Ballarat
Race 2 – Silence Please
Jockey – Josh Cartwright
1200m – Barrier 9
Three-year-old debutant Silence Please begins his racing career with a suitable assignment on his home track. The gelded son of So You Think is progressing nicely in his preparation, jumping out soundly at Horsham a fortnight ago and ready to experience the rigours of raceday. The six-furlong trip will prove short of his best but the stable are keen to see him wind up and finish the race off strongly from the second half of the field. Jockey Josh Cartwright won’t bustle his mount early, rather letting him find his feet and settle towards the rear from a wide alley. The speed battle looks keen early with Magnetic Tycoon, Subliminal and World Action all drawing low and prepared to roll forward. Subliminal was very good when first-up at this track three weeks ago. She was only beaten a neck on that occasion with a further six-lengths to the third-placed runner. Any natural improvement from that run sees her very hard to beat in this. Ferlazzo was brave off a wide run at her only spring start. She’s first-up here on the back of a pair of impressive jumpouts and looks ready to run well. Linda Meech will kick-up on World Action from her inside draw and if she gets her own way in front will be in this for a long way. Concede each way chances to Magnetic Tycoon and Timber Princess. Silence Please will likely find a few of these too sharp at the sprint trip today. He will be better suited up in distance next time out but look for him to be running through the line strongly late.
Currently, Silence Please is a $15 chance in the market.
Race 4 – Brung King
Jockey – John Allen
1400m – Barrier 5
Promising galloper Brung King is first-up in his second preparation today on the back of encouraging jumpouts at Ballarat and Horsham. The three-year-old son of Crackerjack King was very good at both runs in his first campaign, narrowly beaten at Geelong on debut before running third behind Group One performer High Approach. Jockey John Allen has drawn ideally here and can slot in behind the speed from gate five. Archer County will boot through from an inside draw and look to hold the lead while Warchime and Valspar will roll forward in the early parts. Warchime has run well both starts at this track and will get a nice run if he can find a spot outside Archer County. He’ll be in it for a long way. Valspar improved second-up in town after getting all the favours in the run. That’s good form for this race. Starianne and Fields Of Jenni were both very good last start and present fitter second-up with an each way chance. Brung King goes on top here on the strength of his runs in the spring. Recent jumpouts suggest he’s ready to perform first-up on his home deck and from a good draw will be right there in the finish. A genuine winning hope.
Currently, Brung King is a $4.20 chance in the market.
Race 6 – George The Giant
Jockey – Josh Cartwright
1600m – Barrier 8
Last start maiden winner George The Giant steps out to a mile today looking to go back-to back while his confidence is high. The gelded son of Sports Edition dead-heated for first in a moderate maiden at Mornington last start from a less-than-ideal position in the run. He was cluttered up behind the leading pair there and is much better suited out in front and allowed to bowl along. Josh Cartwright rode him on that occasion and will know the horse better this time around when he jumps from the outside gate. Cartwright has a long run to the first bend to cross over and sit outside either Elskling or Lottaroc who will also push forward from middle draws. The former was solid on-speed at this track last start and with blinkers added today will give a good sight from the front. Lady Court pulled up with post-race issues after running in stronger grade at Sandown last start. That was her first run in almost a year and she will be better for it today. She was still only beaten four lengths there and the form has been franked by Seeking Glory since. Patrick won his maiden three starts back then was immediately thrown in the deep end in Group Two company next time out. He was better back in grade last start and is a winning hope today. George The Giant has improved with every run this preparation and will continue to do so as he races over more ground. He will sit up on speed and grind away but his lack of zip might find him wanting late in this. A top four hope if he gets the right run.
Currently, George The Giant is a $16 chance in the market.
Race 8 – Our Destrier
Jockey – Codi Jordan
2000m – Barrier 4
Six-year-old gelding Our Destrier finds a nice race out to 2000-metres at Ballarat today. The gelded son of Zoustar has run well in stronger grade this preparation and looks ready for the rise in trip in this company. Apprentice Codi Jordan claims 2kg of his back and will be high on confidence after riding back-to-back winners this week. The young hoop can push forward from a good draw and sit outside likely leader Zippity Zoustar. The Jamie Edwards galloper won his maiden comfortably two starts back then was solid in a good form race last time out. First try at 2000-metres but will prove hard to catch if given an easy time in front. Abreed is racing consistently and will again be thereabouts on his home track. The stable have hit a purple patch of form and this gelding looks close to an elusive win. Sound Of Canons debuts for the Douglas camp and was running in much stronger company in New South Wales. If he’s screwed down first-up he’s right in contention. Dwyer’s gelding comes in well after Jordan’s claim and can enjoy an ideal run outside the speed here. He’s fit and sound and an appearance in the winner’s stall will come as no shock today. Right in the mix.
Currently, Our Destrier is a $5 chance in the market.
Race 8 – Riding High
Jockey – Tahlia Hope
2000m – Barrier 6
Steeplechaser Riding High continues to build fitness for the jumps season when he rolls around in the last at Ballarat today. The nine-year-old son of Raise The Flag showed good improvement at his last run and was excellent in a steeple trial at Warrnambool last week. 2000-metres will be too short for him again today and jockey Tahlia Hope can work him through his gears late in the contest from back in the field. Stablemate Our Destrier presents as a winning hope in this race after running well at shorter distances in stronger grade. He is drawn to get all the favours outside the lead and will find himself in the thick of things here. Zippity Zoustar won his maiden comfortably two starts back then was solid in a good form race last time out. He’ll roll forward at his first try at 2000-metres but will prove hard to catch if given an easy time in front. Abreed is racing consistently and will again be thereabouts on his home track. The stable have hit a purple patch of form and this gelding looks close to an elusive win. Sound Of Canons debuts for the Douglas camp and was running in much stronger company in New South Wales. If he’s screwed down first-up he’s right in contention. Riding High will take benefit from the run today but has bigger targets in mind later in his campaign. The stable will be happy to have him safely back in his box tonight.
Currently, Riding High is a $71 chance in the market.