The Ballarat Cup meeting takes center stage in Victoria today and we have a huge 10 race program to get through.
We've got betting tips for every race on the card as well as a full preview for the Cup!
2016 Ballarat Cup Day Betting Tips
Race 1 - Sam Miranda Mares BM78 Handicap 1200m
Think ENTRANCING can turn the tables on Cheeky Babe here with the 2.5kg weight swing. There wasn't much between them last start and while Cheeky babe looks progressive the weight might be enough for Entrancing to hold her out. SEA SPRAY looks the clear value in the race. On her day she is very smart and her first up run suggests she has returned in good order. Double figure odds looks overs.
Tip: Entrancing
Race 2 - City of Ballarat Tonks Plate 1200m
BELIEVE YOURSELF looks the key horse in this race and the relative unknown having her first run back in Australia after racing in Singapore. If she runs up to her best she should be very competitive here. All five of her career wins have come first up from a spell and she trialled well leading into this.
Tip: Believe Yourself
Race 3 - Vobis Gold Eureka Concrete 1400m
Tough race where a number of these could win and it could come down to which horse brings its best form on the day. URBAN RULER looks like it could win again after winning two starts from three this prep. Has had a short let-up and resumes off a 56 day break. Undefeated fresh but wouldn't want it any shorter in the market.
Tip: Urban Ruler
Race 4 - Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic 1000m
Anyone's guess in this race but the form behind Madeenaty should see AMERICAN GENIUS very hard to beat here. The race experience will hold him in good stead, gets blinkers on first time and will take a good one to beat him. The interesting runner for mine is the Snowden-trained Algorithm. They don't bring horses to Melbourne if they've got no chance so he could be a good roughie at $12.
Tip: American Genius
Race 5 - SUEZ McKellar Mile 1600m
Looks a great race for GALAXY RAIDER who comes off a 6 length win at Sale. Previous to that he was unlucky not to win at Pakenham and if he gets clear running here he should be winning again. Big watch on Dollar For Dollar for Tony McEvoy who won his maiden by over 5 lengths and returns for the first time since.
Tip: Galaxy Raider
Race 6 - Thomas Jewellers BM70 Handicap 1100m
Two that interest me here. MA DEUCE is the best horse in the race and his record suggests that. He's won three of his four starts and returns from a lengthy spell here. Has to lump the 61kg which is the query but his ability may just get him across the line first. PUNT CLUB also resumes from a spell and ended last prep with a win in BM64 grade. Resumes in BM 70 grade here but his trial was very nice so he could be the danger at$7.
Tip: Ma Deuce
Race 7 - Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic 1100m
SPEEDEOR is the best bet of the day and will start shorter than the $2.90 available. We were on him last start when he won down the Flemington straight and that win really impressed me. If he can take a nice sit from barrier 9 he will be finishing off hard.
Tip: Speedeor (best bet)
The feature of the day and I've narrowed it down to 6, and you can guarantee Darren Weir will have his horses tuned up for this as it's his local Cup.
LIDARI is going well and should be ready to win at his fifth run back from a spell. He's been around the mark but with the step up to 2200m he should stand a real chance in this despite the wide draw.
TAIYOO comes off a win in the Kyneton Cup with 60kg and seems to have rediscovered his form. Drops to 58.5kg and should slot in somewhere in midfield. He's another Weir runner and is around 15/1.
LORD VAN PERCY is the third of Weir's runners and comes into this at his third run back from a spell, which is significant as he's won three of his four races when third up. Has won over 2800m in the UK so the distance is no problem. Expect a big run from him.
NOZOMI is one of two good chances for Lee and Anthony Freedman. Put in a good run over 2000m at Flemington last start and gets a significant drop in weight for this. COOL CHAP is the other Freedman runner and he was a bit plain last start but may have felt the firm Flemington track. His form previous to that was very good and the step up to 2200m should suit him. I'd expect him to lead or box seat from barrier 3 and a win wouldn't surprise.
SCHERZOSO finished 2 lengths behind Cool Chap at his last start but gets a huge drop in weight here and a swing of 3.5kg on the Freedman horse. He is another that seems to peak at his third run back from a spell so he looks a winning chance if he has any luck from barrier 16.
Expecting Weir to take it out but with which horse I'm not sure. Lidari looks ready to peak, as do Scherzoso and Lord Van Percy.
1st LIDARI
2nd SCHERZOSO
3rd LORD VAN PERCY
4th COOL CHAP
Race 9 - Hertz BM78 Handicap 2300m
CHARLEVOIX is the best horse in the race and had no hope in a leader dominated race first up over an unsuitable distance. Straight up to 2300m is a slight query but he is an out and out stayer and should find his best at this trip. The Weir pair of I'll Fly Away and Shikapour are the big dangers, while Tears Of Joy is in good form around this trip.
Tip: Charlevoix
Race 10 - Isuzu BM84 Handicap 1400m
Looks a nice race for the talented DUIBIO who comes into this second up from a spell. First up he charged hom over 1100m which is short of his best and if he brings his best form into this he will be winning. Act Of Valour could be the biggest threat.
Tip: Duibio
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
