Ballarat Synthetic
Race 4 – Zuri Miss
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 1
Four-year-old mare Zuri Miss makes her stable debut after a false start here three weeks ago. The daughter of Smart Missile was a late scratching when fractious at the gates on that occasion, but has jumped out satisfactorily in the interim and returns to the races today. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from the inside and can settle midfield on the rail, looking to run on in the home straight in a pointer for more ground next start.
Azeezle and Trevenson have drawn low gates and will press forward in thew early parts, while Trusting You and Apache Prince can look to roll across and settle handy from wider out. Azeezle sat outside the leader on debut at Bendigo and boxed on okay when it looked like he’d drop right out. He finished alongside Ania on that occasion, who has come out and won well at Seymour during the week. Can again lob on speed and give a sight. Chance. Trevenson had a lovely run on debut but was no match for a dominant winner when finishing third. The runner-up from that race has raced twice since without getting close. Won a jumpout between runs, each way chance. Debutant Air Of Authority next best in a race that drops away quickly.
Zuri Miss will be better for the run today and draws for a soft run throughout. Better suited over more ground, but no surprise to see her around the mark in this. Each way claims.
Currently, Zuri Miss is a $14 chance in the market.
Ballarat Synthetic
Race 5 – The Sisco Kid
Jockey – John Allen
1200m – Barrier 7
Danerich gelding The Siscos Kid is second-up and fitter when he returns to the Ballarat Synthetic track this afternoon. The seven-year-old galloper worked to sit outside the lead when fresh six weeks ago, dropping out in the home straight and is ready to improve with that run under his belt. Jockey John Allen leaves from the outside gate in a field of seven and can roll forward in the early stages, looking to lob outside or just behind the speed throughout.
Spirited battle for the top here, with all of Ruminate, Rosalia, Santastico and Greenhill Prince to jump fast and press forward in the early parts. Can make a case for most in this. Rosalia was a winner here last start, beating Ruminate who had a hard-luck story to tell. Doubt there’s much between them again here, but no surprise to see Ruminate turn the tables today. Santastico led until very late when finding only one better here last time out. Can again give a sight. Greenhill Prince can bounce back from an ordinary effort a fortnight ago, though may be stretched in this company.
The Siscos Kid always improves with a run under his belt, recording three previous second-up wins. He’s placed just once from five attempts on a synthetic surface, but anything close to his best has him right in the mix today. Each way claims with early luck from the wide gate.
Currently, The Siscos Kid is a $14 chance in the market.
Ballarat Synthetic
Race 7 – Berry Foxie
Jockey – Jack Hill
1500m – Barrier 4
Four-year-old mare Berry Foxie is seven weeks between runs when she steps out on the Synthetic at Ballarat this afternoon. The daughter of Rommel has had an interrupted preparation, mixing her form and will need the run today ahead of a more suitable target up in trip next start. Jockey Jack Hill leaves from gate four and can find cover midfield before presenting to run on in the home straight.
Apollo Blu can roll across in a race of little early speed and find the top early, while Dillinger and Queen Of Deels can boot through and settle handy in the run. Even affair. Dillinger led and was only claimed late by in-form galloper Khor at Swan Hill. That runner just missed up in grade at Cranbourne last start and if Dillinger can find the lead here, he’ll take a power of catching. Queen Of Deels was a good winner last start at Echuca was a winner at her only start at this track. Drawn for a lovely run and can have the last crack. Each way chance to stablemates Perfect Gold and Allibor, who will be making ground late.
Berry Foxie will use today’s race to build fitness for next start when she rises in trip and returns to grass. She should enjoy a nice run throughout, but waiting for next start to back.
Currently, Berry Foxie is a $27 chance in the market.