Ballarat Harness Preview – Thursday, January 29

OVERVIEW: CASTLES IN THE SKY (3) spaced her rivals last start at Mount Gambier and looks well placed to go on with it here. She performs best when able to map forward, which she should do again from barrier three, and she brings both gate speed and winning confidence. GOLDEN SKIES (11) and SCAR (10) are both racing well and bring the best recent sectional times into this race. They will need to overcome tricky outside draws, but both are good enough to feature with the right run. ONAWINGANDAPRAYER (1) is first up in Victoria for trainer Ricky Ryan and may appreciate the change in scenery. With the ace draw, she could take advantage and be competitive. 

SELECTIONS: CASTLES IN THE SKY (3), GOLDEN SKIES (11), SCAR (10), ONAWINGANDAPRAYER (1)

OVERVIEW: KEAYANG WASABI (9) is a talented, well-bred pacer prepared by Marg and Paddy Lee. His career has been interrupted, with just nine starts as a seven-year-old and first up here after more than a year off the scene, but his class may still rise to the top. From the barrier he should be able to secure a good trailing run and will be flashing home late. Whatever he does here, improvement is expected. WILD BULL (5) covered an extra 34 metres last start and was only beaten 4.5 metres in a strong race. Despite the tricky draw, he can make his own luck. BRINGUSJOY (2) was impressive last start at Melton, flashing home to score, and if saved for one run again she will be dangerous late. ISOLATION (1) has enough gate speed to hold a forward position. He overraced when first up last start, so improvement is expected if he settles better here. 

BACK: KEAYANG WASABI (9) – 3 units (win) 

OVERVIEW: BLACKINDEED (6) was excellent here last start when working forward from a wide draw, sitting parked and proving too strong. If she can replicate that effort, she will be hard to beat again. KYORETSU (4) caught the eye charging home into second last start and may be saved for one run with speed drawn inside him. He has a sharp turn of foot. ROCKNROLL ROCKET (1) has good gate speed and should map well from barrier one. CHEYS ANGEL (9) hasn’t been to the winners’ circle for some time, but she brings the best recent sectional times into the race and should be able to settle well by following through early. 

SELECTIONS: BLACKINDEED (6), KYORETSU (4), ROCKNROLL ROCKET (1), CHEYS ANGEL (9) 

OVERVIEW: The lightly raced THE PRIESTESS (6) looks the clear class runner in this event. Second up for Marg and Paddy Lee, her first-up victory at Maryborough was impressive, doing it tough but making it look easy, and she may simply be too good for these. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (7) doesn’t jump off the page on numerical form but owns the best recent sectional times in the field. She will need luck from the draw but can’t be dismissed. CENTURION DREAM (5) is a smart trotter at her best and, with the right run, can be competitive again. DANCE FIGHTER (4) has been solid at her past two starts, looks to map reasonably well and shapes as a genuine place chance. 

BACK: THE PRIESTESS (6) – 3 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: THE PRIESTESS (6), THE SKY IS THE LIMIT (7), CENTURION DREAM (5), DANCE FIGHTER (4)

OVERVIEW: MY ULTIMATE LUIGI (2) broke through with a deserved maiden win last week at Bendigo, sustaining a long run to score impressively. He now has winning confidence, gate speed and should map well again. NICE ONE CENTURION (4) doesn’t have flashy numerical form but was racing in the elite four-year-old Vicbred Super Series late last year behind top-class opposition. He did it tough last start and battled on well, and this represents a suitable drop in class. MASON JOLIE (3) is still learning his craft and can be a little green, but he has ability and is a horse to follow. DAVOLAS LEGACY (8) is the only runner on the back line, giving her options early. From the respected Jess Tubbs stable and driven by Jordan Leedham, she will be flashing home late. 
SELECTIONS: MY ULTIMATE LUIGI (2), NICE ONE CENTURION (4), MASON JOLIE (3), DAVOLAS LEGACY (8)

OVERVIEW: FEEL THE REIGN (7) is one of Australia’s most experienced pacers and continues to race consistently as an eleven-year-old. He has excellent gate speed and point-to-point speed and was eye-catching last start when making a wide run and being narrowly beaten. WICHITA KANSAS (6) was a solid winner two starts back and then had excuses last start when checked during the run but still battled on well. With gate speed and Leilani Justice’s stable in good form, he can perform strongly with luck. OUR TRUE COLOURS (8) is a strong swooper and will need clear running from the wide draw, but if she gets it, she will be right in the finish. GLENLINE (2) was unlucky last start when checked and raced better than it reads. From the barrier, he shapes as a genuine each-way chance if he brings his best. 

BACK: FEEL THE REIGN (7) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: FEEL THE REIGN (7), WICHITA KANSAS (6), OUR TRUE COLOURS (8), GLENLINE (2) 

OVERVIEW: MAJESTIC YANKEE (3) is an exciting first starter who comes into this race off winning trials at Melton and Geelong. Very well bred out of Group 1-winning mare Fear The Yankee, she won her Geelong trial despite galloping over the line. If she trots throughout, she looks the winner and is unlikely to remain a maiden for long. HEAVENS WISH (2) is another well-bred debutant for Jodi Quinlan and was behind MAJESTIC YANKEE (3) in the Geelong trial, though she did everything right and hit the line strongly. NOSTRA NIPOTINA (6) doesn’t have appealing numerical form but has spent much of his career racing strong age-group opposition and owns the best exposed sectional times in the field. DUNS BOY (1) is still learning his trade but should map well from the draw and looks a place chance. 

BACK: MAJESTIC YANKEE (3) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: MAJESTIC YANKEE (3), HEAVENS WISH (2), NOSTRA NIPOTINA (6), DUNS BOY (1)