Ballarat
Race 1 – Chilli Tycoon
Jockey – Will Price
1000m – Barrier 2
Three-year-old filly Chilli Tycoon makes her racetrack debut on her home deck this afternoon. The promising daughter of Written Tycoon has been sound in recent jumpouts and trials, and finds a suitable race to kick off her career. Jockey Will Price rides from an inside draw and will likely settle midfield the fence before picking runs in the home straight.
A few with claims in this. Machine Head has drawn gate one and will go fast from the outset, looking to control the race from the front. He’s third-up and fitter, the drop back in trip will suit today. One of the main contenders. Hadrian’s Wall fits a similar profile and gets blinkers on, expect her to roll forward in the early parts and stick on late. Scarlett Thunder was a beaten favourite at Mornington last start but far from disgraced, a similar effort today has her right in the mix. Interesting to see where she gets to from a wide gate. Concede each way chances to Setosa and Smart Return who have jumped out well in preparation for today.
Chilli Tycoon will be better suited over a little more ground, but has the ability to bank a cheque this afternoon. She’ll need luck to find a passage in the run home, but expect her to be hitting the line strongly. Each way claims.
Currently, Chilli Tycoon is a $17 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 7 – Shakib
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
2000m – Barrier 2
Ex-Kiwi galloper Shakib is second-up and fitter when he gets out to 2000-metres at Ballarat this afternoon. The gelded son of Proisir was sound in his Australian debut a fortnight ago at Warrnambool, running through the line well when finding 1700-metres far too short. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from an inside gate today and will drift back to the second half of the field in the early parts.
Fifth Husband will roll forward from the start and look to find the lead, while Katadeel and Remix won’t be far away on settling. Remix has gone close at his past couple and drops in grade for today’s race. The placing behind Five Rings reads well for this. Reservoir Dog beat home Remix last start and is another coming back in class. These two are at the top of the market and it’s hard to make a case otherwise. Both look hard to beat. Concede each way chances to Katadeel and Uniquely, but they’ll need to improve to toss the favoured runners. Private Detective the best of the rest with blinkers going on today.
Shakib steps up in trip today and will be better suited over even more ground. He’ll be ridden a the back of the field and get his chance to run on late. Expect him to hit the line strongly.
Currently, Shakib is a $41 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 8 – Spylark
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1400m – Barrier 9
Enigmatic galloper Spylark is second-up following a sound effort at Horsham a fortnight ago. She got a long way back on that occasion, given no hope on a day where little made an impact from back in the field. Mitch Aitken will drift back from the start again today from a wide alley, but should have the opportunity to run on late in the piece.
Good speed in this with Warchime, Born Hustler and Pocket Change all possessing early speed, while Zoupurring will boot through from the inside alley. This is open! He’s Handsome was a big winner two starts back before a good effort when runner-up last start. He should get a lovely run in behind the speed and be strong late. Born Hustler is first-up off a jumpout win, having contested stronger races last preparation. He’s won fresh previously and is right in the mix here. So too is Mondo who gets blinkers applied second-up, and Pocket Change who comes right back in grade. The last start effort behind Belthil is good form for this. Many with a hope.
Spylark would be better suited with more give in the ground, but that’s hard to find at this time of year. She has the ability to mix it in this class, as always there’s a watch on her barrier manners pre-race. If she behaves herself and the track isn’t too firm late in the day, she’s in with an each way chance today.
Currently, Spylark is a $15 chance in the market.