The HDR stable has two runners today in VAIN FOX and IRISH BUTTERFLY at Ballarat.
Ballarat- Soft (6)
As at Saturday, the track is rated a Soft 6 and with cold and at times drizzly weather around it will likely be in a similar range for racing. The track itself has been racing very well of late and I’d expect all horses to get their chance. (Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
Race 3 (1:40pm) Cressbells Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate 1200m
No.6 VAIN FOX – Damian Thornton (Barrier 4)
VAIN FOX (4) heads to Ballarat on Sunday where he will resume in a 1200m Maiden (Race 3, 1.40pm). He has drawn gate four and Damien Thornton will ride.
VAIN FOX is well in the market for his first-up run, and deservedly so off what he did last campaign. His best run of the preparation was his most recent at Morphettville when the blinkers went on and he was narrowly beaten in a BM60. He jumped-out nicely at Terang and I like him getting straight to the 1200m from a soft draw. He should get into the one out, one back spot from gate four with a quality jockey in Damien Thornton on board and from there he will be awfully hard to beat. (Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $4.60 (as at 11am)
Race 7 (4:10pm) Sportsbet Bet With Mates BM78 Handicap 2000m
No.6 IRISH BUTTRERFLY – Damian Thornton (Barrier 9)
IRISH BUTTERFLY (9) heads to Ballarat on Sunday where he will contest a 2000m BM78 (Race 7, 4.10pm). He has drawn gate nine and Damien Thornton rides.
IRISH BUTTERFLY has been kept fresh since the Mount Gambier Cup where he was forced to make a long run and got into a bumping duel with another running approaching the home bend when beaten into fourth as favourite. He had a 1300m jump-out at Stawell between runs where he responded to riding late to take out the heat. These days, he seems to run consistently well no matter what grade he races in, but he does struggle to win by the same token. I loved his run at Sandown two back when whipping home strongly form the tail behind Upswing and if he can reproduce his performance of Ballarat Cup Day when he ran second to Typhoon Harmony in a very high-rating race then he will be right in the finish.(Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $3 (as at 10am)
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