A country feel for Monday racing as The Wizard of Odds heads to Murtoa!
He’s backing a three-year-old filly to break her maiden tag as well as a horse at double-figure odds to break a long run of outs.
Ballarat Race 1
#12 What A Sham
Going with the horse who has race experience and fitness on her side.
What A Sham was truckloaded in the betting on debut over 1170 metres at Wangaratta but failed to make an impression.
Her second start was much better after showing good early toe in a 975-metre Swan Hill maiden behind smart maiden winner Rolls.
She now draws the perfect barrier to score up and take a sit with cover close to the leaders.
She looks ready to peak.
Suggested Bet: What A Sham win at $3.7
Murtoa Race 3
#3 Chadstone
Was heavily in the camp of Chadstone when he was scheduled to run just under a fortnight ago after a slashing debut.
He got a mile back in the run at Edenhope on a track that fiercely favoured horses in the lead or up on the pace.
The three-year-old gelding charged through the line after a sustained from the 600-metre mark.
The rise to 1600 metres will be perfect for him and the wide barrier will ensure he faces no traffic issues.
Expect a big spike in improvement from his debut run and a potential trip to town if he can win this as expected.
Suggested Bet: Chadstone win at $2.35
Suggested Exotic: Exacta 2 & 7
Murtoa Race 4
#1 Bannerton
Bannerton is still a nine-race maiden but with the blinkers going it might just spark him into winning form.
He was gapped by Ripasso last start which is solid enough country form to bringing into a race like this.
Interesting to see that Austy Coffee has got him racing almost immediately after that fifth-placed finish at Warracknabeal last week.
The three-year-old gelding by Group 1-performed stayer Glass Harmonium has clearly shown the stable drastic improvement with the shades.
Expecting him to at least fill a hole if he cannot strike the winning post in first spot.
Suggested Bet: Bannerton each-way at $9 the win and $2.45 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 1, 2, 4
Murtoa Race 5
#3 Printmaker
Printmaker had been tracking nicely into his preparation until copping a heavy track at Warrnambool last start.
He has had three runs this campaign and all of those have come in BM-64 grade.
Those races have been much more difficult than what he faces today in BM-58 rated race and, even though he must carry 61kgs to victory, the drop down in grade will see him finish much closer.
Alana Kelly is riding in good form as well and she should be able to be positive from the inside barrier.
Looks a nice each-way price in a very plain race.
Suggested bet: Printmaker each-way at $11 and $3.4
