Ballarat (poly)
Race 1 – Parori
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1000m – Barrier 9
Star Witness filly Parori makes her racetrack debut on the synthetic surface at Ballarat this afternoon. Henry Dwyer’s three-year-old has a pair of recent jumpouts under her belt, showing good speed on both occasions and cruising around untested. Mitch Aitken rides from gate nine and will be positive from the outset, looking to cross and settle in the front half of the field.
Naughty Nitemare has plenty of early speed and will boot through from the inside alley, while Wave The Wand went forward when first-up last start. Allocate hits this third-up and nearing peak fitness following good efforts on this track and at Swan Hill. His runner-up effort behind Kumicho reads well for this race and he shapes as hardest to beat. Naughty Nitemare looked to be trending in the right direction before having excuses last start. Her two previous runs put her right in this and expect her to bounce back.
Parori is a promising filly with good early speed at her disposal. How she handles raceday pressure will be key to her chances but on ability alone, she comes here with strong each way claims. Much to learn but expecting a forward showing this afternoon.
Currently, Parori is a $6 chance in the market.
Ballarat (poly)
Race 7 – Hollerlujah
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 11
Talented filly Hollerlujah steps up to 1200-metres today following a plain effort when first-up at Bendigo a fortnight ago. The three-year-old daughter of Holler settled rearward on that occasion and failed to make an impression over 1000-metres, however jumped out soundly on this surface last week in preparation for today. Mitch Aitken leaves from a wide barrier and will snag back in the early parts, looking for cover in the second half of the field.
Early speed comes from the middle of the line with Controvesial Miss and I Am Caviar to press forward from the outset, while Finance Harlem will be prominent from the inside. I Am Caviar won well in this company last start at this track/trip and is racing in good heart this preparation. Apart from a miss at Kyneton two starts back his form reads well for a race like this. Goes on top. Finance Harlem didn’t finish off at Mount Gambier last start but the second-placing behind Ten Commandments is good form for a race like this. He’s another with a winning chance. Concede an each way hopes to Capital Express who comes back in class.
Hollerlujah races like she’ll appreciate the extra trip today, and maybe even further next start. She’ll have the opportunity to get to the middle of the track and run on late, and it would be no surprise to see her finish in the top four in a competitive event. She’ll be hoping for a solid tempo to show her best here.
Currently, Hollerlujah is a $15 chance in the market.