Ballarat
Race 1 – Bento Knight
Jockey – Tom Madden
1200m – Barrier 9
Two-year-old galloper Bento Knight makes his racetrack debut on home soil at Ballarat this afternoon. The gelded son of Dundeel has jumped out twice this preparation, given a quiet time on both occasions in readiness for today’s run. Jockey Tom Madden rides from the outside gate in a field of nine and can let his galloper settle where comfortable, likely to find cover in the second half of the field before running on in the home straight.
A host of scratchings owing to the heavy conditions, but expect Truth i Fear and Mafee to roll forward and look for the lead, while debutant Diadamo showed good speed in his most recent jumpout. Buzitup came from off-speed in a Mornington jumpout to close nicely in an encouraging hitout before his first start today. He can settle with cover throughout and present to run on late in the piece. No surprise to see him thereabouts. Lowlands was solid when runner-up at Geelong on debut, leaving a gap of three lengths to the third-placed horse. Any improvement from that run has her right in this. Each way chances to Jakivy and Diadamo in a race with plenty to learn.
Bento Knight will improve on whatever he does today, and how he handles a wet track is unknown at this stage. He’ll enjoy a soft run throughout and get his chance to balance up and run home. Could sneak into the top four.
Currently, Bento Knight is a $23 chance in the market.
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Race 3 – I’m Exonerated
Jockey – John Allen
1500m – Barrier 2
Improving galloper I’m Exonerated is third-up and out to 1500-metres at Ballarat this afternoon. The gelded son of Turn Me Loose was good here first-up over a sprint trip before an okay effort at Bendigo four weeks ago behind Henlein, who has since run well in town. Jockey John Allen has drawn ideally in gate two and can look to lob in front or leaders’ back from the outset up in trip today.
Speed is good early with Not So Common and Beatrice Cranach to roll across from their outside draws, while Hurricane Ketut and Versaider can land in the front half of the field early on. Tricky race. Hurricane Ketut has placed in four of five runs this campaign, and did handle the heavy conditions at Moe last time out. He’ll get every chance from the front and be in this for a long way. Dazzling Sky has run well all three starts this preparation and is ready for this trip today. He can lob midfield with cover from a good draw and make his presence felt late. Each way chances to Not So Common, who has been jumping out soundly, and Grate Crack, who didn’t have the best of luck on debut. Other with minor claims.
I’m Exonerated gets his chance to breakthrough on his home track today, how he handles the heavy conditions will be key to his chances. He’s fitter for two runs this time in and looking for this trip now, and should get every chance from a favourable draw. Strong claims.
Currently, I’m Exonerated is an $8 chance in the market.
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Race 4 – Stormsarrived
Jockey – John Allen
2600m – Barrier 9
Three-year-old filly Stormsarrived is fourth-up and fitter when she gets out to 2600-metres at Ballarat this afternoon. The daughter of Akeed Mofeed ran a much-improved race out to 2400-metres at Swan Hill three weeks ago, beaten just over a length and kicking strongly in the home straight in a blanket finish. Jockey John Allen rides from towards the outside today and can let his filly roll in the early parts, finding a position in the front half of the field passing the post for the first time.
Go Irish and The Precursor will roll across from their wide draws and look to settle forward early, while Needs To Succeed will be thereabouts heading into the back. Shogun Express has placed his past three starts, just going down in a two-horse war in heavy going at Moe last time out. He left a margin of six lengths tot he third-placed horse there and draws for the softest of runs from the inside alley today. Hardest to beat. Chimed ran on strongly in the aforementioned Swan Hill race to grab third on the line and out to this trip doesn’t look to pull him up. Rain-affected ground the query today. The Precursor can argue he was unlucky not to win on the synthetic last start, held up at a vital stage when having to settle for second prize. Fourth-up and ready for this trip now. Carashan Chloe has each way claims on her last start effort at Cranbourne.
Any improvement from Stormsarrived’s performance at Swan Hill sees her right in the mix this afternoon. Heavy ground a query for her (and others) but she’s fit for recent racing and must be considered a chance in this field. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Stormsarrived is a $9 chance in the market.
