CATCH A WAVE (1) to win.
Race 6
Stablemates SKYLOU (9) and IM THE BLACK FLASH (10) are both first-up from 50m handicaps and have similar form lines. Gary Hall Jnr is driving SKYLOU (9) and I’m sticking with him but there doesn’t appear to be a lot between the pair and IM THE BLACK FLASH (10) has had a recent trial so may be more forward in condition. IDEAL MUSCLE (8) led throughout to win the Easter Cup and he will give them something to catch if he can work his way to the front again. ACUSHLA MAREE (7) won the Cunderdin Cup against inferior opposition and can be competitive here.
Tips: 9 10 8 7
Suggested Bet: SKYLOU (9) to win.
Race 7
LION QUEEN (2) and LONGREACH BAY (8) clashed here from almost identical barriers when the latter crossed easily at the start and recorded a comfortable 2.3m win over LION QUEEN (2). It would be very hard to tip against LONGREACH BAY (8) over the same journey but he is yet to be placed from seven attempts at the staying distance so I will go with the mare. GAITCRASHER (3) has won five of his seven starts this time in but rises in class tonight. DARK EYES (1) is drawn to enjoy a soft run on the pegs and can be placed.
Tips: 2 8 3 1
Suggested Bet: LION QUEEN (2) to win.
Race 8
MADAM PUBLISHER (4) led throughout in a slick 1.55.5 two starts back before being unable to find the lead when 5th at Pinjarra. She looks a good chance to find the top tonight and will be hard to beat in that role. LITTLE DARLING (7) is racing well and stormed home to win the Empress Stakes. She is the class horse of the field and will become the one to beat if MADAM PUBLISHER (4) doesn’t lead. CHAMPAGNE EVERYONE (1) can be placed from the pole and SWEET VIVIENNE (5) is in form but awkwardly drawn.
Tips: 4 7 1 5
Suggested Bet: MADAM PUBLISHER (4) to win.
Market Market
