Ballarat Cup Day lands this Saturday, and while the program is tricky enough to keep things interesting, I’m quietly confident it sets up well for us.
The Listed 2000m Ballarat Cup is a proper contest again this year, with genuine depth, multiple angles and a few runners who have been building nicely through the spring.
The track should play fair despite being rain-affected, the tempo looks honest in most races, and there’s enough exposed form across the meeting to make a solid case when you find the right horse.
Settle in because I’ve found enough angles to think this ‘Rat Cup Day could treat us very kindly.
MOSTLY FOR SHOW (4) crosses the border from South Australia in cracking form.
The Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained colt produced an eye-catching performance last start over 1200m at Morphettville where he sprouted wins to storm home from the tail to win narrowly.
He’ll appreciate the rise in distance as he did last preparation when hitting the line hard for a neck second in the Group 3 South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes.
A strong speed will aid his cause.
Selections: 4-2-1-7
| 4. Mostly For Show (6) J: Jake Toeroek 56.5kg 2×621 T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly |
LEGACY BAY (8) returned in good order last start over 1100m at Caulfield.
The Moody & Coleman-trained mare settled back before finding the line well to finish 1.85 lengths third to Gracie Rain.
She meets that horse 4.5kg better at the weights and will appreciate the rise in distance second-up.
They should run along which should see Luke Cartwright settle just off the speed before launching in the straight.
Selections: 8-2-4-6
| 8. Legacy Bay (4) J: Luke Cartwright 55.5kg 412×3 T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
HARRY’S YACHT (1) was magnificent when resuming last start at Bendigo with a 1.75 length victory.
The Harry Angel gelding enjoyed a nice run before producing a powerful turn of foot to easily put his rivals away that included subsequent Group 3 winner Proved.
He’s been kept fresh for this, which is how he races best.
The set weight conditions of the race see him at an advantage and he should enjoy a nice run on speed from the low draw.
Selections: 1-3-7-8
| 1. Harry’s Yacht (3) J: Ben Allen 59kg 417×1 T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
YES I KNOW (15) is a lightly raced gelding that looks to have plenty of upside.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained gelding returned in great order last start over 1500m at Cranbourne where he wasn’t suited by the race shape and was held up but still ran on well to finish 2.55 lengths fifth.
He’ll strip fitter and won his only previous second-up race.
They should run along in front which will aid her cause.
Selections: 15-10-8-9
| 15. Yes I Know (8) J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg 211×5 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
CODIGO (2) looks close to a win following two very good seconds to kick off this campaign.
The Moody & Coleman-trained gelding caught the eye first-up, flashing home to finish just under a length second at Pakenham.
He then put up a good fight but couldn’t get past Grand Larceny when finishing runner-up in a stronger race at Flemington.
Thanks to Emily Pozman’s 3kg claim, he’ll carry less weight than last start.
Selections: 2-7-8-4
| 2. Codigo (6) J: Emily Pozman 61.5kg 09×22 T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
ROYAL FLARE (2) impressed on debut over 1200m here with a strong win.
The Brendan McCarthy-trained gelding raced three-wide and on speed from the outside gate but still proved too strong on the heavy deck, dashing clear to win by 1.75 lengths.
He’s since been back to the trials where he turned in a pleasing piece of work to win.
Jamie Mott will give him every chance by going forward in the run.
Selections: 2-12-1-4
| 2. Royal Flare (6) J: Jamie Mott 58kg 1 T: Brendan McCarthy |
MAJOR SHARE (3) looks well placed here dropping back from Listed company.
The Adam Chambers-trained gelding improved second-up over 1000m at Flemington last start when showing plenty of fight on speed to finish a head second, defeating Rey Magnerio in the process.
He’ll strip fitter and won over a similar distance at Terang on New Years Day when having his last third-up start.
Tom Madden has an excellent association with the horse, having won six of 12 starts together and should land in a prominent position.
Selections: 3-9-10-12
| 3. Major Share (7) J: Tom Madden 58kg 52×42 T: Adam Chambers |
PARTY CRASHER (9) is a rising stayer who has built an impressive record of four wins from seven races.
One of those wins came last start for the Michael Hickmott-trained gelding over 2000m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day where he let down strongly to salute narrowly.
He’s been kept fresh for this but is undefeated over the distance.
There doesn’t look to be too many go forward horses engaged which should see Beau Mertens settle in the first three or pairs.
Selections: 9-2-1-8
| 9. Party Crasher (6) J: Beau Mertens 56kg 11×81 T: Michael Hickmott |
SAINT GEORGE (6) spent nearly a year in the paddock and returned recently as a gelding in the Listed Seymour Cup.
The Ciaron Maher-trained ghostly grey produced an amazing performance, storming home from the back through the ruck to finish a neck second.
He stepped up to 1800m last start on Melbourne Cup Day where he fought bravely but just couldn’t get past Kingswood, who he meets much better at the weights here, and finished a neck second.
He’s a previous third-up winner and will enjoy the rise in distance.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but he gets the services of Craig Williams.
Selections: 6-2-3-9
| 6. Saint George (14) J: Craig Williams 56kg 50×22 T: Ciaron Maher |
ROADCONE (14) improved second-up when stepping up to this distance at Caulfield.
The Moody & Coleman-trained gelding found the line well but was held up in the straight so should have finished closer than 1.41 lengths fourth.
He’ll strip fitter and bolted in by 4.5 lengths over this distance at Pakenham when third-up last preparation.
Luke Cartwright, who claims 2kg, should be able to land in a prominent position from the good gate.
Selections: 14-3-10-6
| 14. Roadcone (4) Scratched: | |||