Ballarat
Race 1 – Hot City
Jockey – Declan Bates
2600m – Barrier 6
Four-year-old galloper Hot City stays at 2600-metres on his home track this afternoon. The gelded son of Ilovethiscity was plain at this track and trip last start, having finished off well at his previous two outings at Manangatang and Horsham. Jockey Declan Bates rides from gate six and will let his galloper settle where comfortable in the run, looking to finish off late in the piece.
Moderate affair. Charlie Messy Hair improved at his third career start here over this distance last time out, sent around at big odds but beaten under two lengths. A similar effort sees him in the finish again today, any improvement on that run makes him the one to beat. The other chance in the race is Maritorious, who has been sound at her past couple and looks ready for the rise in trip. She hits this fourth-up and ready to peak. Perhaps Clydebank Robber next best, but he’s lining up for start number thirty.
Hot City strikes a winnable race today, but does need to bounce back after a poor showing last start. He’s better than that and realistically only needs to run up to his Horsham performance to go close in this. Time to stand up today.
Currently, Hot City is a $3.80 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 2 – Porrista
Jockey – John Allen
1000m – Barrier 2
Promising mare Porrista is first-up at the 1000-metre dash on home soil this afternoon. The four-year-old daughter of Telperion was solid at this track and trip on debut in April, before a luckless run at Warrnambool when knocked over and found the paddock following her next run. She resumes on the back of a sound Mortlake jumpout, jockey John Allen able to let his galloper settle with cover in the run before looking to finish off in the closing stages.
Simply Luscious and Lunar Module will likely roll forward from the outset, while newcomers French Harp and Egerton have both shown speed in their respective jumpouts. Just seven runners here but you could make a case for all. Gunado was good behind Damehood (since run well) over this distance here on debut four weeks ago, before a sound effort out to 1200-metres last time out. Back to 1000-metres suits, wide draw not a problem from the chute start. One of the main hopes. Lunar Module was solid first-up for a new stable and comes back slightly in trip for this. Consistent, but becoming a perennial placegetter. Each way claims. So too Simply Luscious, who improved second-up from a spell after pulling up lame when fresh. Debutants Egerton and French Harp could show up without surprising. Tricky race.
Porrista will benefit from the run today, taking improvement on whatever she does here. She has the ability to beat a field like this, however may find a couple too sharp at this stage of her preparation. Look for her late.
Currently, Porrista is an $11 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 5 – Nishino Crescent
Jockey – Declan Bates
2600m – Barrier 10
Enigmatic galloper Nishino Crescent is up in trip and back in grade when he gets out to 2600-metres at Ballarat this afternoon. The gelded son of Satono Aladdin is four weeks since a plain effort in Adelaide, spending most of that time at St Leonards to freshen-up before today’s race. Jockey Declan Bates draws towards the outside and can drift back in the early parts, looking to work into the race and run home late.
Speed comes from the centre with Piercing Sky and Tewkesbury to roll forward in the early parts, while expect Bellakai and Just Berrilliant to settle in the front half when runners pass the post for the first time. Bellakai was a strong winner two starts back before a solid showing in stronger grade at Geelong three weeks ago. Suited back to this company and racing well this preparation. Hardest to beat. Hollandia and Jenny The Beaver ran the quinella at Bendigo a fortnight ago, the former getting the upper hand on that occasion. Hollandia crossed the line with the placegetters at this track and trip the start prior, while Jenny The Beaver looks ready for the distance rise. Both with each way claims. Just Berrilliant next best with blinkers applied for the first time.
Nishino Crescent will benefit from the freshen-up since last start, and will get every chance to relax in the run before making his move in the latter stages of the race. He gives every indication he will enjoy the rise in distance, but as always, how he is feeling between his ears will dictate how he performs come race time. Can give this a shake.
Currently, Nishino Crescent is a $14 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 6 – Macocha
Jockey – Alysha Warren
1200m – Barrier 4
Promising filly Macocha resumes at Ballarat over 1200-metres this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Street Boss has had two trials leading in, an okay effort at Seymour before a forward showing at Mortlake ten days ago. Apprentice hoop Alysha Warren claims 3kg and leaves from barrier four, able to find cover from the outset and track into the race rounding the home bend.
Some of the speed has come out at scratching time, leaving Snappy Pierro and Furosshi as the most likely leaders turning for home, which should set up lovely trails for Macocha and Allouvre from soft draws. Frost Yourself is first-up for a new stable today on the back of a pair of sound jumpouts. She generally gets a long way back in her runs, but if she can settle closer in the run today, looks suited in this grade. Doesn’t win often but was good first-up last preparation. One of the main chances. Runaway Statement resumes here having won her maiden fresh last campaign. No surprise to see her show up today. Each way chances to Acappella Moon, who was a strong Avoca winner last start, and Furosshi, who is becoming hard to trust after four straight runner-up efforts.
Macocha will improve on whatever she does today, better suited out in trip later in her preparation. She has the ability to go close in a race like this first-up, and can do just that with even luck in running. Each way claims.
Currently, Macocha is an $11 chance in the market.