We head to Ballarat this Wednesday for a fantastic program of mid-week racing. With eight competitive events on the card, find out who experts are tipping to get through the heavy conditions on offer.
Ballarat Race 5
#3 Amphactor
Amphactor looks poised to strike first-up from a spell. The American Pharoah colt finished his last preparation with a win, and his public jump-out leading in this event will have him cherry ripe. The Mark Kavanagh-trained three-year-old looks talented and dangerous from an inside draw. His record at the distance is the primary concern.
Street Delight will start favourite after an eye-catching fresh performance at Sandown. The Street Boss filly has previously won second-up and has been competitive at 1400m earlier in her career. She looks well placed in this grade, and her wet form will attract market support.
Reservoir Dog can run well from the plumb barrier draw. His barrier trials leading into this have been first-class, and his wet form brings him into all winning conversations. His record first-up and at the distance are the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Amphactor @ $5.50
Ballarat RACE 6
#1 Narvaez
Ballarat Race 7
#4 Badge
Badge savaged the line first-up over an unsuitable distance. The Sebring gelding will appreciate the step out in distance, and he should get his chance to threaten jumping from a middle gate. I expect him to have the last shot at them if he can stay out of trouble in transit. The heavy track is the primary concern.
Air Defence is resuming after a disappointing and luckless campaign. Nothing went to plan, and he became expensive for punters to follow. The sting out of the ground is advantageous, and he has run well first-up in previous campaigns. He needs to be more consistent to promote with any confidence. Take on trust.
Dashing Pierro is a must for all broader multiples and exotics. The Pierro gelding is racing in good spirit this preparation, and he nearly made it back-to-back wins last- start at Kyneton. His record on soft and heavy tracks is the biggest concern.
Suggested Bet: Badge @ $4.50
Ballarat Race 8
#2 Titans
Titans look great each-way value after threatening all campaign. He is knocking on the door and gets his chance in a very thin Benchmark 64. The Exceed And Excel gelding should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation, and I expect him to get a soft run in transit from an inside barrier. Not winning out of turn is the obvious issue.
Beefeaters will start favourite after a slashing last-bound win at Terang last-start. It looks more challenging here. However, he is too consistent to write off. The lightly raced Lonhro gelding still has plenty of natural improvement to come, and if he can overcome the awkward barrier, I expect him to figure in the finish.
Pit Viper can run a race at a decent quote. The Toronado gelding has made an impressive start to his career, and he deserves his shot at this level. His form in the wet must be respected, and if he can stay in touch with the leaders through the middle stages, he will be there when the whips are cracking. His record at the distance is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Titans @ $8.50
