Ballarat
Race 1 – Moaksun
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1000m – Barrier 2
Akeed Mofeed gelding Moaksun is second-up and fitter when he takes on a small field on his home track this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper was sent forward and tired late when fresh at Cranbourne three weeks ago, but was good on debut at The Valley in February. Jockey Mitch Aitken jumps from barrier two and will be in the first four turning for home, with speed drawn to his outside.
Debutant Majesticity has shown speed at the jumpouts and will land forward from barrier three, while Dreamzel will roll across from the outside and look to find the front in the early parts. These two gallopers shape as the main dangers in a seven-horse field, with strong market support coming for Majesticity. She’s drawn to find the front and could give them all something to chase. Dreamzel just missed at this track and trip on debut in November, and has been sound in two spaced either side of a spell since. She’s fitter second-up and will look to annoy the favourite in the run. Perhaps Broadway Dancer next best on the back of two sound recent jumpouts.
Moaksun maps to find a plum spot on the back of the leaders throughout here and will just need room in the run home to wind-up and chase. He strips fitter for that first-up run and a repeat effort of his Moonee Valley debut has him right in the mix today.
Currently, Moaksun is a $4.20 chance in the market.
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Race 2 – I’m Exonerated
Jockey – John Allen
1200m – Barrier 4
Resuming three-year-old I’m Exonerated kicks off his preparation over 1200-metres on his home track today. The gelded son of Turn Me Loose was sound in two summer starts before finding the paddock, returning with two quiet jumpouts in readiness for this afternoon. Jockey John Allen rides from barrier four and will let his galloper find his feet early, settling midfield or worse with cover heading into the home straight.
Jeruca Star will punch forward from an outside gate and look for the top early, while Sign From Above and Blast Wave won’t be far away in the opening stages of the race. Sign From Above finished runner-up at all three starts in his debut preparation and was solid first-up at Caulfield’s Heath track four weeks ago. He settled back in that race, but from a good draw is sure to put himself in the picture early here and give them something to chase. Hardest to beat. Blast Wave was entitled to be beaten further on debut after enduring a tough run without cover. She stuck on well considering and has drawn for a kinder run today. Each way claims. So too Blazing Brook, who just missed at this trip last start, and Wild And Free, who was runner-up (no match) behind a smart one on debut here a fortnight ago.
I’m Exonerated will be better suited over more ground but finds a suitable race on his home deck to kickstart his campaign today. He’ll likely find a couple of these too sharp, but look for him to be finding the line late. Top four chance.
Currently, I’m Exonerated is a $17 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 3 – Governor King
Jockey – Declan Bates
1400m – Barrier 2
Resuming galloper Governor King kickstarts his campaign over 1400-metres on his home deck this afternoon. The gelded son of Fiorente was sound at his debut run in December and looks to have returned in good order on the back of a pair of recent jumpouts. Jockey Declan Bates jumps from gate two and can settle midfield with cover, looking for room at the top of the straight to wind up and run home.
Outsiders Squagaga and Explosive Weather will apply some early pressure and search for the top, while Mariner’s Dream and Lucky Duck won’t be far away when runners find their positions. Peerless Lad will go back from the start and be one of the late closers, having been very good at Warracknabeal first-up two starts back. He got too far out of his ground last time out, but if he’s within striking distance at the top of the straight, he’ll take holding out. Lucky Duck is racing well and draws to get all the favours in this, able to find the box seat and present in the run home. Strong claims. These two are the main dangers, with minor claims to Mariner’s Dream, who never runs poorly but wants further.
Governor King strikes a winnable race first-up and should enjoy a lovely run throughout. Recent jumpouts have been encouraging and 1400-metres is ideal on a big track. Will give this a real shake.
Currently, Governor King is a $3 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 5 – Harbourmaster
Jockey – John Allen
1600m – Barrier 7
Comeback galloper Harbourmaster is third-up and fitter when he gets to a mile at Ballarat today. The gelded son of Cable Bay was sound first-up before a flat effort last time out, and will look to bounce back on his home deck this afternoon. Jockey John Allen leaves from gate seven and can be positive early, finding cover in the front half of the field heading into the first bend.
Highland Glory likes to bowl along in her races and can do so again from a low draw here, while Makusha, Murray Factor and Mayan can find forward positions in the run. Subrising has gone back and hit the line hard at her past couple, but the inside alley may dictate she gets a dig to hold a spot early. Her closing effort here a fortnight ago was good and up in trip looks to suit. One of the main hopes. All So Clear was no match for a smart one when runner-up at this track and trip last start, but did leave over four lengths to the third-placed horse on that occasion. Two wins and a second from three attempts at the Ballarat mile. Strong claims. Murray Factor will benefit from a more positive ride today and won’t mind the soft conditions. He can settle outside or just behind the speed and be thereabouts turning for home. Others look stretched.
Harbourmaster peaks for this run today, kept fresh in an effort to see an improved performance. He’ll enjoy the soft conditions and should get the right run throughout. Each way claims.
Currently, Harbourmaster is a $13 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 6 – Almonti
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1400m – Barrier 9
Resuming galloper Almonti is just over the back fence for his first-up run this afternoon. The gelded son of Dundeel has had three jumpouts in readiness for today, the latest of which a sound effort over 1000-metres at Ararat. Jockey Mitch Aitken jumps from an outside gate and will drift back to find cover in the early parts, looking to run on and attack the line in the home straight.
Steel Jimmy will boot through from barrier one and look to control the race from the front, while Ersa, Fly Lie and Le Messager can all find forwards positions approaching the first bend. Even affair. Le Message won a similar contest here last start and boasts a strong record on his home track (4:2-2-0). Drawn a little awkwardly but must be considered one of the main hopes. Fly Lie enjoyed a successful campaign when last in work and has jumped out soundly for his return today. Drawn for a soft run and no surprise to see him show up fresh. Each way chances to Ersa, Vivacious Award and Pyrois in a very tricky race.
Almonti will be better for the run today and improve over more ground next time out. He’ll enjoy the cut out of the ground and can be one of the late closers. Each way claims.
Currently, Almonti is an $18 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 7 – Imapagethree Girl
Jockey – Jarrod Fry
1200m – Barrier 10
Talented mare Imapagethree Girl is second-up and fitter on her home deck this afternoon. The four-year-old daughter of Press Statement was sound when resuming at Bendigo three weeks ago, running on well from the back over 1100-metres. Jockey Jarrod Fry leaves from the outside gate in a field of ten and can let his galloper roll early, settling in the front half of the field turning for home.
Layeruponlayer annihilated his rivals in maiden grade here last start, leading throughout in his Australian debut. He’s drawn to find the front again today and has attracted strong market support. Will give them all something to chase. Strong claims. Thisismyturf comes back in grade following a very good run against the bias at Warrnambool during the carnival. He didn’t have the clearest passage home there and was still taking ground off the winner late. Likely to go back again from the gate but look for him to be charging home. Each way chances to Outta Compton, who won at this track and trip first-up last start, and Magic Chloe, who will be hoping for a genuine tempo up front.
Imapagethree Girl finds a suitable race second-up today and has plenty of time to find her position from the 1200-metre chute start. Her chances improve on a drying surface and no surprise to see her give this a shake today. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Imapagethree Girl is a $6 chance in the market.