The Henry Dwyer Racing stable has two runners today at Ballarat on the synthetic in FEND OFF and OCEAN ARC.
This meeting is on the synthetic track at Ballarat which has been racing reasonably well this season. It is rarely a disadvantage to be up on speed but generally you can win from anywhere if you’re good enough
Ballarat – All Weather Track
Race 1 (1pm) Cervus Maiden Plate
No.2 FEND OFF – Ben Allen (Barrier 1)
FEND OFF heads to Ballarat today where he will tackle a 1500m Maiden. He has drawn gate one and Ben Allen will ride.
FEND OFF was scratched from Warrnambool yesterday as this race looked more suitable, with slightly weaker opposition and on our home track with barrier one. It’s a tricky speed map race with only nine runners and he won’t be getting too far back on the synthetic, with the ear muffs to go on to get him to switch off in the run. Ben will position him wherever he is comfortable and he needs to show us something today and should improve on his recent runs.
Probably a place chance at best.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $13 (as at 8am)
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Race 6 (3.30pm) Hygain Winners Choice Class 1 Handicap
No.2 OCEAN ARC – Beau Mertens (Barrier 5)
OCEAN ARC also heads to Ballarat today where he will contest a 1400m Class 1. He has drawn gate five and Beau Mertens will ride.
OCEAN ARC was really good first up when closing off in good time for the day, prior to racing much flatter second up, when only plain. The blinkers and tongue tie go on here which may elicit some improvement, however he needs to find a few lengths on last time. His maiden win at Bendigo in December rated reasonably well for a race like this.
He is in good order and this race sets up well for him with a lot of speed in it, he will settle midfield from a good draw and should be coming home strongly late. He is a good chance in this race.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $7.50 (as at 8am)