Ballarat
Race 1 – Different Gravy
Jockey – Jamie Mott
1100m – Barrier 8
Two-year-old debutant Different Gravy kicks off his racing career on his home track over 1100-metres this afternoon. The son of Ghaiyyath has just one trial under his belt leading in, a sound effort at Avoca in a steadily run heat over 800-metres four weeks ago. Jockey Jamie Mott rides from the outside gate in a field of eight, able to drift back and find cover in the early parts before looking to run on in the home straight.
Six of the eight runners here are first-starters, making the early speed tricky to predict. Expect last start winner Hello Romeo to press forward from a middle draw, while Aleppo Pine looks as likely as any to go with it following a forward showing in a recent Flemington jumpout. Plenty to learn here. Race experience could tip the scales in favour of Hello Romeo, who won strongly at Bendigo over 1000-metres three weeks ago. That was his second start, following a sound effort when a close runner-up behind Leave No Doubt on debut. That horse wasn’t disgraced in Listed company at Flemington on Stakes Day. Should get every chance from the front, hardest to beat. Aleppo Pine’s latest jumpout suggests he has ability, easily winning a jumpout when leading throughout. No surprise to see him show up here. Highstrung and Neverenoughlego next best in a tricky start to the card.
Different Gravy will improve on whatever he does today, suited up in trip next time out. He can enjoy a soft trail throughout and hit the line late, providing he settles in the run. Look for him to be warming up on the line.
Currently, Different Gravy is a $17 chance in the market.
Colac
Race 1 – Turfaction
Jockey – Neil Farley
1000m – Barrier 9
Resuming galloper Turfaction kicks off his preparation over the 1000-metre dash at Colac this afternoon. The gelded son of Turffontein had two starts in his debut preparation, performing soundly on both occasions before spelling in winter. A recent Avoca trial suggests he’s come back in good order, however with only that trial under his belt, he’ll take plenty of improvement from today in a fitness sense. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from gate nine and won’t bustle for the lead early, rather looking for cover midfield before finishing off in the run home.
Speed will be hot early, with Gamadale Indi and Flick Roll to use low draws to hunt through from the outset while debutant Bella Luna showed ample gate speed in her latest jumpout win. Liberty London makes her debut here on the back of a Flemington jumpout win, where she was sent forward and given a little shake up in preparation for today. Drawn poorly but has enough early speed to find a forward position. One of the main hopes. Fellow first-starter Bella Luna easily won her latest hitout and could be the one to catch turning for home. That’s a good place to be at Colac. Strong claims. Of the raced, Gamadale Indi is first-up for a new stable, having shown glimpses of ability last campaign, while Flick Roll will make her own luck up front. Both with each way claims.
Turfaction will be better for the run today, and is likely to find himself in the second half of the field on the home bend. That’s a tricky spot around this circuit, but he can hit the line if he settles in the run. On ability, he can give this a shake, but improvement to come.
Currently, Turfaction is a $3 chance in the market.
Colac
Race 2 – Composite Action
Jockey – Neil Farley
1600m – Barrier 3
Improving filly Composite Acton gets out to a more suitable trip at Colac this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Foxwedge has been plain in two starts this preparation over shorter journeys and will appreciate the rise to a mile today. Jockey Neil Farley rides from barrier three and can be positive in the early stages, looking to land on-speed throughout and give them something to chase in the run home.
Insubordinate will likely kick-up from the inside alley and challenge for the lead, while Moveen can come across and sit outside or just behind the speed from a middle gate with Darksideofthemoon. Moveen was runner-up on debut at Hamilton four weeks ago and comes here better for the outing. He draws for the right run today and any improvement on his first-up effort sees him as the one to beat. Darksideifthemoon was good at Avoca before being sent out as favourite at Wycheproof, where he was shuffled back before the bend and given no hope from there. He can improve with even luck today. Each way chances to Bargino first-up, and Sasterion, who has had an eye-watering amount of jumpout experience ahead of his debut.
Composite Action gets her chance to show something today in a relatively moderate affair. She’ll be better again over more ground, but up to a mile and ridden on-speed are both positives. Each way claims.
Currently, Composite Action is a $7 chance in the market.