Ballarat takes control of Monday racing as we gear up for tomorrow’s Melbourne Cup.
The best bets see a filly ready to break her maiden in race as the best of the day and a gelding ready to do the same in race four.
Ballarat race 1
#9 sistine explorer
Jumped out very nicely at St Arnaud over 900 metres.
This three-year-old filly went to the line under a tight grip when leading all the way and running away from her opposition without being ridden.
Could have easily put double-figure lengths on the field if she was asked for an effort but that engine has clearly been saved for race day.
She looks to have come back a much better racehorse than what we saw her in first preparation and the in-form John Allen takes the ride.
Making her the best of the day.
Suggested Bet: Sistine Explorer win at $2.35
Ballarat race 4
#8 Wangoom
Looks the obvious leader in a race that is void of early speed.
His debut effort over 1400 metres was solid enough when leading all the way only to be run down by Wilson’s Prom.
Wide gate will be offset by this galloper’s ability to ping straight to the lead and Dean Yendall is riding in cracking form.
Fitness will definitely have improved for that first-up effort and he should be winning this race if he can find the front with ease as we predict.
Suggested Bet: Wangoom win at 2.8
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 7 & 8
Ballarat race 6
#5 Kenzee River
Has had excuses at her last two runs.
Interesting that gets the blinkers applied again which should hopefully elevate her performance.
She comes back in grade to a more suitable BM-58 over the mile rather than the BM-64 races she has contested since resuming from a spell.
Her jump outs and trials leading into this campaign were actually not too bad and it might pay to forgive her two runs this preparation, especially at the double-figure odds we get about her in this event.
Suggested Bet: Kenzee River each-way at $16 the win and $3.3 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 3, 5, 7
ballarat race 7
#5 Pilote
He may have only one win to his name, but Pilote looks perfectly placed to find that so far elusive second victory.
He is now fourth-up and ready to elevate to his peak fitness levels, while stepping up to the suitable 2000-metre distance range where we will see his best form.
Do not mind him drawing the wide barrier with Billy Egan in the saddle who is a gun jockey in the country scene and he can negate that issue of being trapped wide with no cover.
Big drop down in grade to BM-58 level will only enhance his chances and the 62.5kgs is not a massive issue with the minimum weight here only being 57kgs.
Suggested Bet: Pilote win at $2.5
Suggested Exotic: Boxed First Four -5, 7, 8, 9
