Ballarat Harness Preview – Wednesday 23rd September

OVERVIEW: HOME AND DRY (3) got back into the winner’s circle last start at Cranbourne. He flashed home impressively from midfield up the straight to win well. This race is harder, but he now has the winning confidence. KIMCHI (4) has a good turn of foot, including good gate speed, which he has the option to use here. THE IRISHMAN (2) has had some really tough or unlucky runs recently. He often gets caught wide and needs to cover extra ground racing wide. Last start was his first run in some time where he had a good trip, but he looked to underperform a bit there. From barrier two, he should have some luck. THEROUX (6) is a nice horse who is always competitive. He should be peak fit now as it’s his fourth start back this prep. Tricky barrier. Also respecting NORMANDY NUGGET (1) from the barrier. 

SELECTIONS: HOME AND DRY (3), KIMCHI (4), THE IRISHMAN (2), THEROUX (6) 

OVERVIEW: NIGHT FLIGHT (8) returned with a fourth last start at Melton. He was held up late but hit the line well, and it was a harder race than this one. He will improve with fitness. He always runs well at this track, but he will need some luck from the barrier. JOE LOU (4) is in flying form. He’s won four of his last seven and finished second in the other two. PURPLE MOON (2) has had three starts in the state for a second and two fifths. Last start, she was fifth in the Vicbred Super Series 3yo Silver Trot, which was a tougher race than this. She led on that occasion. She is likely to find the front again here. JILLIBY RADIANCE (5) tired last start in the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series Final. However, it was a terrific result to qualify for the race. In her heat, she contested for the lead and galloped out of the field, caught up and hit the line impressively for fourth. A big winning chance here if she trots throughout and brings her best. Also respecting SHAQ THE ANVIL (1) from the barrier. 

SELECTIONS: NIGHT FLIGHT (8), JOE LOU (4), PURPLE MOON (2), JILLIBY RADIANCE (1). 

OVERVIEW: A SPECIAL OCCASION (8) is a Captaintreacherous-sired three-year-old from New Zealand having his first Australian start for trainer-driver Michael Stanley. He trialled at Melton earlier this month, where he ran home in a fast 26.6 final quarter for the middle trip. He has strong New Zealand form, including a third in the Group 1 Northern Derby, where he stormed home from four fence. He can get off the fence being the only horse on the back row here and will be hard to beat. COOL STORY (3) has been racing well, but he does lack early gate speed, so he often needs to make his own luck. He’s a nice horse, and I’m respecting the Ross Graham-James Herbertson combo here. TEST OF FIRE (2) has brilliant gate speed and won by 25.8 metres at this track two starts ago after leading. However, he is first-up here, so fitness will be a query. MY MARIONETTE (1) has the best sectional times on exposed Australian form in this event. She should get a good trip from barrier one. 

SELECTIONS: A SPECIAL OCCASION (8), COOL STORY (3), TEST OF FIRE (2), MY MARIONETTE (1) 

OVERVIEW: CHILLHUNNYBUNNY (4) was first-up in five months last start when second at Ballarat. She ran home nicely behind No Telling Heather. She will improve on that run with fitness. MAORI TATTOO (6) flashed home nicely into third last start at Maryborough. He has been racing well recently, he just needs some luck from the barrier and to get his manners right. BROOKLYNGOTCOURAGE (2) can get it wrong with her manners, but when she does everything right and gets some luck, she can perform well. Barrier two suits. IM MISS ROYALTY (8) has the best sectional times in this event but is first-up here since July. Also respecting SNICKERS EXPRESS (7) here. He’s good enough to be a winning chance here, but his barrier makes it tricky. 

BACK: CHILLHUNNYBUNNY (4) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: CHILLHUNNYBUNNY (4), MAORI TATTOO (6), BROOKLYNGOTCOURAGE (2), IM MISS ROYALTY (8) 

OVERVIEW: ULTIMATE GRANGE (7) is having his second career start here. On debut, he went back to last and got held up but did everything right and ran home well. He will improve from the run with experience but has an awkward barrier again here. CALIFORNIA COOL (3) is having his third career start here. He ran a solid third last start behind Le Gaston and Storm Vendetta. He performed well, and I can imagine he will be a maiden for long. RIDE HIGH CAPTIN (2) led last start and was beaten late by the smart King Baldwin. He should be able to map well here from barrier two. ZAV DAN (5) has been racing OK but has a tricky barrier to contend with here. 

SELECTIONS: ULTIMATE GRANGE (7), CALIFORNIA COOL (3), RIDE HIGH CAPTIN (2), ZAV DAN (5) 

OVERVIEW: EL TORNADO (3) is a nice trotter who found his best form last start. He did some work early and then ran home well late to win impressively. He has the winning confidence now. CONSTANT (6) was a well-deserved winner last start at Kilmore. She’s been racing so well and has a great turn of foot. Barrier six is awkward here, but she is a good winning chance again if she has some luck. WHY NOT (2) will get a good trip now with the scratching from barrier one. He’s only had the four career starts but looks to be a talented type. WHISKEY DAWN (7) is an interesting trotter. She clearly has ability and has run some nice races in her short career. She also hasn’t had the best luck and can get it wrong with her manners. It will be tough from barrier seven here, but a win also wouldn’t surprise. 

BACK: EL TORNADO (3) – 2.5 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: EL TORNADO (3), CONSTANT (6), WHY NOT (2), WHISKEY DAWN (7) 

OVERVIEW: MISS ADDI (7) is a smart mare who has only missed a place once in her career. She flashed home into second two starts ago at Melton and followed that up with a win last start at Cranbourne after finding the front. She may not have luck here from the barrier, but her class will likely still shine through. MY ATLANTIS (2) is third-up here after over a year on the sidelines, so expecting an improved performance here with fitness. Last start, she wasn’t pushed at Geelong but seemed to run home OK. From the barrier, she should perform well. STORM VENDETTA (4) has run two good seconds in his last two starts. He raced in the breeze and battled on well for second last start. He can race well again here. STEEL MIKI (5) returns here first-up since March. He was a good winner in the breeze last start before his break at Swan Hill. He is lightly raced and appears like a horse who will improve with age, so I am expecting an even better preparation from him this time in. 

BACK: MISS ADDI (7) – 2.5 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: MISS ADDI (7), MY ATLANTIS (2), STORM VENDETTA (4), STEEL MIKI (5) 

OVERVIEW: THEMIDNIGHTEXPRESS (2) is a smart horse who qualified for the Group 1 APG Vicbred Super Series Final last start, but a racing incident from the first attempt saw him scratched. However, he is racing really well, has the gate speed to find the front and has the best sectional times in this event. He will be hard to beat. MATRIARCH DAISY (4) is lightly raced, but at her best she is a nice horse. If she relies on her speed here and is saved for one run, she could be flashing home nicely late. MAJOR ROY (5) is third-up here and will be close to peak race fitness. He was held up late last start but looked to be hitting the line really well. IM THE REASON (3) is first-up here after two Maryborough trial victories. He has ability at his best. 

BACK: THEMIDNIGHTEXPRESS (2) – 3 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: THEMIDNIGHTEXPRESS (2), MATRIARCH DAISY (4), MAJOR ROY (5), IM THE REASON (3)