Ballarat (poly)
Race 1 – Fatal Shot
Jockey – Declan Bates
1100m – Barrier 4
Two-year-old gelding Fatal Shot makes his racetrack debut on the synthetic surface at his home track this afternoon. The son of Shooting To Win has been sound in two public hitouts, the first a jumpout at Horsham before tracking wide and making good ground in an official trial at Werribee last week. Declan Bates jumps from barrier four of six and will settle just off the speed, ideally leader’s back in the running line. Hartshorn will roll across from gate five in search of the lead while He’s Godspeed will likely kick-up from an inside draw. The latter was last seen winning a Horsham jumpout when asked for an effort to hit the line. Drawn for an ideal run here and won’t be far away at the finish. Wiggum brings good jumpout form from SA and is another who could show early toe. Market support suggests there’s something there with this galloper. Hartshorn brings race experience but would have to show improvement to be winning this. Fatal Shot ran fourth in the same jumpout He’s Godspeed won but wasn’t asked for an effort. He could have finished much closer that day and his trial at Werribee has him ready to perform on debut. In a race full of first-starters and unknowns, the Dwyer runner must be considered a winning hope.
Currently, Fatal Shot is a $3.80 chance in the market.
Race 3 – Overclassy
Jockey – Tahlia Hope
1200m – Barrier 6
Three-year-old filly Overclassy returns to the races following an uninspiring debut at Kyneton a fortnight ago. The daughter of Overshare didn’t look comfortable racing back and inside runners, from gate six today Tahlia Hope will send her filly forward in search of a more prominent role out in front. Comb Over Con and Icefall will jump quickly from inside draws while Playin’ Thru has shown good speed in her jumpouts. She starts favourite here on the back of impressive public hitouts, the Peter Mood runner breezing around on the Pakenham synthetic surface in her latest gallop. She’s the only debutant in the race but those with race experience are yet to set the track on fire. Haather looks closest to a win from the raced brigade, laying in badly and costing himself the race at Pakenham last start. The jockey was unable to ride him out to the line there and if he runs straight today he’ll be finishing hard late. Comb Over Con comes through a good form race during the Warrnambool carnival and has never raced on anything but a heavy surface. Getting on top of the ground could be key for him today. Interesting to see what Leading Legend produces after a year away from the track. Overclassy will be ridden positively from the gates today and put herself into the race in the early parts. She will have taken improvement from her debut run and should be more comfortable out in front. Looking for a better performance today.
Currently, Overclassy is a $23 chance in the market.