Ballarat
Race 4 – Gijima Gal
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 4
Zululand filly Gijima Gal is second-up and fitter when she races on her home deck this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper had jumped out well before her debut at Ararat, where she was forced back from a wide gate on a day where making ground was the absolute exception to the rule. Mitch Aitken draws much kinder in barrier four today and can let his filly find her feet early, looking to settle one or two pairs back with cover in a small field.
Speed is just okay with Fair Game likely to press forward from the middle, while inside runners Fastina and Love ‘N’ Run can kick-up and hold their positions early. Donald jumpout winner Elphinstone can find cover just off the speed and present for her run in the home straight. This filly has been runner-up in four of her six career starts, one of those behind Group-2 winner Skybird at this track and trip. That’s clearly the strongest form here and her recent jumpout suggests she’s forward enough to win this. Fair Game looks the only realistic danger, following a sound debut at Pakenham a fortnight ago. She was doing her best work late and up to 1200-metres looks to suit. Strong each way claims. Concede place hopes to Mad Mission and Love ‘N’ Run who were both good in their respective first-up efforts.
Gijima Gal will be better for the raceday experience on debut at Ararat and some improvement is expected from a softer today. She’ll lob in the second half of the field and hit the line late, no surprise to see her sneak into the top four.
Currently, Gijima Gal is a $9 chance in the market.