Ballarat Synthetic
Race 2 – Flying Celica
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old debutant Flying Celica kicks off her racing career on the Synthetic at Ballarat this afternoon. The daughter of Toronado has had a pair of jumpouts this preparation, the latest at this track where she made nice ground late over 850-metres. Jockey Mitch Aitken rides from gate three and can land one or two pairs back from the outset.
Speed looks keen enough early with Brave Emma to go fast from towards the outside, while Attaboom, Down The Wicket and Rosa Juliet will all look to hold their positions from nearer the rail. Rosa Juliet was a good runner-up effort on debut last campaign and comes here on the back of solid jumpout form. She crossed the line with Loafer in her latest hitout on this surface, that galloper winning at Echuca yesterday. If she begins cleanly, she’ll take beating. Down The Wicket raced wide the trip at Geelong last start, boxing on well to hold down second spot. Should receive a much kinder run from the draw, chance to go one better. Each way chances to Layin’ Up and Attaboom.
Flying Celica will improve on whatever she does today, better for the raceday experience next time out. She should receive a lovely run tucked in behind the speed and get her chance to run on late. Each way claims.
Currently, Flying Celica is a $10 chance in the market.
Ballarat Synthetic
Race 3 – Zuri Miss
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 1
Four-year-old mare Zuri Miss makes her stable debut on the Synthetic at Ballarat this afternoon. The daughter of Smart Missile has two previous starts to her name, sound on debut at Sale in Spetember before spelling after a plain effort three weeks later. A recent jumpout on this surface has her ready for today, jockey Mitch Aitken picks up the ride from gate one and can look to lob in the first four in running throughout.
A few will search for the top early, with Limerick Lady and Grundy Three Votes likely to push forward from good draws, while Snow On Her and Lady Of Steel can roll across from out wider and settle handy to the speed. Our Duke went forward first-up at this track, boxing on to run third behind a subsequent Sandown winner. Drawn awkwardly today, but must be considered one of the main chances. Snow On Her is another drawn wide but was good here over 1100-metres last start. Peaks fourth-up and has each way claims. So too Noble Legend who made late ground at Geelong first-up from a long spell. Drawn for a soft run and can be thereabouts in this. Others not hopeless.
Zuri Miss finds a suitable race to kick-off her preparation, and will likely improve over more ground next start. If she can begin cleanly and sit somewhere near the speed, she can give this a shake.
Currently, Zuri Miss is a $5 chance in the market.
Ballarat Synthetic
Race 4 – Grate Crack
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1500m – Barrier 10
TBA
Ballarat Synthetic
Race 5 – Harbourmaster
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1500m – Barrier 2
Cable Bay gelding Harbourmaster gets blinkers on fourth-up from a spell on the Synthetic at Ballarat today. The five-year-old galloper has had one start on this surface previously for one win, and looks ready to improve on his home deck this afternoon. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from gate two and can let his horse roll in the early parts, landing in the first four in running and having every chance to find the line best here.
Nordic will jump fast and look to cross from the outside barrier in a field of eight, while Orion The Hunter can use the inside to hold its position heading into the home bend. Docinthe and Nordic come through the same race here a fortnight ago where there was little between them on the line. Nordic should find the lead and control the race with most of the speed lost to scratchings, while Docinthe gets blinkers on today. Doubt there’s much between them again. Orion The Hunter is a last start winner here, his first go on this Synthetic track. No surprise to see him around the mark again. Diamond War is a chance on his Horsham victory two starts back.
Harbourmaster is fit for recent racing and the headgear going on is a positive move. He should enjoy a lovely trail and present to make his run in the home straight. Strong claims.
Currently, Harbourmaster is a $7.50 chance in the market.