Ballarat
Race 2 – George The Giant
Jockey – Damien Thornton
1400m – Barrier 8
Four-year-old gelding George The Giant has just his third career start this afternoon when he gets out to 1400-metres on his home track. The son of Sports Edition was put away following his debut run in September and was well beaten fresh at Warrnambool fresh a fortnight ago. This is his first attempt racing second-up and natural improvement should see a more competitive performance as he presents fitter today. There isn’t an obvious speed influence in this so Damien Thornton has the opportunity to roll forward from a wide draw and put his mount into the race, ideally sitting outside the leader. The market has Bob The Horse on top but he’s been placed ten times from sixteen runs without winning. Can’t trust him to win but he’ll be around the mark. Patrick Payne’s first-starter Secret Location was given a ride at a recent jumpout and looks ready to perform at the races. It’s not often that stable push their runners in a trial but he was pushed right to the line and will be fit enough to feature here. Tundra is a likely improver. He was good in Adelaide on debut in June before having issues first-up in Victoria. George The Giant will be all the better for his first-up run and we should see a better run out to 1400-metres today. He can sneak into the prizemoney.
Currently, George The Giant is a $23 chance in the market.
Race 2 – War Service
Jockey – Josh Cartwright
1400m – Barrier 7
Merchant Navy gelding War Service heads to the races second-up for the first time today, the stable keen to see improvement from his run here two weeks ago. He raced wide and dropped out in the home straight when fresh but has gained vital race fitness and a more competitive effort is expected out to 1400-metres. Jockey Josh Cartwright will let his three-year-old roll forward and find a position in the front half of the field, hoping to be in it for longer this time around. The market has Bob The Horse on top but he’s been placed ten times from sixteen runs without winning. Can’t trust him to win but he’ll be around the mark. Patrick Payne’s first-starter Secret Location was given a ride at a recent jumpout and looks ready to perform at the races. It’s not often that stable push their runners in a trial but he was pushed right to the line and will be fit enough to feature here. Tundra is a likely improver. He was good in Adelaide on debut in June before having issues first-up in Victoria. Conceding a chance to Sportsbeat who finds an easier race than his last start. War Service will be better suited over further ground and today is another opportunity to build fitness and learn what racedays are all about. He can pick up a cheque.
Currently, War Service is an $18 chance in the market.
Race 5 – Brungle Raider
Jockey – Maddie Lloyd
1600m – Barrier 9
Brungle Raider takes another step back in trip as he tries to rediscover his winning form of last spring. The gelded son of Rebel Raider put back-to-back wins together in November but has been soundly beaten in three subsequent runs. He easily won his maiden over this mile trip at Swan Hill and is third-up and nearing peak fitness for today’s assignment on his home track. Jockey Maddie Lloyd will be positive from the gates, looking for a forward position in the long run to the first bend. Gold Logie is drawn inside the Dwyer runner and will go forward, paving the way for Lloyd to follow. Pireonti will hold its spot from an inside draw and will receive the run of the race. She won her maiden impressively last start and the jump to this grade does not look beyond her. Boom Boom Sweet is on the quick back-up from Ararat on Friday after finishing runner-up in a stronger race. He’s in well at the weights considering and rarely puts in a bad one. Jaykayann and Dennis Choux both have claims in an open race, and Denim Wars will be running on late. If he brings anything near his best, Brungle Raider is in this and a top-three finish would not surprise.
Currently, Brungle Raider is a $17 chance in the market.
Race 5 – Furioso
Jockey – Makisha Salter
1600m – Barrier 11
Jumping prospect Furioso finds a suitable race to kick-off his campaign over a mile today. The five-year-old gelding will use today’s run as a fitness builder as he steps up in trip and tackles the jumping season ahead. Apprentice jockey Makisha Salter takes 4kg off his back and will just be looking to hit the line nicely and get around safely. Gold Logie and Pireonti will go forward in this, the latter will hold its spot from an inside draw and will likely receive the run of the race. She won her maiden impressively last start and the jump to this grade does not look beyond her. Boom Boom Sweet is on the quick back-up from Ararat on Friday after finishing runner-up in a stronger race. He’s in well at the weights considering and rarely puts in a bad one. Jaykayann and Dennis Choux both have claims in an open race, and Denim Wars will be running on late. The Dwyer stablemate Brungle Raider will be up the front early and can feature if he rediscovers his spring form. Furioso will take great benefit out of today’s run and find a race out past 2000-metres at his next go.
Currently, Furioso is a $34 chance in the market.
Race 5 – Riding High
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
1600m – Barrier 3
Steeplechaser Riding High is first-up this afternoon as he starts his raceday preparations for the upcoming jumps season. The nine-year-old veteran has placed just once from nine fresh runs and there is little expectation to add to that tally on his home track today. He was beaten sixteen lengths at his last first-up appearance but improved sharply second up to run fourth in the Towong Cup over this distance. Jaylah Kennedy can let her gelding find his feet from an inside draw and finish the race off nicely, building fitness for his next start over more ground. Gold Logie and Pireonti will go forward in this, the latter will hold its spot from an inside draw and will likely receive the run of the race. She won her maiden impressively last start and the jump to this grade does not look beyond her. Boom Boom Sweet is on the quick back-up from Ararat on Friday after finishing runner-up in a stronger race. He’s in well at the weights considering and rarely puts in a bad one. Jaykayann and Dennis Choux both have claims in an open race, and Denim Wars will be running on late. The Dwyer stablemate Brungle Raider will be up the front early and can feature if he rediscovers his spring form. Riding High has found a suitable race to begin his jumping campaign and will be at his peak later in his preparation.
Currently, Riding High is a $41 chance in the market.