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Race 8 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Alysha Warren
1600m – Barrier 14
Five-year-old mare Friday At Five gets conditions to suit on her home track this afternoon. The daughter of Zoustar was sound at a mile last start when third behind African Pioneer and has been kept fresh with four weeks between runs into today. Apprentice hoop Alysha Warren leaves from the outside gate in a field of fourteen and can be positive early, looking to cross the field and take up the running before the first bend.
Not a great deal of speed to consider in this, perhaps Blown Away and African Pioneer can settle in the first few in running, while Unthinkable may elect to roll forward from towards the outside. Open affair. This galloper is back in grade following a pair of sound efforts in stronger company. She’s performed well on heavy ground before (3:1-0-1) and presents as one of the main dangers today. Funnyifitwon was a good winner at Bendigo in April before two sound subsequent runs. Got through the heavy ground at Sale last start okay and has each way claims here. African Pioneer beat Friday At Five home last start, while Blown Away was a good winner here two starts back. Both with each way chances. My Brothers Keeper and Almonti next best in a wide-open race.
Friday At Five was a strong winner in these conditions in the Hanging Rock Cup and should be able to find the top without spending too many tickets early. The pattern of the day will be key to her chances, but if there’s any on-pace bias, she comes right into calculations.
Currently, Friday At Five is an $18 chance in the market.
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Race 8 – Almonti
Jockey – Blaike McDougall
1600m – Barrier 11
Last start winner Almonti is third-up and fitter when he returns to his home track this afternoon. The gelded son of Dundeel was a strong winner at Swan Hill three weeks ago at this trip, rising in grade today and suited with cut out of the ground. Jockey Blaike McDougall leaves from barrier eleven and can settle midfield or worse with cover throughout, looking to run on in the home straight.
Not a great deal of speed to consider in this, with Friday At Five to roll forward from the outside and take up the lead, while perhaps Blown Away and African Pioneer can settle in the first few in running. Open affair. Unthinkable is back in grade following a pair of sound efforts in stronger company. She’s performed well on heavy ground before (3:1-0-1) and presents as one of the main dangers today. Funnyifitwon was a good winner at Bendigo in April before two sound subsequent runs. Got through the heavy ground at Sale last start okay and has each way claims here. African Pioneer beat Friday At Five home last start, while Blown Away was a good winner here two starts back. All with each way chances. My Brothers Keeper next best in a wide-open race.
Almonti was good winning last start but may be looking for further at this stage. The heavy conditions will turn this into a tough mile event which should play into his hands, and providing runners can make ground in the home straight, he can figure somewhere in the first four.
Currently, Almonti is a $16 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 8 – Pittsburgh Pirate
Jockey – Neil Farley
1600m – Barrier 1
Resuming stayer Pittsburgh Pirate kicks off his campaign over a mile at Ballarat this afternoon. The gelded son of Pierro enjoyed an excellent preparation when last in work, racking up three wins and performing well in metropolitan company before spelling in January. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from the inside alley and can let his galloper settle where comfortable, likely to find a few of these too sharp at the mile.
Not a great deal of speed to consider in this, with Friday At Five to roll forward from the outside and take up the lead, while perhaps Blown Away and African Pioneer can settle in the first few in running. Open affair. Unthinkable is back in grade following a pair of sound efforts in stronger company. She’s performed well on heavy ground before (3:1-0-1) and presents as one of the main dangers today. Funnyifitwon was a good winner at Bendigo in April before two sound subsequent runs. Got through the heavy ground at Sale last start okay and has each way claims here. African Pioneer beat Friday At Five home last start, while Blown Away was a good winner here two starts back. All with each way chances. My Brothers Keeper and Almonti next best in a wide-open race.
Pittsburgh Pirate will take good benefit from the run today as he steps out in trip later in his preparation. He won’t mind the heavy conditions but will likely find a mile too short to make an impact in the race. Look for him to warm up late.
Currently, Pittsburgh Pirate is a $27 chance in the market.