Ballarat Synthetic
Race 2 – Belle Flamme
Jockey – Neil Farley
1200m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old filly Belle Flame makes her racetrack debut on Ballarat’s Synthetic this afternoon. The daughter of Rubick has jumped out twice this preparation, given a soft time around this circuit before allowed to find the line at Murtoa four weeks ago. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from an inside gate and can let his filly find her feet in the early parts, finding cover before running through the line late.
The speed battle looks to be between Popthebubbly and Stormbender, while Doubt In The Sky can use the inside alley to punch forward and keep them honest early. Eight-horse field and can make a case for most. Popthebubbly sat just off Undisputable here on debut a fortnight ago, who ran away with an easy win and could a handy type. She’ll be better for the experience and can be in this for a long way. Doubt In The Sky is nine weeks since her debut run at Pakenham Synthetic, where she was entitled to finish closer after an interrupted passage in the home straight. She’ll get her chance to improve today. Stormbender was sound in a handy 2YO race on debut, while Angelos will appreciate getting to 1200-metres. A bit to learn in this one.
Belle Flamme will be better for the experience today and will be given every chance to settle before finishing off her race. A few of these may be too sharp for her on debut but look for her to find the line late.
Currently, Belle Flamme is a $15 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 5 – Off The Deep End
Jockey – John Allen
1500m – Barrier 4
Improving mare Off The Deep End comes back slightly in trip on the Synthetic at Ballarat this afternoon. The six-year-old daughter of Deep Field led and showed plenty of fight when just out of the placings at Warracknabeal last time out, her chances hampered by a rival’s mid-race move that ultimately amounted to nothing. Jockey john Allen leaves from an ideal gate today and can let his mare stride in the early parts, looking to land outside or just behind the speed on settling.
Pharoah’s Daughter and Hot Stomper both draw low and will look to find forward positions in the run, while expect Roo Dash One to roll across from out wider and land thereabouts approaching the bend. Roo Dash One is back in grade having been a distant runner-up behind a $1.24 favourite at this track a fortnight ago. He did leave a gap to the third-placed runner on that occasion, a similar effort sees him go close today. Hardest to beat. Kittyhawk was an easy maiden winner at this track and trip last start and could be ready to go on with it. Each way claims. So too Pharoah’s Daughter, who will look to bounce back after putting in a shocker last time out. Girls night next best.
Off The Deep End only needs to run up to her last start effort to be very competitive in this. She was still in front and kicking in the closing stages at Warracknabeal before fresh legs were able to pounce. No surprise to see her fighting out the finish today.
Currently, Off The Deep End is a $7 chance in the market.
Ballarat Synthetic
Race 6 – Over The Stars
Jockey – Neil Farley
1000m – Barrier 7
Four-year-old galloper Over The Stars looks to bounce back today following a forgettable effort at this track/trip a fortnight ago. The daughter of Overshare was very keen from the outset and left little in the tank for the run home on that occasion, earning a drop in grade for this afternoon’s race. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from towards the outside and can let his mare roll in the early parts, looking to land somewhere near the speed heading into the bend.
Speed is solid as expected with all of Odessa, Raging Monkey and Frose to look for the top, while El Salto can watch it all unfold in front of him before looking to run on late. Odessa just missed at Geelong first-up before easily accounting for her rivals in maiden grade here last time out. She’s all the rage in the market and shapes as the one to beat. El Salto is another last-start winner at the track and trip, finishing over the top to score comfortably in this grade. Frose beat him home the start prior. Both with each way claims. Hard to make a case for the others.
Over The Stars should be able to travel more comfortably in the run today, able to roll along and leave something in the locker for the home straight. She can bounce back and give this a real shake, strong each way claims.
Currently, Over The Stars is a $6.50 chance in the market.