A capacity field containing some of the country’s best stayers has confirmed for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2400m) and there’s plenty of value to be found in betting as a result. Lucky For All failed to fire last time out but is the $4 favourite in betting and will carry only 54kgs. The Tavistock gelding resumed in September for a credible third over a mile at Moonee Valley before hitting the line well for second in an 1800m race at Caulfield. His win when getting out to 2000m third-up was outstanding, but he was unable to overcome his saddle slipping at the start of his most-recent effort at Flemington and returned a flat performance to finish sixth. Breeding suggests that he’ll only improve at a mile and a half and with even luck in transit, he can fight out the finish of the Ballarat Cup. Another Coldie faces a step up in class, but he is also seeking a third-consecutive win and is worth consideration in Ballarat Cup betting at $6.50. The Snitzel entire has continued an impressive rise through the grades this time and finished a credible fourth in the Bairnsdale Cup (1600m) on October 7th before returning to the winner’s stall in the Horsham Cup (1800m) a fortnight later. His performance and dominant win in the Kyneton Cup (2000m) last time out was particularly impressive and a repeat of that performance would see him hard to beat once more. This will be Another Coldie’s first tilt at a mile and a half, but he can go straight to the lead from the rails draw and make all his own luck on-pace. Life Less Ordinary ($7.50) has recorded some pleasing results this time and is another horse that is rock-hard fit for his run in the Ballarat Cup. The seven-year-old ran on to finish third in the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) three starts back before hitting the line well to place fifth in the Group 1 Kennedy Mile on Derby Day. His finished an agonizingly-close second behind Kaonic in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Cup Day most recently and is cut out for the mile and a half on Saturday. Luvaluva ($8) and Kiwia ($9) are the only other horses currently available at Ballarat Cup odds of less-than $10, while there’s a case to be made for several horses at longer quotes including the consistent Lord Fandango ($12), Mask Of Time ($18) and Master Zephyr ($31).
