Ballarat
Race 5 – Off The Deep End
Jockey – Jack Hill
1600m – Barrier 4
Five-year-old mare Off The Deep End is on the quick back-up following her runner-up effort at Colac on Sunday. The daughter of Deep Field looked the winner with a furlong to travel on that occasion, only to be run down late after a rails run appeared for the eventual winner. Jockey Jack Hill sticks on and can be positive again from the start, looking to land on or just behind the speed from the mile chute.
Flanagan will roll forward from a middle gate and look to take up the lead, while expect Hand Me Down and Ready Tiger to be thereabouts on settling. Flanagan found only one better at Pakenham a fortnight ago after working across from the outside gate to race on-speed at 1400-metres. He was only collared late on that occasion and expect him to be in this for a long way. Hardest to beat. Litzdeel was good at both starts in her debut preparation, heading to the paddock a winner over this distance. A pair of jumpouts suggest she’s come back in good order, each way claims. So too Magic Drum, who put in a better effort last time out, and Hand Me Down, who can improve second-up from a spell.
Off The Deep End only needs a repeat performance of her Colac run to be right in the mix today. She’s drawn to roll forward again and if she steps cleanly, can give this a real shake. Strong claims.
Currently, Off The Deep End is a $5.50 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 7 – Wuddzz
Jockey – John Allen
2000m – Barrier 5
Seven-year-old galloper Wuddzz is first-up and straight to 2000-metres at Ballarat this afternoon. The gelded son of Complacent has one jumpout to his name this time in, bowling around this track a fortnight ago in preparation for today. Jockey John Allen leaves from barrier five and can let his gelding find his feet early, likely to settle with cover in the second half of the field.
Not a great deal of early speed in this, expecting Hiawatha to roll across from the outside and find the top, while Prismatic and Love Sparkles can look to settle forward from nearer the inside. Plenty of jumpers resuming here, leaving Love Sparkles and Hiawatha as the main chances. Siding with Love Sparkles of that pair, who has been sound in three runs since arriving from New Zealand. Drawn for the right run and only needs to hold her form to go close here. Hiawatha was plain late at Pakenham last start but his form in New South Wales prior was solid for this. Can bounce back. Preferential next best, third-up from a break and ready to improve. Instigator can pull put a run fresh.
Wuddzz strikes a dry track today and will be better out in trip later in his campaign. 2000-metres is a suitable starting point and no surprise to see him hitting the line late.
Currently, Wuddzz is an $11 chance in the market.