Ballarat and Warwick Farm host the best bets for midweek racing.
The Wizard of Odds has his magic set on a horse who has shown plenty at the jump-outs.
Ballarat Race 2
#6 Winter Pinter
Winter Pinter makes her racing debut over 1000 metres after two lovely jump-outs at Terang.
The four-year-old daughter of Master of Design showed plenty of toe in his first jump-out over 800 metres to match it with Saturday-grade performed horses.
She dashed towards the lead from her barrier and ran third behind the Lindsey Smith pair of Great Again and Reykjavik.
She was only beaten under a length and her jockey in the trial barely released the shackles.
Her second jump out saw her settle towards the rear and peeled out to be the widest runner.
Again, her jockey did not give her a squeeze to catch the leaders and she kept up her stride up to finish fourth while still making up ground.
Trainer Glen Thornton might have a smart mare on his hands so expect her to run a big race.
Suggested Bet: Winter Pinter win at $3.10
Ballarat Race 4
#6 Scottish Rogue
Scottish Rogue remains at BM-70 level after a brave effort when finishing second over 1200 metres at Pakenham a fortnight ago.
The five-year-old gelding from the Trent Bussutin & Natalie Young yard was ridden positively by Daniel Moor to find the lead from an inside barrier last start and there is no reason he cannot take up the front in this race.
Ballarat can tend to play leader-ish as well.
If the track is favouring on-pace horses, he will be poking his head in front for a long way down the straight as he did at Pakenham.
Can back him each-way at the double figure odds.
Suggested Bet: Scottish Rogue each-way at $18 the win and $4.6 the place
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 6, 8/ 6, 7, 8, 9/ 6, 7, 8, 9
Ballarat Race 7
#5 Smokin' Romans
It was either Smokin’ Romans or Under My Spell but we have decided to be firmly in camp of the former who looks ready to make the climb into BM-70 level with success.
Smokin’ Romans two runs over the mile this campaign have been career peak runs and he probably should be undefeated over this distance range in his second preparation.
He was unlucky two starts ago at Sandown where he was asked to dart back to the inferior part of the track and did a great job to only go down in a tight photo finish.
It was last start that really put the writing on the wall with a great winning effort at Pakenham.
Not too fussed that he is drawn out wide in this race because his early speed should be able to quell the awkwardness posed by being out deep on the track.
Senior jockey John Allen stays aboard and he will be hard to beat.
Suggested Bet: Smokin’ Romans win at $3.4
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 5/ 1, 6, 12, 13/ 1, 4, 6, 12, 13
Warwick Farm Race 2
#2 Your TOo Good
Your Too Good produced a cracker of a debut effort to run second at Hawkesbury over 1100 metres after having to lead up the field on a hot speed.
Her jockey on that occasion, Josh Parr, rode her very aggressively out of the barriers to cross and lead at what proved to be a murderous tempo.
The two-year-old filly by Your Song just kept kicking in the straight and looked all over the winner until De An Andretti bloused her down the outside.
That run will bring her on beautifully for this race and she has a fitness edge over most of the field as well as the race experience on her side.
Suggested Bet: You Too Good each-way at $6 the win and $1.85 the place
Warwick Farm Race 6
#8 Turnstyle
With two 800-metre trials under her belt, Turnstyle is primed to continue her solid first-up record in this 1200-metre BM-72 handicap.
She draws the perfect barrier for a jockey like Jason Collett who loves steering towards the rails to save ground when given the opportunity.
This mare has shown the versatility to able to lead or take a sit if the speed gets too hot.
Judging by the barrier draw, jockey engaged and the speed from out wide, trainer Bjorn Baker will probably opt for the tactics to be conservative.
Expect Collett to take a sit in behind Willowheart and then hold his spot up the inside to try and make the winning run.
Suggested Bet: Turnstyle each-way at $8.5 the win and $2.7 the place
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 3, 4, 8
