Ballarat
Race 5 – Moscow Red
Jockey – Celine Gaudray
1600m – Barrier 6
Road To Rock mare Moscow Red comes back in grade for today’s mile contest at Ballarat. The eleven-year-old galloper has been racing well this preparation, though held up and never getting a crack at them from the back at Warrnambool ten days ago in a day to forget. Jockey Celine Gaudray picks up the ride and can look to settle more forward in the run today, drawing a middle gate in a field of twelve.
No obvious leader in this, but expect Overflow Miss and Vino Grande to hold their positions from low draw early, while Catching Stars and Lochdown may elect to roll forward from wider out on the track. Even affair. The race sets up well for Miss Bariloche, who will enjoy a soft trail from gate three throughout. She was strong at the end of 1400-metres off a freshen-up and out to this trip today suits. One of the main contenders. Rule Of Time is six weeks between runs following a solid effort in stronger grade at Geelong last time out. Her win the start prior is good enough to go close here. Each way chances to Vino Grande, who didn’t have much luck at Flemington last start, and Jimbrook, who was a strong maiden winner seven weeks ago. Others with minor claims.
Moscow Red finds herself on a good surface today, but does draw for a lovely run in transit. She’ll be better suited on a track with more give – hopefully next time out – but back to this grade can be competitive. Needs to jump cleanly and settle with runners behind her.
Currently, Moscow Red is a $14 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 6 – Lupine
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 5
Tivaci gelding Lupine stays at a mile second-up on his home deck this afternoon. The four-year-old galloper was just okay when resuming at Donald three weeks ago, rolling forward after being caught wide early and quickly under pressure in the home straight. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from barrier five in a big field and will look to find cover midfield or worse this time, letting his gelding finish off in the latter stages of the race.
Early speed battle looks genuine enough with Loose On Gin and Dashing Rebel to roll forward and hold their positions from their respective low draws, while Lord Goldberg and Mulga Lil may have a look for the top early from towards the outside. Into You draws poorly here but clearly brings the strongest form into the race. She ran on gamely to be beaten just two lengths in the Gold Nugget here a fortnight ago, finishing among city-performed horses. Cops a whack at the weights but looks hardest to beat in this. Prospective jumper Lord Goldberg resumes today, having finished within two lengths of Shock ‘Em Ova at Caulfield when first-up last time in. A repeat effort sees him in the mix here. Each way chances to Loose On Gin, who should get every chance from up near the speed, and Fine Rebel, who is another back in grade this afternoon.
Lupine will be better suited out in trip next start, needing to settle in the run today to have any chance of running on and collecting a cheque. His jumpouts prior to the first-up effort were sound, and we should expect a better performance today, with an eye to 2000-metres next time out.
Currently, Lupine is a $27 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 9 – Flying Celica
Jockey – Harry Coffey
1400m – Barrier 10
Last start maiden winner Flying Celica comes back to 1400-metres on her home track today. The four-year-old daughter of Toronado just missed at this distance at Mildura two starts back, before a strong victory out to a mile eight weeks ago at Echuca. Jockey Harry Coffey keeps the ride this afternoon and will find himself in the second half of the field from a wide gate early, looking to run on in the best part of the track late in the day.
Macy Moon leaves from out wide on the track but is likely to push forward and look for the lead early, while Epice Dieu and Delivering wont be far away in trailing positions from soft draws. Delivering always looked in control when stalking the speed and winning at Cranbourne a fortnight ago, and draws for a similar run in this. Only needs a repeat effort to prove hard to beat again. Fields Of Courage ran on strongly to record an excellent debut win at Sandown five weeks ago, knuckling down late to overhaul Athanatos. That galloper has been a runner-up at Flemington subsequently. Rises sharply in grade but looks to have ability. Chance. A host of runners with each way claims, most notably Fayetta, who gets blinkers for the first time, and Fly Lie, who could be hard to hold out late if the race is run at a genuine tempo.
Flying Celica will be better next start over more ground, but should get her chance to wind up and run on late today. Her prior effort at this trip was solid, and no surprise to see her finish in the first half of the field today, with an eye to next start.
Currently, Flying Celica is a $31 chance in the market.