Ballarat (poly)
Race 5 – Tennessee Maggie
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1500m – Barrier 8
Highland Reel mare Tennessee Maggie is third-up and fitter today, staying at 1500-metres on the poly deck at Ballarat. Dwyer’s four-year-old galloper has been okay at two runs back from a spell, finishing fifth (beaten 6.4-lengths) at this track and trip last time out. She was two lengths astern of Appealing on that occasion, that runner winning her maiden at Warracknabeal by six lengths on Saturday. Jockey Mitch Aitken can press forward from a middle gate and take up the lead in a race devoid of much early speed.
Maxims can roll across from a wide alley to be prominent, while Poorme Ashot has raced handy to the speed in the past. This isn’t strong, with only a few realistic chances competing. Maxims is first-up on the back of a sound recent jumpout at Cranbourne. His first two runs last preparation were his best efforts and he only needs to run up to those performances to be in the finish here. Puissance De Vol ran an improved race when second-up last start and will be approaching peak fitness today. He’s drawn wide and will likely drift back from the start, making his task all the more difficult. Concede Vino Corona is an each way chance first-up.
Tennessee Maggie gets blinkers applied for the first time today and will be ridden positively from the outset. Her last run was better than it reads and if she’s taken any improvement from that, will be hard to beat in a skinny contest. A genuibe each way chance.
Currently, Tennessee Maggie is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Ballarat (poly)
Race 7 – Dancethenightaway
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
2100m – Barrier 5
Four-year-old mare Dancethenightaway steps out to 2100-metres for the first time in her career on the poly track at Ballarat this afternoon. The daughter of Highland Reel was solid at Sandown last start when fifth behind The Devil In Her, and will be suited back on the synthetic surface today. Apprentice hoop Jaylah Kennedy has drawn well in gate five and will look for a position in the first half of the field with cover.
The early speed battle looks willing, with Halcyon East, Vivideel and Power Of Song all keen to find prominent positions from the start. The latter was runner-up at this track and trip last start, beaten 3.75-lengths by Look Sharpish. There was a gap to third, and she’s been placed at both attempts on this surface. One of the better chances here. Vivideel won here first-up over 1400-metres before fading in a strong race at Geelong. He’s drawn well and expect him to bounce back in this. Last start winner Halcyon East is racing well, but not sure synthetic is his go? Has each way claims.
Dancethenightaway races as though she’ll handle the rise in trip and back to the poly today is a plus. Kennedy’s 2kg claim gets her in well at the weights and she can enjoy a nice trail behind the leaders throughout. In a competitive race, this mare is a genuine top-three chance.
Currently, Dancethenightaway is a $5 chance in the market.