The Wizard of Odds is chips in at Ballarat as we round out a huge week of racing.
The best bets ahead of Gold Nugget day have found plenty of value throughout the eight-race card.
Ballarat Race 1
#5 Prince Amongst Men
Prince Amongst Men was a tad unlucky last start when resuming from a spell at the Ballarat synthetic track over 1000 metres.
He was bailed away on the inside of runners and only got clear galloping room in the last 200 metres.
By then, the winner had already taken off and had full momentum heading to the line, whereas the Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) runner had to pick up stride when it was too late.
The run under his belt should do him the world of good and hoping Jordan Childs can angle away from the fence and have full momentum heading into the straight.
Suggested Bet: Prince Amongst Men each-way at $7.5 and $2.5 the place.
Ballarat RAce 2
#8 Serenaur
Serenaur was horribly unlucky on debut over 1100 metres at Bendigo.
He bolted up behind the field into the straight and look to be ready to burst through for a run at around the 200-metre mark, but his jockey opted to check off heels and was ultimately disappointed for a run.
Now, the three-year-old colt gets up to 1400 metres and that should see him settle much closer to the leaders than he did at Bendigo.
The wide draw should help his cause, so he is not held up when the pace goes into the race.
Suggested Bet: Serenaur win at $4.8
Ballarat Race 3
#13 Teewaters
Teewaters will be peaking into this race having put in a nice effort over 2000 metres at Donald last start.
The three-year-old gelding was having his first ever start at the distance and did well to run third after drawing a wide barrier.
He remains at the distance and would have taken a great fitness benefit from the run.
Barrier seven should make his run-in-transit much easier than last start and he can save more of his sprint for the final parts of the race.
Making him the best of the day.
Suggested Bet: Teewaters win at $2.6
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 8, 12, 13
Ballarat Race 7
#6 Mystery Shot
Looks set for this race after his first-up effort at Moonee Valley nearly a month ago.
He was tucked away in behind horses on the rails and never really had a head full of steam coming into the bend once the gaps opened up and he finished 4.6 lengths away from gun stablemate Corner Pocket.
He has since had a nice jump out in between runs over 1000 metres at Ararat and he gets up to the mile for the first time since winning in BM-84 grade at Sandown in March.
He can clearly handle the track as well with one start at Ballarat providing him with a win.
Expect him to find a spot somewhere near the lead and give this race a massive shake at each-way odds.
Suggested Bet: Mystery Shot each-way at $7.5 the win and $2.5 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 5 & 6
