Fire up your Thursday punting with our Ballarat best bets, highlighting the key runners to help you continue the week the right way!
RISING TOP NINE (4) should find this a touch easier after going around at the midweeks in both starts this campaign.
He was far from disgraced running sixth at Sandown last start and it’s worth keeping in mind he was up sharply to 1400m after debuting over 1100m at Pakenham the run prior.
Drawn a soft gate with John Allen getting a crack in the saddle now, he should be much better for that most recent run with growing fitness on his side.
| 4. Rising Nine Top (4) J: John Allen 58kg 66xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last preparation second last of 7 at Sandown-Lakeside 2yo Hcp April 6 over 1400m, 5 len behind Blind Raise carrying 56.5kg at $31. On debut sixth of 12 at Pakenham 2yo Mdn-Sw March 19 over 1100m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Chapados carrying 58kg at $18. Expected to improve this time in. | |||
SALUDAR (2) should find this drop back in class to his liking after resuming at Sandown last month.
The son to Written Tycoon was a little green when it mattered most, leaving Graheme Begg no option but to apply the blinkers.
With some decent trials leading into his return and a runner-up effort last time in work at Sandown to his name, he looks the clear favourite for a reason.
| 2. Saludar (6) J: Jordan Childs 59.5kg 42×5T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months 5th of 10 at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Mdn-Sw on July 22 over 1200m, slow going 5 len behind French Accord carrying 58kg at $2.10. Previously second-up 2nd of 8 at Sandown-Hillside Mdn-Sw on January 28 over 1300m, 1.0 len behind Loud Charlie carrying 58kg at $6. Lightly raced and should improve, go close. | |||
FAST ‘N’ INZAINE (3) is a good horse worthy of another chance.
Ciaron Maher’s mare blew the start on return here over 100m shorter last month, but still fought on well to run past a couple after being caught three-wide throughout.
She flashed some serious potential winning fresh at Sandown last time in work and is expected to be right there in the finish from the soft gate, providing she handles the extra weight.
| 3. Fast ‘N’ Inzaine (5) J: John Allen 62.5kg x16x5T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months 5th of 10 at this track Bm62 on July 14 over 1000m, 2 len behind Whitson with 57.5kg at $17. Previously second-up ran second last of 7 at Caulfield Heath 3yo F Bm64 on February 18 over 1200m, 5 len behind Fundamental Nature with 59kg at $8. Fitter and a solid winning chance. | |||
AHAB (4) likes to go forward and race on the speed, so the wide gate may not be too much of a problem if he doesn’t spend too many petrol tickets shuffling across.
The Tindale-trained gelding doesn’t have the best of strike rates across his 41 starts, but he has found a real purple patch of form recently to grab a win and a pair of placings here on the syntho.
| 4. Ahab (9) J: Teo Nugent 56.5kg 20122T: Ann-Jeanette Tindale | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently 2nd of 11 at this track Bm56 on July 27 over 2200m, nose behind Bismarck with 60kg at $3.80. The race before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 at this track Bm66 on July 14 over 2100m, 1.75 len behind Dundonald carrying 56kg at $8.50. Will take plenty of beating. | |||