Ballarat (poly)
Race 3 – Overclassy
Jockey – Tahlia Hope
1400m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old filly Overclassy looks to improve back on top of the ground at Ballarat this afternoon. The daughter of Overshare may have slightly overdone things when pressing forward from a wide gate last time out, tiring out of that contest late. Jockey Tahlia Hope has drawn ideally in gate three today and can hold a position in the first four without asking too much in the early stages.
Race favourite Cumbrian Queen will go forward and look for the lead from a middle draw, while Boot Of Cortez may follow her over from the outside. Cumbrian Queen finished runner-up at her only race start in summer, and has jumped out well in preparation for today. The market has found her and she’s hardest to beat in this. Dancing Choose improved here second-up and will be all the fitter today. Drawn the inside, he presents as an each way chance. Boot Of Cortez is best of the rest, in a race that drops away significantly after the first few.
Overclassy won’t get a better look at a maiden than what she meets today. The favourite will take some beating but at 1400-metres first-up, may prove vulnerable late. The Dwyer runner is fit for recent racing and should enjoy a nice run throughout. One of the each way chances here.
Currently, Overclassy is a $15 chance in the market.
Ballarat (poly)
Race 8 – Dancethenightaway
Jockey – John Allen
1500m – Barrier 11
Last start winner Dancethenightaway stays at 1500-metres when she returns to her home poly track this afternoon. The Highland Reel filly won strongly in this grade a fortnight ago, defeating some key rivals in the process. Gun hoop John Allen sticks with the three-year-old and has drawn awkwardly in eleven here, needing luck in the early stages to cross and find a prominent position.
Early speed looks keen enough with One Out and Sistine Explorer to push forward from wide alleys, while Kodiak won’t be far away from the middle of the line. Thjis galloper finally broke through for a maiden win last start after five consecutive runner-up performances to kick-off his career. With the confidence of a win under his belt, he may be ready to go on with it now. Shapes as hardest to beat. Stardom Awaayts ran second to Dancethenightaway last time out, peaking on his run in the final 50-metres of the race. He won his maiden here two starts back and will be the best of the closers. We’ll know by this point of the day whether runners are making ground or not. Concede a chance to One Out who is third-up and fitter.
Dancethenightaway gives 2kg to Stardom Awaayts from their last encounter, where the Dwyer filly never looked like being run down. She’ll have the tactical advantage of racing on-speed again today and with even luck early in the race, will again prove very hard to beat. Must be considered a leading hope.
Currently, Dancethenightaway is a $3.90 chance in the market.