Ballarat
Race 4 – Frankie Divine
Jockey – Beau Mertens
1400m – Barrier 10
Four-year-old galloper Frankie Divine is a month between runs when he lines up on his home deck this afternoon. The gelded son of Written Tycoon was plain over a mile at Bendigo last start, but the prior effort at Sandown was encouraging when at this distance. Jockey Beau Mertens will be forced back from the outside gate and will slot in with cover in the second half of the field from the outset.
Speed is drawn towards the inside with South Pole getting blinkers for his first start, while fellow debutant Just Explosive has shown speed at recent jumpouts. War Frontier has settled handy in a pair of jumpout wins and should be able to lob in the front half of the field upon resumption here. He started favourite on debut in February, running only fairly there and immediately sent to the paddock. He looks to have returned in good order and shapes as hardest to beat. South Pole will get a favourable run up front and has shown enough ability to suggest he’ll be thereabouts on debut. Arqana settled a long way back at Seymour when fresh, making many lengths in the home straight to be beaten under two-lengths. She can land closer from a good draw here, and expect her to figure in the finish. Concede an each way chance to Just Explosive who gets a nice run in transit.
Frankie Divine’s task from the back of the field is made harder with the rail out eight metres, and he’ll be better suited up slightly in trip next start. His best chance comes if he can get on the back of an improving runner rounding the home bend, and if he runs up to his effort two starts back, he can run into the top four today.
Currently, Frankie Divine is a $12 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 6 – Shakib
Jockey – Rose Hammond
1600m – Barrier 6
Stable newcomer Shakib makes his Australian debut over a mile at Ballarat this afternoon. The gelded son of Proisir was a maiden winner over 2000-metres in New Zealand, and straight to a mile first-up is a suitable starting point this preparation. Jockey Rose Hammond claims 3kg and will let her gelding settle where he’s comfortable form a good draw.
Hot Seat will roll across from his wide draw and look to land in the lead, while Ripple Effect can use the inside alley to punch forward and hold a prominent position in the run. Even race with many hopes, starting with Luv A Duck, who has been racing consistently this preparation. He took his good synthetic form to the grass at Sandown three weeks ago, running on well from the back to finish fourth in stronger grade. If he can step cleanly and hold a midfield position from the good draw, he’ll be right in the finish. One Thing Counts is another coming back in grade, having performed soundly at Geelong when fresh a fortnight ago. He’s fitter and comes back in trip for this, fitter for that first-up run. Won his maiden at this track and trip in March and has claims today. Hot Seat will get every chance from up on speed, winning a Donald jumpout in preparation for today. He’ll have to work to get across early but can give a kick in the straight. Whiskyontherocks is fitter third-up, and expect the usual honest effort from The Talking Toff. Not much would surprise in a tricky.
Shakib will benefit from the run today and be better suited out over more ground later in his preparation. He’ll likely be beaten for speed over this distance and be warming up late in the piece. Waiting until he gets over further, but keen to see him hit the line.
Currently, Shakib is a $16 chance in the market.