Ballarat Harness Preview – Thursday 23rd July

OVERVIEW: IMALLATTITUDE (2) was impressive breaking through for his maiden victory two starts ago at Maryborough. He worked forward to race in the breeze on a rain-affected track and proved too strong. Last start at Stawell, he hit the line well after settling well back. If he can take advantage of his favourable barrier, despite lacking gate speed, he is a genuine winning chance, even though this is a step up in class. WOW YOU CAN DANCE (9) enjoyed a recent campaign at Mildura, where he won by 32.8 metres for Alex Ashwood three starts ago. He was only fair last start, but if he can reproduce his best form, he is a winning chance from an ideal second row draw. FOREGONE CONCLUSION (6) has won his past two starts impressively with Grace Bilney in the sulky. He has the best sectional times in this event, although the awkward barrier makes the task more difficult. QUICK DECISION (3) is racing well and finished strongly for second at Terang last start. If he can settle in a favourable position, he is right in the finish. Also respecting QUICK CRUNCH (10) and ROCKLEIGHS LEGACY (7), who are both in great form but are likely to face difficult race maps from their barriers.

BACK: IMALLATTITUDE (2) – 1 unit (win)

OVERVIEW: ROSEOFTHEWINDS (1) is a smart, progressive trotter for Matthew Craven. She has won her past two starts impressively since returning from a spell and looks the one to beat if she trots throughout. NIGHT FLIGHT (5) has been racing consistently well and often uses his excellent gate speed to find the fence. That may be a little trickier here, but he is racing well enough to be a genuine first four chance regardless. NO TELLING HEATHER (6) returned to the winners’ list at this track two starts ago. If she is close enough turning for home, she will be flashing home late. MAJESTIC CHARMA (2) is a talented mare when she trots cleanly. Her manners can let her down at times, but if she gets everything right, she is a genuine winning chance.

BACK: ROSEOFTHEWINDS (1) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: HAPPENSTBABEACHBOY (9) produced a good third in the 1200-metre event at Melton last start. Horses often come out of those short distance races sharper, and he looks well placed from a favourable barrier. WICHITA KANSAS (6) has been racing well on the clock recently. The barrier makes the task a little trickier, but with the right run he is a genuine winning chance. THE IRISHMAN (1) has been out of the winners’ list for some time, but he has enough gate speed to make the most of the ace barrier. LIKE A GAZELLE (8) was impressive when breaking through for her maiden victory at Ballarat in February. She resumes from a spell here and is likely to be driven with cover.

BACK: HAPPENSTBABEACHBOY (9) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: WOTTAWIZARD (3) produced an eye-catching second at Melton last start. He had to cover an extra 30 metres racing wide and still came home in a slick 28.05 second final quarter for a two-year-old. He looks to be a smart type. The two Michael Stanley-trained runners, SOHO MCLUCKIE (2) and SOHO CRUNCH TIME (6), would not have made the trip from New South Wales to Victoria to campaign unless they were genuine winning chances. SOHO MCLUCKIE (2) is a well-bred son of Soho Nolita. He finished a solid third behind WOTTAWIZARD (3) last start and looks well placed from the favourable barrier. SOHO CRUNCH TIME (6) had a slow recovery after his last run and has since had a few weeks between starts. He should be capable of an improved performance. MOODY MOCCA (4) hit the line well on debut at Maryborough to finish a solid fourth and should take improvement from that outing. There is also an interesting first starter in MAHEO (1), who has trialled well enough and has the advantage of the ace barrier.

BACK: WOTTAWIZARD (3) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: KATUNGA EXPRESS (6) has been racing well and produced a solid third at Melton on Saturday night behind Maas Betting Again and Seaside Boy. This looks to be an easier assignment. MONTANA PRIDE (5) is a little horse with a big heart and is always competitive. At his past two starts, he has drawn barrier seven at Melton but still managed to finish strongly from well back to fill a placing on both occasions. TELEMACHUS (1) has been a little below his best recently, but he has the gate speed and the ace barrier to make full use of. ROCKELLA (3) is third up and should now be nearing peak fitness. His two runs this campaign have both been solid.

BACK: KATUNGA EXPRESS (6) – 1 unit (win)

OVERVIEW: This looks an even event with plenty of winning chances. In races like this, siding with the runner that maps best is often the safest option and, with the scratching of the horse from barrier one, LOVE WHO (2) will now start from the ace barrier. He has been racing reasonably well and the fence trip should help him return to his best form. CHAMPAGNES (6) has enjoyed a career-best past 12 months and was a solid winner at Maryborough last start. The barrier makes the task a little harder, but in a small field she just needs to trot throughout to be right in the finish. THE FIERY SUNSET (7) is another runner in excellent form. She was a good third at Geelong last start after racing in the breeze. ITGETSBETTER (4) has been racing consistently well and should be able to settle in a favourable position. Also respecting BROWN EYED KATE (5), who is in career-best form. She has won her past three starts and, prior to that, finished in the top three at six of her previous eight starts. She comes into this race full of confidence.

OVERVIEW: MOUNT BARKER BOY (7) is a smart Emma Stewart-trained performer. His last two starts have been below his best, but he has a gear change for this event, with the open bridle replaced by a Dolly Varden. If the gear change has the desired effect, he should be too good. MONSIEUR FLAMEL (2) has been racing well enough and should map positively here. CITY ROCKSTAR (4) has the best sectional times in this event, but the barrier does appear to be a little awkward. BATTON ROUGE (3) is a nice horse, but he is first up since February last year. Whatever he does here, he will improve from the run. Also respecting SUPER CODE (1) from the ace barrier, who performs well when he gets fence trips.