Ballarat
Race 3 – Hard To Go Wrong
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1500m – Barrier 7
Three-year-old galloper Hard To Go Wrong looks to go one better than his runner-up effort on debut when he races at Ballarat this afternoon. The gelded son of Epaulette was slowly away and held up at a key moment when finishing strongly at Avoca three weeks ago, and will enjoy the space of a bigger track today. Jockey Madison Lloyd leaves from gate seven and can find cover midfield from the start, winding up late to have the last crack in the home straight.
Tietar and From The Basement can use inside draws to punch forward and settle handy to the speed, while O’donna and The Jester’s Son won’t be far away turning for home. The Jester’s Son is yet to miss a placing from five career attempts, going down a beaten favourite at his past two. A win looks close for this galloper and he shapes as hardest to beat today. Tietar had two starts last time in, close up when resuming before thrown into Group-2 company and far from disgraced behind Zardozi at Flemington. There must be something there, each way claims today. From The Basement and Rezone next best ina race that falls away quickly.
Hard To Go Wrong only needs to repeat his debut performance to be considered a strong chance today. Any improvement – and even luck – will have him right in the finish on his home track.
Currently, Hard To Go Wrong is a $4.50 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 4 – Choux Beedoobee
Jockey – Jack Hill
1500m – Barrier 4
Four-year-old galloper Choux Beedooobee is second-up and out in trip when he lines up on his home deck this afternoon. The gelded son of Jimmy Choux settled back and couldn’t make an impression on a leader’s day at Swan Hill on debut, and should appreciate the extra distance on offer today. Jockey Jack Hill leaves from barrier four and can settle closer to the front today in a race that isn’t stacked with early speed.
Mr Fulltime can use the inside to hold a forward position in the run, while Radstar and Puissance De Vol could roll forward from wider out on the track. Penny Bazaar will get a soft trail in this and coms here fitter for two runs this preparation. She went down in a three-way photo at Swan Hill last start, finishing alongside Itsukushima on that occasion. That galloper has won its next two starts, that’s good form for this. Hardest to beat. Radstar has been solid in two runs back from a break and is suited up in distance today. She just missed here first-up before a slow start cost her last time out. Tricky gate today but shapes as the other main contender. Smashing Ruby and Mr Fulltime next best, but need to make up some ground to challenge the aforementioned pair.
Choux Beedoobee will improve from his debut effort today and will get the chance to settle into a rhythm over this longer trip. He’ll be better again over more ground, but expect to see progression today.
Currently, Choux Beedoobee is a $19 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 4 – Deep Stream
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1500m – Barrier 11
Four-year-old galloper Deep Stream resumes over 1500-metres on his home track this afternoon. The gelded son of Ghibellines has had a number of jumpouts leading into his first-up run today, the latest a sound effort on the Course Proper at Ballarat eleven days ago. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from an outside gate and will drift back in the early parts, looking to wind up and hit the line strongly in the run home.
Mr Fulltime can use the inside to hold a forward position in the run, while Radstar and Puissance De Vol could roll forward from wider out on the track. Penny Bazaar will get a soft trail in this and coms here fitter for two runs this preparation. She went down in a three-way photo at Swan Hill last start, finishing alongside Itsukushima on that occasion. That galloper has won its next two starts, that’s good form for this. Hardest to beat. Radstar has been solid in two runs back from a break and is suited up in distance today. She just missed here first-up before a slow start cost her last time out. Tricky gate today but shapes as the other main contender. Smashing Ruby and Mr Fulltime next best, but need to make up some ground to challenge the aforementioned pair.
Deep Stream will be better for the run today and improve when out over more ground later in his preparation. He’ll get a soft run towards the rear of the field and find room to run on late. Can sneak into the top four if the leaders go hard.
Currently, Deep Stream is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 5 – Savvy Bee
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1400m – Barrier 6
Consistent mare Savvy Bee returns to her home track today, back to her winning distance of 1400-metres. The four-year-old daughter of Savabeel has been racing well without winning this preparation, runner-up twice and sound on both other occasions. Jockey Madison Lloyd rides from gate six of eight and can find cover early, looking to lob one or two pairs back in the running line throughout.
Speed comes from the centre with Uluwatu and Fiorensact to punch through and hunt for the lead, while Princeofnottingham and Le Messager to go fast from their respective inside/outside draws. Le Messager has been a narrowly-beaten runner-up at his past two starts, both at this track and trip. A win looks close, and if he can get across in the early stages, he’ll give a sight to the finish. At the opposite end of the field will be Subrising, who comes back a few notches in grade for today/s race. She was good resuming at Caulfield’s Heath track before given no hope from the back at Lakeside last time out. Suited in this company and will be closing hard late. Each way chances to Princeofnottingham, who is racing well this campaign, and Uluwatu, who won comfortably on debut.
Savvy Bee is racing well but needs a win to show for her efforts. She should get a nice run in transit and does enjoy racing on her home deck (2:1-1-0). She has claims in a fairly even contest.
Currently, Savvy Bee is an $11 chance in the market.