Ballarat is the main focus in Victoria on Wednesday with eight races set on the synthetic.
It’s a day full of small fields and short-priced favourites, but there’s still good value on offer across the program.
See below for our race-by-race tips and analysis ahead of another big midweek meeting at The ‘Rat!
BULL RUN (2) is third-up now for Chris Waller and looks ready to peak off a confidence-boosting run for third over the mile at Seymour last start.
The French import to Sea The Moon overcame the wide gate from a long way back, making up several lengths from the tail to finish with 3.5 lengths of thew inner.
He’s faced soft tracks in both runs since arriving in Australia and maps to settle further forward this time from the inside gate under Beau Mertens.
| 2. Bull Run (2) J: Beau Mertens 59.5kg 2×43T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today. First-up tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 8 at Seymour Mdn-Sw on May 21 over 1300m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Paddypie with 59.5kg at $9. Last start 3rd of 12 at Seymour Mdn-Sw on June 11 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Ichnusa carrying 59.5kg at $2.60. Ready to break through. | |||
AUDIO POP CAM (4) has jumped out nicely ahead of her return.
The McEvoy-trained filly won on debut at Pakenham on the synthetic last July and then went on to win again at Wangaratta over the summer.
The blinkers come off now for the first time and although she’s a slight query over 1200m fresh, Harry Coffey jumping back into the saddle is a big plus.
| 4. Audio Pop Cam (6) J: Harry Coffey 58.5kg x517xT: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation seventh of 12 at Flemington 3yo F Hcp January 10 over 1100m, 4.5 len behind Jenni The Ninja with 52kg at $16. When resuming last campaign fifth of 12 at Geelong Bm62 November 14 over 1107m, 3 len behind My Zephyr with 57kg at $5.50. Best form reads well, go close. | |||
THINKYAHOT (3) looks close to a well overdue win for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
The three-year-old son to So You Think has been knocking on the door dating back to last December, finding the money in four of his five starts so far.
He was the beaten favourite last start at Sale when overcoming a five-wide position from a long way back, finishing half a length off Eeny Meeny on a bottomless track.
Racing on the synthetic now for the first time, he looks the toughest to beat in a small field with a stack of fitness on his side.
| 3. Thinkyahot (6) J: Zac Spain 59.5kg 22×23T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming made ground from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Echuca Mdn-Sw on May 23 over 1109m, slow going 1.3 len behind Artbeat carrying 59.5kg at $2.90. Second run from a spell 3rd of 9 at Sale Mdn-Sw on June 10 over 1200m, in the wet; 0.5 len behind Eeny Meeny carrying 59.5kg at $2.80. Well placed. Rates highly and should go close. | |||
ULTRA BLUE (1) ticks most of the boxes here back on the synthetic.
Tom Dabernig’s gelding has done little wrong over his four starts, winning twice and finding the placings twice.
By Blue Point, he was all class putting paid to his rivals by 1.5 lengths at Sandown to start the month, a solid win on a very heavy track. Providing he handles top weight again, he’ll be very hard to run down up on the speed.
| 1. Ultra Blue (1) J: Jade Smith 63.5kg 51321T: Tom Dabernig | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently won by 1.5 len at Sandown-Lakeside Bm66 June 3 over 1400m in heavy going defeating Sparkling Luck with 60kg at $3.20. The start before that 2nd of 12 at Casterton Bm66 on May 17 over 1400m, slow going 1.3 len behind Freak Of Nature carrying 57.5kg at $2. Racing well and finds another ideal race. | |||
DEMPSEY (4) is a key chance in a race that inspires little confidence.
He’s been racing well without winning dating back to the start of May, last seen making some late ground at Bairnsdale over the mile from an impossible gate to run fourth.
Barrier 7 should see him settle midfield and if he gets some early cover, the slight step back to 1500m after running on a heavy track last time out should suit.
| 4. Dempsey (7) J: Valentin Le Boeuf 59.5kg 84334T: Ernie Francese | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently made some head-way from midfield; 4th of 14 at Bairnsdale Mdn-Sw on June 12 over 1600m, on a wet track; 4 len behind Nikephoros carrying 59.5kg at $5. The race before that held ground to the line 3rd of 12 at Kilmore Mdn-Sw on June 1 over 1607m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind It Matters carrying 59.5kg at $16. Well placed. Coming along well and has claims. | |||
TAN TAT DELIGHT (6) has claims competing on the synthetic for the first time.
Chris Waller’s filly showed real improvement at Sandown a few weeks ago on a very wet day, settling last in the early stages before making a move mid-race to run on late for fourth.
She’s third-up now and untried over 1400m, but with 3kg off at the weights, she could sneak into the money under the hands of Harry Coffey.
| 6. Tan Tat Delight (7) J: Harry Coffey 56.5kg 20×74T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming settled back and ran on when 7th of 12 at Pakenham Bm66 on May 15 over 1200m, slow going 2.5 len behind Zunna carrying 57kg at $9.50. Second-up 4th of 10 at Sandown-Lakeside 3yo F Bm64 on June 3 over 1200m, on a wet track; 3 len behind Brilliant Horizon carrying 59.5kg at $4.60. Going well. Peaks now and has solid claims. | |||
SOLDIER BOI (6) looks one of the hardest to beat for Lucinda Boyd.
The three-year-old son to Churchill shed the maiden tag fresh at Geelong earlier n April, then venturing out here at Ballarat over the mile where he lugged 60kg around on his way to finishing a distant second.
He’s been thrown in the deep end in much tougher contests at Flemington recently, so this drop back in class is a positive if he can get across early from a sticky gate.
| 6. Soldier Boi (9) J: Lucinda Boyd 58kg x1269T: Lucinda Boyd | |||
| Most recently 9th of 16 at Flemington 3yo Hcp on June 6 over 2000m, in the wet; 6 len behind Rockette carrying 52kg at $12. Before that 6th of 17 at Flemington 3yo Hcp on May 16 over 2000m, 2.25 len behind Brave Danza carrying 54kg at $21. Willing to give him another chance. | |||
WOLF TWENTY ONE (1) maps to get a tidy run up on the speed with the inside alley at his disposal.
Shane Jackson’s gelding won clear of a length at Cranbourne to kick off his prep three back and has held that form nicely, finishing within a similar margin over his last two stats.
He’ll find this much easier than his most recent assignment at Swan Hill and is aided by a sharp drop back to 1000m with Tom Madden again retaining the ride.
| 1. Wolf Twenty One (1) J: Tom Madden 61.5kg 7×134T: Shane Jackson | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently 4th of 9 at Swan Hill Bm78 on June 5 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.1 len behind Ka Ying Cheer with 55.5kg at $10. The race before that 3rd of 14 at Bendigo Bm66 on May 13 over 1100m, 1.0 len behind Prince Tycoon carrying 61.5kg at $13. Going well and sets up nicely. | |||
