Ballarat
Race 1 – Three Reel Roses
Jockey – Alysha Warren
1600m – Barrier 8
Three-year-old galloper Three Reel Roses gets to a mile third-up at Ballarat this afternoon. The daughter of Highland Reel showed improvement when up to 1500-metres at Bendigo last start, finishing just out of the placings in a race dominated by the quinella. Apprentice hoop Alysha Warren picks up the ride and leaves from barrier eight, looking for cover midfield before running on and hitting the line late in the piece.
Speed is drawn towards the inside with Wage Rise and Both Sides Now to boot through and hold forward positions, while expect Chirography, Barbie’sdreamworld and Magnani to roll across from out wider on the course. Barbie’sdreamworld has been runner-up at her past two, sticking on gamely at Hamilton last time out when caught wide up on-speed throughout. If she manages to find the front here, she’ll take running down. Hardest to beat. Effietrinket gets blinkers on third-up today and draws to get all the favours tucked in behind the leaders. She was right in the market last start and no surprise to see her in the money today. Each way chances to Both Sides Now, who is ready for the rise in trip, and Broadhurst, who was solid at Wangaratta first-up.
Three Reel Roses bumps into a good maiden affair today, and does get in on a very light weight after the apprentice claim. If she can find a nice trail two or three pairs back from the outset, she can run on and collect a cheque in the top six this afternoon.
Currently, Three Reel Roses is a $51 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 7 – Flying Celica
Jockey – Eoin Walsh
1600m – Barrier 1
Toronado mare Flying Celica gets out to a mile second-up at Ballarat this afternoon. The four-year-old mare was just okay when fresh here three weeks ago, unable to make inroads from the tail when failing to beat a runner home. The extra distance today is in her favour, jockey Eoin Walsh to let his mare settle midfield with cover from the inside alley, looking to run on in the home straight.
Amberana will roll forward and look to hold the front from gate three, with Dalton Dancer to challenge or sit outside that runner throughout the race. Dwyer stablemate Friday At Five sets up for a lovely trail behind the leaders, coming here on the back of a fourth-placing when beaten a length at Benalla last start. The runner-up from that race has since won, and with even luck from the outside gate, she can be in the finish again today. One of the main chances. Ampere was good late at Mornington when resuming from a very long spell. She’s two-from-two second-up and won her only start at 1600-metres. Draws for a soft run and can figure in this. Concede an each way chance to Think I’m Famous, who won a similar contest first-up last campaign.
Expecting improvement from Flying Celica today, who will be better again next start over more ground. She’ll need luck to get out and rolling from the inside, but look for her to be picking up late in the piece, in a nod to stepping up in trip next time out.
Currently, Flying Celica is a $6 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 7 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 9
Zoustar mare Friday At Five finds a suitable race to break a run of outs at Ballarat this afternoon. The six-year-old mare has been racing well without winning of late, a touch unlucky not to go closer when beaten a length at Benalla last time out. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from the outside gate in a field of nine and can find a lovely position behind the leaders, enjoying a soft trail turning into the home straight.
Amberana will roll forward and look to hold the front from gate three, with Dalton Dancer to challenge or sit outside that runner throughout the race, setting up a gun run for Friday At Five from the outset. Comeback galloper Ampere was good late at Mornington when resuming from a very long spell. She’s two-from-two second-up and won her only start at 1600-metres. Draws for a soft run here, looks the one to beat. Concede an each way chance to Think I’m Famous, who won a similar contest first-up last campaign, and Dwyer stablemate Flying Celica, who will be warming up late.
Friday At Five finds a suitable race this afternoon, needing only to hold her form from last start to be right in the thick of this. The runner-up from that Benalla race has since won, that looks the right form for a race like today’s. Strong claims.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $5 chance in the market.