Ballarat
Race 1 – Moaksun
Jockey – John Allen
1100m – Barrier 3
Four-year-old galloper Moaksun resumes this afternoon, first-up since racing here in August last year. The gelded son of Akeed Mofeed was three times a runner-up last campaign and returns here following a sound Donald jumpout three weeks ago. Jockey John Allen leaves from a soft draw and can land where comfortable in the run, likely midfield or better with cover throughout.
Speed looks solid enough with Controlled Zone and Grand Intention to roll across from the outside and find forward positions early on, while expect Rivazza and Hot Chips to press forward from nearer the rail. Controlled Zone has placed in his past five runs, within a length of the winner at his past three, and a win looks close. Becoming hard to trust but is sure to be around the mark again. Grand Intention was a shade unlucky on debut at this track and trip, backing up with a pair of placings since. Only needs to hold form to go close here. Hot Chips has jumped out well for her resumption here. She took a run to find form last preparation but looks forward enough to prove competitive today. Each way claims. So too El Calafate, who resumes gelded and has been solid in the market, and Rivazza, who has jumped out well for her new stable.
Moaksun has been sound in two prior first-up attempts and draws for a lovely run throughout today. Blinkers off/pacifiers on could spark some improvement, and the horse looks in terrific order. Each way claims with improvement to come.
Currently, Moaksun is an $11 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 1 – Anecdotal
Jockey – Alana Kelly
1100m – Barrier 9
Three-year-old gelding Anecdotal makes his racetrack debut today, just over the back fence at Ballarat. The son of Magnus has a pair of quiet jumpouts to his name this preparation, held together at Avoca before being allowed to find the line on the Synthetic four days ago. Jockey Alana Kelly leaves from towards the outside and can let her galloper find his feet in the early parts, drifting back before running on in the home straight.
Speed looks solid enough with Controlled Zone and Grand Intention to roll across from the outside and find forward positions early on, while expect Rivazza and Hot Chips to press forward from nearer the rail. Controlled Zone has placed in his past five runs, within a length of the winner at his past three, and a win looks close. Becoming hard to trust but is sure to be around the mark again. Grand Intention was a shade unlucky on debut at this track and trip, backing up with a pair of placings since. Only needs to hold form to go close here. Hot Chips has jumped out well for her resumption here. She took a run to find form last preparation but looks forward enough to prove competitive today. Each way claims. So too El Calafate, who resumes gelded and has been solid in the market, and Rivazza, who has jumped out well for her new stable. Stablemate Moaksun next best.
Anecdotal will improve on whatever he does today, better for the experience and with fitness to come. He’ll be towards the rear turning for home, assuming he settles, and look for him to be warming up late.
Currently, Anecdotal is a $71 chance in the market.
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Race 5 – Governor King
Jockey – John Allen
1600m – Barrier 1
Improving galloper Governor King is second-up and fitter when he gets out to a mile on his home deck this afternoon. The gelded son of Fiorente was okay at Geelong first-up, just holding his ground late under the impost of 60kg, with little relief on offer today. Jockey John Allen leaves from the inside alley and will find cover in the second half of the field on settling, looking to run on late in the piece.
Professor Pickles will go fast from a middle gate and likely find the lead heading into the first bend, while expect Hydrogen Power, Asawin and Brooklyn Boss to roll across from out wider to settle forward in the run. Open affair this. Professor Pickles just missed at Kyneton when fresh and out to a mile looks to suit second-up today. He’ll go forward and give them all something to catch late. Strong claims. Subrising has been competitive in town of late and any give in the ground is a bonus. If runners can make ground, she’ll take a power of holding out late. Each way claims to Powerbound, who will appreciate coming back to this grade, and Hydrogen Power, who will get his chance from a forward position. Others not hopeless.
Governor King presents fitter today for his first-up run and any juice left in the track by this stage of the day is in his favour. He’ll do little work up to the home turn, needing some room on straightening to wind up and hit the line. Each way claims with further improvement to come.
Currently, Governor King is a $14 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 8 – Moscow Red
Jockey – TBC
1400m – Barrier 3
Stable matriarch Moscow Red is first-up on her home deck this afternoon, almost seven months since heading to the paddock following a somewhat eventful day at the races. The eleven-year-old daughter of Road To Rock has a pair of jumpouts to her name this time in, presenting in terrific order and welcoming the recent precipitation. With a rider to be confirmed, the evergreen mare can be ridden quietly from the outset, finding cover in the second half of the field before hitting the line late in her customary way.
Heavenfield looks the likely leader from a middle draw, while no surprise to see British Poet and Reina Isabella roll forward from the outside and find prominent positions in the run. Pray Day was sent back to the trials following a bucking display at Cranbourne three weeks ago. He was favourite on that occasion following a solid closing effort at Pakenham first-up. Blinkers go on and expect him to bounce back here, hardest to beat. Reina Isabella has been good at both runs this time in, her only other third-up run resulted in a win. Will likely turn for home in front of Pray Day which could be advantageous. Strong claims. Each way hopes to Outta Compton, who was a good run fresh (form ties in with Pray Day), and Heavenfield, who should get every chance from the front.
Moscow Red will improve on whatever she does today, better over slightly further and with more juice in the ground. She’ll enjoy a soft trail throughout. look for her to be warming up late.
Currently, Moscow Red is a $51 chance in the market.