Mid-week racing from Ballarat means the Punter’s Prince fires away for the best on the card.
A first starter has caught his watchful eye at the jump outs and one at fat each-way odds is primed to run well in the last race.
ballarat race 1
#9 superstock
Superstock is bred by staying sire Tavistock, but this two-year-old colt looks to have some speed.
He debuts here over 1200 metres, having put together two nice jump-outs.
The first jump out was run in very slick time at Flemington over 800 metres, where he seemed to be slightly off the bridle and chasing hard.
I liked the way he lengthened as they pulled up past the post.
His second jump out was similar but in a much slower time for the morning.
Barrier one allows Joe Bowditch to land in a plumb spot on the leader’s back.
Suggested Bet: Superstock each way at $10 the win and $3.2 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 3, 4, 7, 9, 12
ballarat race 4
#8 fiable
What you see is what you get with Fiable.
He is an honest horse who runs up to his mark on most starts.
The handicapper has got him weighted to win this race.
After carrying 54kgs in an honourable effort at BM-70 grade, he now drops to BM-64 without any additional weight.
He also finds the services of Linda Meech, who is almost always a positive rider with her mounts.
I think she can role forward with this Aaron Purcell-trained gelding and either sit outside lead or take a sit with cover.
Suggested Bet: Fiable each way at $12 the win and $2.90 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 5 & 8
ballarat race 5
#5 california surreal
With a bit of rain predicted for Ballarat and an odds-on favourite who is yet to run on rain-effected going, California Surreal is the one to be with here.
The three-year-old filly from the Snowden camp has plied her trade from BM-68 to BM-72 level at her last three starts and has not disgraced herself at all.
This race looks much easier than the opposition she has come up against in the last month or so and she is slightly more battle hardened than her main danger in Outback Action.
Jye Mcneil being booked is a strong lead and she represents good value at the $4.6.
Suggested Bet: California Surreal win at $4.6
Suggested Exotic: Exacta 5 & 4
ballarat race 8
#3 twin spinner
Had a take-on-trust bet with Twin Spinner at his first Australian run for new trainer Patrick Payne.
The market really firmed for him after being $11 into $4.4, but he felt the pinch of a seven-month gap between runs.
Those fluctuations might be a signal this horse really has something to give at his second start from a spell.
Love that Payne has sent him to the hurdle trials, which will really spark this gelding up.
The price is too good to refuse given he was a $4.4 chance in a very similar grade race last start.
Suggested Bet: Twin Spinner each-way at $14 the win and $4.2 the place.
