Ballarat
Race 1 – Black Cherry
Jockey – Declan Bates
1000m – Barrier 2
Brazen Beau filly Black Cherry makes her racetrack debut on home soil today at Ballarat. The three-year-old galloper was sound at a recent Stawell trial, leading and travelling strongly through the line on soft ground three weeks ago. Jockey Declan Bates rides from an inside gate and can come out neutral, letting his filly settle where comfortable in the run.
Speed is unclear with a host of first-starters engaged. So Immaculate and Daella went forward in their respective debut runs, the former sticking on well at Warracknabeal behind an impressive all-the-way winner. She can settle handy to the speed again and will only be better for the first-up run. Strong each way claims. Flash ‘N’ Dash raced three-wide up on-speed throughout on debut, doing a good job to hold down third when looking gone on the turn. A softer run here can see him prominent again. Each way claims to Coastal Abbey second-up from a spell, and Betwitchery, who has jumped out well. Plenty to learn.
Black Cherry draws for a nice run here, her effort at Stawell suggesting she may land in the front half of the field from the outset. She gets first use of a lovely surface today and will benefit from the raceday experience. Keen to watch.
Currently, Black Cherry is a $46 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 3 – Hot City
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1400m – Barrier 5
Resuming galloper Hot City kicks off his campaign over 1400-metres on his home track this afternoon. The gelded son of Ilovethiscity was sound at Geelong on debut in December, backing up with two more good runs before reaching the end of his preparation next time out. He was given a quiet time at a recent Ballarat jumpout and will only improve from the run today. Mitch Aitken rides from an ideal barrier and can take cover from the outset, looking to run through the line late in the piece.
Speed is okay with Shockstar and Ribcracker to punch forward from low draws, while expect British Poet and Royal Infantry to land somewhere near the speed early on. Even affair. First-starter Sir Kenny jumped straight to the front to win his most recent jumpout at Cranbourne and draws to get every favour in gate three. Blinkers on for his debut, he can roll forward and be right there turning for home. One of the main chances. All Kinds Of Folk ran on well from the back over 1200-metres on debut at Benalla and will appreciate the extra ground today. Expect her to be running on late. Superluminal was good on debut and quickly out to this trip is likely to suit here. Has had a jumpout between runs, each way claims. So too Royal Infantry, who was solid first-up last preparation. Most recent jumpout was just fair. Others with claims in an open race.
Hot City has just one jumpout to his name this preparation and will benefit from the run today. 1400-metres is a suitable kicking-off point, how he handles the soft ground will play a role in this. He’ll be better with the run under his belt and over more ground later in his preparation.
Currently, Hot City is a $23 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 8 – Almonti
Jockey – Declan Bates
2000m – Barrier 10
Consistent galloper Almonti steps out to 2000-metres in the last event at Ballarat today. The gelded son of Dundeel was a strong winner at Geelong two starts back over 1700-metres, before giving every indication last start that he’s looking for this trip today. Jockey Declan Bates keeps the ride and can let his five-year-old roll in the early parts, landing outside or just behind the speed throughout the race.
Speed is drawn outside Almonti, with Tewkesbury and Midnight Lady likely to roll forward from the outset, while no surprise to see Piercing Sky thereabouts from nearer the rail. Tewkesbury has been runner-up in seven of fourteen starts, registering just one in his career to date. There’s been plenty of market support for him this morning, but is surely hard to trust. Each way claims. Rebadge and Big Story are both right down in class for today’s race, coming through the same race at Caulfield three weeks ago. Only half-a-length separated them on that occasion as they both made runs from the back, with Rebadge going just the better. Both with each way claims. Bellalique next best.
Almonti has come through his run at Geelong a week ago in terrific order and the relatively quick back-up should pose no concern today. He travelled like a 2000-metre horse last time out and any track upgrade during the day will be in his favour. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Almonti is an $8.50 chance in the market.