Ballarat Harness Preview – Thursday, January 8

TASTE IT (1) went amiss last start, but prior to that she was racing well when doing everything right. She should have enough gate speed to hold a forward position, where she is best suited, and finds a good race here to get back into the winner’s circle.

LINE UP JACQUIE (12) is racing better than her form suggests. She is running good times but has an awkward barrier to contend with.

SIR CANDY CLOUD (4) is second up for Malcolm Bull here in Victoria. He had no luck but hit the line well in his Victorian debut and will improve from that run.

TEX GOES BANG (5) is a consistent performer who should be competitive in this field. 

NORMANS GIRL (7) did it tough last start at Melton and still fought on well to finish second in a race featuring tougher and more established opposition. Despite drawing a tricky barrier, she still looks the one to beat in this maiden.

WORTH THE EXTRA (9) is a first starter but was good in a trial at Melton.

FIVE CENT (5) hit the line well at his last start and has since been freshened up.

MY ULTIMATE LUIGI (4) can be a bit naughty and his manners have cost him in the past. If he does everything right, he has the ability to be a winning chance in this field. 

CALDERS REVENGE (6) has finished second at her past four starts. Her own times have been around two seconds better than the other runners in this field with recent exposed form, and she looks well placed here.

CHOCOLISCIOUS (10) is a first starter and a seven-year-old, but he won a trial well in November.

WALKING ON WATER (1) is a lightly raced, pacing-bred trotter. She is still learning and improving with each start and has a good barrier to utilise here.

TROTTENEM MAGIC (3) has had her manners cost her in a lightly raced career, however she does look to have the scope to break her maiden soon. 

In quite an even field that often races against each other, MONSIEUR FLAMEL (9) maps well to get into a good position here. His times have been strong and he has won three of his past five starts.

YANKEE GAMBLER (5) is a tough and versatile runner who can make his own luck.

FOREGONE CONCLUSION (7) has been racing competitively and consistently but doesn’t map well from barrier seven.

KARUMA KEV (10) is a smart performer, but barrier ten and being second-up may prove too difficult. 

QUIRKY CHARACTER (9) took a big jump in class to race against some smart performers at Melton last week and hit the line well to finish fourth. Back in a suitable grade here, he looks hard to beat.

MIELICKI (2) was a strong winner at Maryborough on Sunday and will be looking to go back-to-back. From barrier two, he should be able to find a forward position.

BUSLIN BRODY (6) is a great front runner but may not find the top here. He has been racing well and, with the right run, is a winning chance.

SEBASTIANS WAITING (8) is a smart trotter in career-best form. He is a very big horse and is probably not suited to being stuck on the fence at Ballarat. If he can find a position off the fence, he will be right in the finish.

TOO THE MAX (2) is a consistent horse who has finished in the top three at his past five starts. He is always hitting the line well and should find a forward position from barrier two.

BLACKINDEED (7) is a smart mare who races best when in front. She is unlikely to find that position here, but she has a good sprint and should be right in the finish.

SHIRALEE (1) was a good winner last start after sustaining a long three-wide run and gets a much better trip here from barrier one.

CARUSO STAR (4) will need luck, but he is racing well enough to be very competitive.

AT THE DISTANCE (6) has been out of the winner’s circle for a few months but continues to perform well with even a touch of luck. He is a smart runner who may need to make his own luck from the barrier, but he is good enough to do that.

FLING IT RAINBOW (4) has good gate speed and maps well in this field after leading throughout to win last start.

JUST ABIT DUSTY (7) is a smart, high-speed trotter, but his manners can let him down. He may get back in the run, however if he trots well throughout he will be flashing home.

NOBLE COUNT (10) has ability but also got it wrong with his manners last start. He will need luck from the barrier, but is a winning chance if he does everything right.

KIMCHI (9) steps out for his 100th career start here. He should map midfield from the barrier and is a great swooper who will be flashing home late.

BLISSFULL LILLY (1) has good recent sectional times and comes up with the ace barrier, along with the gate speed to take advantage of it.

THE MAJORS GIRL (4) has the gate speed to map into a good forward position and make the most of it.

FREAK OUT (8) will need luck from the barrier but is a place chance here.