The HDR stable has three runners today in BAD BOY BOBBY, GAIUS and HEAVENLY BRIDGES at Ballarat Synthetic.
Ballarat Synthetic
There has been one meeting back on the Ballarat Synthetic and seven of the eight races were won on speed. And while that might look like a pattern, it is early doors in the season so we might see them go a little harder this Monday and that could bring about an evening up in the pattern. That said, light winds are sure to favour those who race on speed.
Race 3 (2:00 pm) Brandt Maiden Plate 1500m
No.1 BAD BOY BOBBY- Mitch Aitken (Barrier 7)
BAD BOY BOBBY heads to the Ballarat Synthetic on Monday to contest a 1500m Maiden (Race 3, 2.00pm). He has drawn gate seven and Mitch Aitken will ride.
BAD BOY BOBBY is back for his second campaign with the blinkers off for the first time. He has had a couple of jump-outs leading into this, the latest in which he was a touch slow to begin before working to the line strongly to finish third. He showed some ability in three runs last campaign but it was really out over a touch further than the 1500m of Monday’s contest and I think he will build on whatever he does here fresh.(Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
BAD BOY BOBBY steps out today on the synthetic, where he has trialled twice prior to this contest. He will be looking for further as the preparation progresses and this will most likely be to sharp for him. He should land near the lead and the stable just wants him to be hitting the line strong. (Stable)
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $16 (as at 11am)
Race 5 (3:00 pm) Porter Plant Class 2 Handicap 1200M
No.3 GAIUS – Damian Thornton (Barrier 5)
GAIUS (5) heads to the Ballarat Synthetic on Monday where he will contest a 1200m Class 2 (Race 5, 3.00pm). He has drawn gate five and Damian Thornton takes the ride.
GAIUS reeled off some good late splits to hit the line strongly at Mildura two back but was pretty plain at Cranbourne Friday week ago when getting a nice run in behind the speed before being seemingly plain in the straight. The 1300m of last start may have seen him out but I would’ve liked to see him do a touch more. From gate five, he should get a reasonable enough run in the small field and while he hasn’t seen the Ballarat Synthetic surface on raceday I did like the way he trialled up here back in July 2021.(Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
GAIUS has his final run for the stable today at home on the synthetic. Unfortunately, his time at HDR has come to an end but he was fit enough for another run before his sale on Wednesday. Hopefully, he can be following the leaders as they run along early and then allow him to hit the line strong. He should be finishing in the first few. (Stable)
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $8 (as at 11am)
Race 8 (4:30 pm) Hygain Winners Choice BM58 Handicap 1100m
No.6 HEAVENLY BRIDGES – Mitch Aitken (Barrier 3)
HEAVENLY BRIDGES (3) heads to Ballarat on Monday where she will tackle an 1100m BM58 (Race 8, 4.30pm). She has drawn gate three and Mitch Aitken take the ride.
HEAVENLY BRIDGES hasn’t been in a BM58 since January 2021 when she was a winner at Yarra Valley, making it consecutive wins at the track and grade in as many starts. It’s fair to say her form has gone off the boil of late but she’s going to get a soft run here from gate three and anything like her best would put her right in the finish of this. This is HEAVENLY BRIDGES’ first exposure to synthetic and while she no doubt would’ve worked on it a bit being locally trained it’s hard to know as a punter if she will relish it. Hard horse to assess in this race on recent form as I’m not convinced she’s going that well but loathed to write her off with what looks a lovely map.(Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
HEAVENLY BRIDGES steps out onto the synthetic today for the first in her career after not handling the wet last start at Casterton. She has come through the run well and with the right luck and will need to show something here today in order to keep her career moving forward, If she runs the right race then she can certainly be challenging(Stable)
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $16 (as at 11am)