Ballarat
Race 1 – Wannon Rebel
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
2000m – Barrier 5
Four-year-old debutant Wannon Rebel kicks off his racing career over 2000-metres on his home track. The gelded son of Rebel Raider has had three jumpouts this preparation, all indicating that he’ll need this distance and more to be at his best on raceday. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from a good barrier and will come out neutral, letting the horse find his feet and settle where he’s comfortable.
Porter has shared the lead at both career starts over shorter trips to date, and from barrier one today we can expect he’ll punch forward and lead again at a steadier tempo. He can control the race from the front and with a solid first-up run under his belt, should be able to finish off. He’s hardest to beat, but cannot entertain at the short quote. Madam Mayhem strung three runner-up performances together on the synthetic before a basic effort at Cranbourne last time out. She’s been up a long time but is hard fit and should run a strong trip. She made a mid-race move three starts back when beaten a head in a two-horse war over 2200-metres, and may employ similar tactics from a wide draw today. An each way chance. So too is Splendid Chap who was trending in the right direction before a plain run at Geelong last start. The two efforts prior were good and put him in the mix here. Hard to enthuse others, perhaps improvement from Mercante who gets blinkers for the first time.
Wannon Rebel will take benefit from his first raceday outing and improve up in distance later in his preparation. He’s a nice staying type and gets first use of a lovely surface at Ballarat this afternoon. He can run past a couple in the run home, but waiting for another day to back him.
Currently, Wannon Rebel is a $26 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 3 – Equatori
Jockey – John Allen
1200m – Barrier 3
Toronado mare Equatori strikes a strong maiden on her home deck over 1200-metres this afternoon. The four-year-old galloper was sound first-up in July behind Motitsi (form around good, since won again) before failing to make an impact when in the market at Warrnambool three weeks ago. She has since won a poly jumpout, finishing alongside key rival Elphinstone, and a better effort is expected this afternoon. Jockey John Allen leaves from barrier three and can settle leaders’ back in a race with only moderate early speed.
Ignacio will use the inside alley to hunt through and challenge for the lead, while Lucy Watusi showed some early dash before fading at Warracknabeal last start. Some handy types in this. Justadeel made late ground at Geelong last start against the pattern of the day and can settle closer from a good draw here. Stays at 1200-metres but on what should be a fair track, can be strong to the line late. Hard to hold out. Elphinstone contested strong races in her first preparation, finishing second in Open two-year-old company before finding the paddock. She beat home Treasurway on that occasion, who went on to win a Group-3 in Adelaide. That’s good form for this and recent jumpouts suggest she’s returned well. Arsenale has jumped out well for her debut and is the subject of good market support. Skybird is another who has jumped out well in preparation for her debut. She has each way claims.
Equatori boasts race fitness over a few of these and gets the services of Ballarat’s leading jockey. Allen will look to secure the box seat from a favourable draw and give his mare every chance to perform well around some smart horses. An improved showing is expected and she’s well over the odds at an inflated price. Can collect a cheque for connections today.
Currently, Equatori is a $126 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 8 – Almonti
Jockey – Declan Bates
1600m – Barrier 10
Promising gelding Almonti looks to continue his good run of form on his home track this afternoon. The four-year-old son of Dundeel was a strong maiden winner at Swan Hill two starts back, before measuring up to benchmark-64 grade when third at Geelong four weeks ago. Jockey Declan Bates sticks on and can be positive from a wide draw in the long run to the first bend.
Early speed is only fair, with Bors to punch forward from a good draw and perhaps Teluk to kick-up from barrier two. All So Clear has drawn the inside alley and gets blinkers back on, expecting him to be thereabouts from the get-go. This galloper has raced consistently this campaign, finishing runner-up at this trip and in this grade at Benalla last start. One win from thirteen starts is the knock, but is sure to be there when the race is up for grabs. The Woke Waiter broke a run of placings to find the winner’s stall at Moe last start. Comes back in trip here, but his previous effort behind Poison Chalice at 1400-metres suggests that shouldn’t be a problem. Each way claims from back in the field. Samedi has only missed a placing once from ten tries on good ground and has won at a mile previously. He’ll be better out over more ground but shouldn’t be ignored in this grade. Teluk has performed well at both race starts and is another with each way hopes in a competitive event.
Almonti will roll across early and can find a position on the back of the leaders with even luck. The form from his last start placing has been strong, and a similar effort today puts him right in the mix. If the breaks go his way at the start, he’s a genuine each way chance.
Currently, Almonti is an $8.50 chance in the market.