Ballarat
Race 2 – Im Bartholomew
Jockey – Jye McNeil
1000m – Barrier 10
Four-year-old debutant Im Bartholomew kicks off his racing career on home soil over 1000-metres this afternoon. The gelded son of Complacent has three jumpouts under his belt this time in, settling back and hitting the line nicely at his latest at Ararat. Jockey Jye McNeil rides from the outside gate in a field of ten and can let his galloper settle where comfortable, looking for cover early before finishing the race off late in the piece.
Speed is unclear early, with five of the ten runners making their first appearance at the races here. Of the raced, Cosmic Ride was runner-up in Listed grade on debut in Adelaide before well held in the VOBIS Showdown at Caulfield next time out. She was asked to win a recent Cranbourne trial and looks ready to go first-up. Sure to be around the mark. Merchant Of Greece comes across the Tasman to make his debut, having shown speed when easily winning his most recent trial. He can use the inside to hold a forward position in the run and be in this for a long way. Damehood has been the subject of strong market support, held together at his most recent trial at Ararat. Drawn for a lovely run in gate three and can make her presence felt in this. Tophet next best, having been okay on debut behind a dominant Reserve Bank in June.
Im Bartholomew is likely to find the 1000-metre trip too sharp today, improving next start over more ground. He’ll get his chance to run on in the home straight, but with the rail out nine metres, that’s going to be a difficult task throughout the card. Looking for him to warm up late.
Currently, Im Bartholomew is a $31 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 6 – Sawbay
Jockey – Harry Coffey
1500m – Barrier 11
Talented galloper Sawbay is first-up on her home deck at 1500-metres this afternoon. The four-year-old daughter of Ghibellines was okay at her Australian debut here in February, before circling the field and powering home to win when up in trip to 1900-metres next time out. She resumes today from an enforced layoff, jockey Harry Coffey to drift back from the outside gate and let his galloper settle with cover throughout the run.
Speed looks just okay early, with Fields Of Courage and Procurable to roll forward from the middle of the line, while expect Didn’t Miss Many and and Flashlight to be thereabouts from wider out when runners find their positions. Open affair. Macy Moon made good late ground here a fortnight ago and gets an extra 100-metres today. She’s won her only other second-up attempt and can settle closer to the speed today. One of the main chances. Hokkaido wasn’t far away in the same race and draws the inside here. Will need luck to get out and chasing, but in with an each way chance. So too Fields Of Courage, who was posted wide and did a good job to stick on in that same race. Drawn for a better run today. Jackie’s Maid won on debut in March before a sound effort behind Coco Sun next time out. She was okay at Geelong first-up this time in and can improve today. Others with claims in a tough race.
Sawbay finds a suitable race to kick-off her preparation today, improving later in her campaign over more ground. She can settle back in the field and find clear air to run on in the home straight, but is likely to find a few of these too sharp at this point. Look for her to get warm late.
Currently, Sawbay is a $51 chance in the market.