The Wizard of Odds ventures over to Ballarat for a Monday synthetic meeting and he’s found a first starter that should be able to get the job done.
If Saturday is anything to go by, it’ll be winners galore again!
Ballarat Race 1
#3 Yulong Prediction
Loved the second jump out of Yulong Prediction.
You want to find a horse who can handle these quirky synthetic tracks and this three-year-old gelding looks exactly like he will.
His 850-metre spin around the Ballarat synthetic track was done in a very comfortable manner where he asked to settle in behind horses and amble up to the line without being asked for much of an effort.
Should be able to lob up to into handy position in the run and Dean Yendall has been asked to the take the ride.
Should be fit, firing and ready to go ‘bang.’
Suggested Bet: Yulong Prediction win at $4.4
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 3, 7
Ballarat Race 3
#2 Hampton Cove
Forget he ever raced last start.
As soon as the barriers open he got bumped, smashed and severely checked as he was about to take up a prominent role in the race.
His jockey, Jack Martin, then struggled to gain hold of him and he over-raced horribly.
It was a race where they struggled to make up ground with the leader careering away for a huge victory, while Hampton Cove was left to squander in fifth.
Senior jockey Dean Yendall goes on now and with a good market push for him it suggests he will handle the synthetic track well.
Suggested Bet: Hampton Cove win at $5
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 2/ 1/ Field
Ballarat Race 5
#6 Blazing Lace
Having a throw at the stumps and going for the three-year-old filly who will settle in the lead and that is Blazing Lace.
She gets the blinkers for the first time here and she is a big price to see if that gear change can improve her the extra two to three lengths she needs to win this.
Copped what looked to be a high-pressure 2000-metre race at Donald last start where she had to do all the donkey work and cart up the field in third spot, outside the leaders.
The small field, a speed map to suit and much softer tempo should see her in the finish.
Suggested bet: Blazing Lace each-way at $9 the win and $3.7 the place
Suggested Exotic: Quinella – 3 & 6
Ballarat Race 6
#5 Outflank
Drops down in grade after being immediately spelled following a disappointing performance at BM-64 level.
She won her maiden at this very track and distance last preparation but failed repeat the dose after finishing last, beaten 12 lengths over 1100 metres on the Ballarat turf track.
The big tick for her in this race is she is proven on the surface.
She always draws a barrier which should see her stay out of trouble and despite having to carry 62kgs first-up, the balance and strength of Dean Yendall should counter-act that weight factor.
Suggested bet: Outflank win at $3.2
Ballarat Race 7
#6 Channing
The set-up for Channing looks ideal.
He had his first run on the Ballarat synthetic a month ago and did a great job to run second behind Renascence after settling in the rear half of the field.
Love the trial at Cranbourne in between runs and he draws a barrier where jockey Will Gordon has to be positive.
If he settles closer to the lead than he did last start it’s hard to see him missing a place.
Suggested bet: Channing each-way at $5.5 the win and $1.90 the place.
