The Ballarat synthetic track hosts Tuesday racing as The Wizard of Odds looks to warm up the souls on a cold winter day.
He is a tipping a maiden to breakthrough for victory in the first, while a similar outcome looks likely in race four.
Ballarat Race 1
#12 Testa Rock
Testa Rock debuted in nice style on the Pakenham synthetic just over a fortnight ago.
She struck the front late in the race after being caught three wide for the majority of the trip but was worried out of it late by the odds-on favourite.
The three-year-old filly was only beaten by a half a head but should improve with the winkers being applied.
Expecting gun apprentice Josh Richards to forge his way to the lead on this Ben Hayes & JD Hayes-trained filly and run his rivals ragged.
Suggested Bet: Testa Rock win at $1.80
Ballarat Race 3
#11 Festivus
This will not be as depressing as the time Frank Costanza invited over a handful of people for Festivus.
This type of Festivus will more than likely be breaking his maiden tag after a nice debut run behind Toomuchtobear and Mr Brightside.
The form out of that race was franked by Mr Brightside bolting in with a Geelong maiden last week.
Love the fact that Calvin and Tony McEvoy have gone with John Allen to ride this horse.
His strong riding style should be able to get him to the lead and with enough of a winning break on the likes of Seeyalaterron who will be chasing home the two-year-old-colt.
Suggested Bet: Festivus win at $2.2
Suggested Exotic: Exacta 11 & 5
Ballarat Race 4
#12 The Lion Inside
The Lion Inside raced more like the cat inside of her last start after being beaten out of sight last start.
The three-year-old filly from the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr. stable started a $1.90 favourite in a Bendigo maiden over 1600 metres and finished 14 lengths away from the winner.
Most notably, the stable has opted for a sharp rise in distance to 2100 metres against some fairly slow horses.
She did possess a nice turn of foot on debut over 1400 metres two starts back which she can utilise to full effect against this field provided she has got over whatever caused her horrible run.
Going to pay respect to the market and give her another chance here.
Gets a nice trailing run from barrier one should Craig Newitt opt not to lead.
Suggested Bet: The Lion Inside win at $3.3
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 5, 9, 12
Ballarat Race 6
#9 Polina
Taking the punt that jockey Josh Richards will try his luck and press forward on Polina.
She got back in the run when resuming from a spell last start and hit the line well to run third in a Class 1 race at Werribee over 1400 metres.
The rise to 1500 meters is what she will be looking for here and the fitness benefit she gained from her first-up run will no doubt show an improved performance here.
She is yet to miss a place in six career starts so will be back her each-way to be safe.
Suggested Bet: Polina each-way at $9 the win and $3 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 4, 8, 9, 10
