Ballarat plays host to Thursday racing in Victoria.
The BetDeluxe crew has gone through the best bets on the card as we creep closer to the a big weekend of Group 1 racing from Moonee Valley.
Ballarat race 1
#5 Rick's Cafe
Takes the rise in distance from 1300 metres to 1600 metres which she looks much better suited to.
She was doing her best work late in her first-up effort over 1300 metres when resuming after spending over a year away from the races.
It was clearly a pipe-opening run with the jockey Declan Bates showing zero initiative when the gates opened to flop out the back.
Brian Higgins has been booked and from a better barrier should settle handier to the lead speed and run a good race at each-way odds.
Suggested Bet: Rick’s Cafe each-way at $11 the win and $3.3 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 5 & 6
Ballarat race 2
#10 ROmany Rocks
Super keen on Romany Rocks after a nice debut at Donald over 1200 metres behind the heavily backed Bay of Islands last start.
In what a highly-rated race on the day which was run in a quick time for the class, Romany Rocks found herself in the awkward spot of being three back on the fence from barrier one.
She was unable to build her momentum throughout the run and only really got going in the last 400 metres.
Barrier eight is going to give her the opportunity to find clear air and the ability to fully stride out without being restrained.
Expecting her to start much shorter than the $3 on offer and making her our best of the day.
Suggested Bet: Romany Rocks win at $3
Ballarat race 7
#3 Groovy Kinda Love
Praying Damian Lane chances his arm from barrier 17 and attempt to go towards the lead.
Should he do so aboard this mare, he will give her every chance of winning with the rail out five metres more than likely being advantageous for this who find the front or settle in an on-pace position here.
She ran in a very fast-run race for the class at Mornington just under a month ago and has been given some respite since then.
Should have the freshness in her legs and looks to ready to rock.
Suggested Bet: Groovy Kinda Love win at $2.8
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 3/ 6, 12, 14/ 6, 12, 14
Ballarat race 8
#11 Miss Balvenie
Could not have done anymore on debut at Murtoa over 1100 metres after being very heavily backed to win.
She did not let punters and connections down with a dominant five-length victory on heavy going.
Has to be make the rise in grace to BM-64 level, but she seems to have the motor to cope with that.
Even thoguh she is still learning her craft, the win at Murtoa was too good to ignore.
The margins and the way she let down when asked for a response at the top of the straight were that of a very smart horse.
Suggested Bet: Miss Balvenie each-way at $5 the win and $2 the place. Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 11, 12/ 11, 12/ 3, 6, 7
