Ballarat
Race 4 – Sawbay
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1400m – Barrier 1
Stable newcomer Sawbay makes her Australian debut in the twilight at Ballarat today. The three-year-old daughter of Ghibellines impressed at her only career start in New Zealand, running on well from the tail at this trip to grab second and hit the line strongly. Mitch Aitken has drawn the inside alley today and will find cover midfield or worse, allowing his filly to find her feet in the run.
The Prayer will punch forward from barrier three and search for the lead in the early parts, while Eye Of Epaulette and Lomenie can roll across from out wide and take up forward positions heading into the first bend. Chica Con Suerte sets up for a lovely run tucked in behind the speed from gate two, this galloper looking to go one better than two consecutive runner-up efforts. She’s fitter third-up and out to this distance looks to suit. This is a better quality maiden than she’s seen, but must be considered a winning hope. Into You was green on debut at Sandown but did her best work late when hitting the line hard to finish third. Any improvement from that run sees her right in the mix today. Concede each way hopes to Skelmorlie, who was runner-up on debut at Sale, and The Prayer, who should get every chance from the front.
Sawbay finds as tricky race to kick off her Australian career today, all signs showing she will be better over more ground next time out. ,She should get a soft run along the rails and present to run on in the home straight. With improvement to come, she can run top four without surprising.
Currently, Sawbay is a $9 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 6 – Rising Sun
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 3
Resuming galloper Rising Sun takes on benchmark-64 company at Ballarat this evening. The gelded son of Fighting Sun was an impressive debut winner at Horsham last preparation, before pulling up with issues post-race at Donald and subsequently sent to the paddock. The four-year-old has returned in good order, and jockey Mitch Aitken can take a forward position from a good draw today.
A few will look for the top here, with Rhapsody Chic to punch through from the inside alley, while Girl, Warchime and Miss Titeline will all be in the firing line in the early stages. Miss Titeline comes back in grade following good efforts at Stawell and Flemington. She is racing consistently, albeit finding it hard to win. No surprise to see her fill a top three spot again. Girl raced in stronger company last preparation and has jumped out well for today’s first-up run. If she gets the breaks from a tricky draw early, she’s in the mix here. Each way chance to Rhapsody Chic who is another resuming, having his first look at a dry track on raceday.
Rising Sun has the early speed to lob outside or just behind the speed and enjoy a nice run in transit. His debut run was good and we must be forgiving of the second-up performance. He’s forward enough to be competitive here and looks a solid each way chance.
Currently, Rising Sun is a $10 chance in the market.