Warracknabeal
Race 3 – Ms Hubble
Jockey – Neil Farley
1600m – Barrier 5
Deep Field filly Ms Hubble gets out to a mile for the first time when she heads to Warracknabeal this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper had been trending towards a win before not appreciating the Synthetic surface at Ballarat last start, looking for a return to form back on grass today. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from an ideal draw and can find a position one or two pairs back with cover, close enough to strike on the home turn.
Speed is drawn either side of Ms Hubble, with Wheat King and Occasional Glimpse to push forward from the outset, while expect Tudaya and Star Of Ravena to roll across from out wider and find a prominent position in the run. Tudaya sat just off the leader and loomed as the winner at Mt Gambier a fortnight ago, weakening late as the swoopers arrived. Hits this fitter third-up and shapes as one of the main chances. Occasional Glimpse comes here second-up following a sound effort behind Itwasonlyakiss at Seymour a month ago. That runner has since won again. Draws the inside and will get every chance in the run, no surprise to see her improve into the placings. Wheat King next best.
Ms Hubble had gone close at Ballarat and Mildura before her Synthetic misadventure, and is sure to bounce back on a more preferable surface this afternoon. Neil can find a lovely trailing position from barrier five and turn for home with something to offer. Strong claims to breakthrough today.
Currently, Ms Hubble is a $4.60 chance in the market.
Ballarat Synthetic
Race 4 – License To Excite
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
1100m – Barrier 12
Two-year-old filly License To Excite makes her racetrack debut on home soil this afternoon. The daughter of Flying Artie has jumped out twice in preparation for today, an improved effort on this surface a fortnight ago when finishing her heat in second position. Jockey Jaylah Kennedy leaves from the outside gate and will be forced back in the early parts, looking to run on and hit the line late in the event.
Speed is tricky with half the field stepping out for the first time. Sideline has show some early toe in his pair of jumpouts and a low draw could see him find the top here. He’s gone well on both occasions, no surprise to see him show-up on debut here. Top hope. Stranded resumes gelded, having shown ability in his first campaign. He can settle handy from the inside alley, strong each way claims. So too Blue Akoya, who will be better for a sound debut effort, and Torotena, who needs plenty to go right from an awkward draw.
License To Excite will find herself turning for home in the second half of the field and with the job ahead to reel in the frontrunners. She’s shown enough to suggest she can wind up and pass a few late, may sneak into the first four.
Currently, License To Excite is a $15 chance in the market.
Ballarat Synthetic
Race 5 – Over The Stars
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1000m – Barrier 6
Speedy filly Over The Stars has her first raceday look at the Synthetic surface at Ballarat this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Overshare felt the pinch late when resuming at Bendigo four weeks ago, hanging on for a distant placing behind Fieldelo, who only found She’s An Artist better at Flemington on Saturday. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from gate six today and will let his filly roll in the early parts, looking to land forward in the run and leave something in the locker for the run home.
The speed battle is keen, with all of Tochka, Francine, Brooklyn Baby and Innocent Enuff to kick up underneath Over The Stars, while no surprise to see I Miss Margie chime in from wider out. Looking outside the speed horses, the race could set up nicely for El Pie De Oro, who will be camped in behind and watching the action unfold ahead him. He was runner-up at this track and trip last start, top chance to go one better. Each way chances to Tochka, Innocent Enuff and Red Line Fever in a competitive event.
Over The Stars needs to begin cleanly to find the top early, how much juice she spends to get there will tell a tale later in the race. She’s jumped out well on this surface before, and finished alongside Per Sempre at Bendigo, who was a good thin beaten at Donald on Saturday. Each way claims.
Currently, Over The Stars is an $11 chance in the market.