With metropolitan racing on both Friday (Australia Day) and Saturday this weekend, the midweek cards are lacking a bit of quality. Rather than preview a single meeting, we’ve taken a look at the Ballarat and Pinjarra cards and picked out the best betting races from each.
BALLARAT & PINJARRA BEST BETS
BALLARAT
Race 2
Interested in the two first-starters here. This is only a small field but from what we’ve seen of the other three horses, there doesn’t look to be a great deal of competition. OVER AND ABOVE is on debut for the Hawkes stable, and jumped out very nicely just over a week ago. He went to the line under a hold, eventually finishing 2nd to Rock N Gold, who came out and won in Listed grade on the weekend. That looks a very good form line for a maiden at Ballarat on a Wednesday. Having a good crack at it at $2.35 and saving on the Danny O’Brien first-starter SUMMER SHAM.
TIP: Over And Above
Race 3
Two I’m interested in here, too. ROOBEENA ran 2nd in Group 3 company on debut during the Flemington carnival back in November, and resumes from a break here to tackle a maiden. Significant drop in class, has won a jumpout leading into today’s race, and draws gate 1. Looks a nice race for him. Has already drifted to $2.75 and wouldn’t be surprised to see us get a better price – keep an eye on betting. Also very keen to have something on BEN HERCULES, who is on debut from the Lindsay Park stable. Hasn’t been as impressive at the jumpouts as some others, but certainly didn’t perform poorly. This is Craig Williams’ only ride for the day. I doubt Williams would be going to Ballarat on a Wednesday night to ride one horse if it wasn’t any good. $7 available and suspect it will start shorter.
TIP: Roobeena / Ben Hercules EW
Race 4
DANBANA is another horse on debut that’s jumped out very nicely recently. Settled midfield and sliced through the field approaching the turn before going to the line strongly to hold off the second horse. $4 still available. SPIRIT OF PHOENIX is first up from a long spell here and resumes with the blinkers on for the first time. Has trialled well and looks ready for the 1400m first up at $6. BELICHICK another to keep safe on debut for Danny O’Brien and Damien Oliver. This is Oliver’s only ride of the day so I’ll definitely be saving on it.
TIP: Danbana
Race 5
Quite keen on BIG SUR to upset the favourite here and I’m locking in the $4.60 on offer. This horse ran well first up at Geelong and didn’t get much luck at all, held up from the 200m-50m, eventually finishing 4th beaten 2.25L. His first up record is poor (three starts, no placings), but his second up record is good (two starts, one win), so the fact he ran so promisingly first up suggests he should be spot on to go very close second up today.
TIP: Big Sur
Race 6
DIAMOND SPINNER looks a nice value play here at $11. She’s only won three of her 24 starts, but two of those have come third up from a spell. She ran well at Stawell last start to run 2nd despite working hard in the run, and she should be right at her peak here. Her third up record is four starts for two wins and a placing, and she’s had two starts at this track and distance for a win and a 2nd. Draws well and I like the jockey booking with Jordan Childs retaining the ride. Happy to have an each way play on her.
TIP: Diamond Spinner EW
PINJARRA
Race 6
Two at nice odds here worth having something on. JUST A FLUKE is first up from a spell here. Back in March of last year, the horse won over this track and distance firs tup from a spell in convincing fashion, winning by 2.5L. Granted, it was maiden grade, but the 1000m a Pinjarra is a straight track and winning so well over the course is a big plus. Not a bad price at $7. DIAMOND PRINCESS is also first up from a spell. She;s got one win and one placing from three starts when fresh, and she’s also a winner at her only start at the track and distance. First start for the new stable today and could go well at $11. PUCK SHAPESHIFTER has had very good support and is worth keeping safe. ON THE TURPS also a chance.
TIP: Just A Fluke EW / Diamond Princess EW
Race 7
Interested in having something small on BUSHFIRE BLONDE here, who looks suited third up and up to 1400m here. Her two starts back from a spell have only been fair, and she’s been a bit dour, but the step up in distance here is just what she needs. Last prep she won third up over 1400m, so with those conditions and a good barrier draw she should be right in this at $4.60. ROUGHEAD, OUTER DETENTION and OUTER DETENTION all chances in a good race.
TIP: Bushfire Blonde
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