The Ballarat Turf Club is the focus in Victoria on Wednesday, with eight races scheduled.
A few showers are forecast on race day, but we should be racing on a Good 4 surface with the rail out 4m across the circuit.
A competitive sprint race opens the program, before our Best Bet steps out in Race 4 from Clinton McDonald’s yard.
For betting insight, form analysis, and a look at all the key runners, scroll down to read our race-by-race Ballarat Wednesday Preview!
SEMANTICS (10) appears to be a smart filly resuming for Team Freedman.
We got a good look at her when she debuted at Sandown for third in late May, setting the tempo early from a quick getaway before her conditioning and fitness let her down over the late stages.
There’s been a lot to like about her two recent jump outs leading into her return and she looks very well-suited stepping out over 1000m first-up.
| 10. Semantics (3) J: Ethan Brown 57kg 3x T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Resuming after a break; only one run when sat on the pace when 3rd of 13 in a 2yo F Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on May 23 over 1000m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Divine Dot with 55.5kg at $2.90. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Should improve this time in and maps for every hope. | |||
SISTER’S RUN (7) rates a decent each-way chance in a tricky staying race.
She’s an eight-start maiden who has mixed his form, but happy to take her on two recent place efforts here on her home track., the latest coming over 2000m where she was up sharply in distance.
The daughter to Contributer ran on strongly from a midfield position finish second down the centre of the straight, and she should be much better for the run with growing fitness on her side.
| 7. Sister’s Run (2) J: Billy Egan 57.5kg x4732 T: Patrick Kearney | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 14 in a Mdn-Sw at this track on September 18 over 2000m, 2.5 len behind Only Opera with 57.5kg at $21. Before that came from midfield; 3rd of 12 in a Mdn-Sw at Ballarat Synthetic on August 31 over 1500m, 3.5 len behind Aubaine carrying 57.5kg at $61. Drawn low, not the worst. | |||
American import HEDJET (2) gets his chance second-up for Clinton McDonald.
The three-start maiden to American Pharoah loomed hte winner on return at Seymour a few weeks ago, finding the front out of the turn before simply running out of gas over the final 100m.
The decision to stick to 1400m is interesting considering he handled the mile quite well this time last year, but given he was competing off a 12 month break last start, he’s open to big improvement with Ben Melham taking the reins again.
| 2. Hedjet (6) J: Ben Melham 59.5kg 72×2 T: Clinton McDonald | |||
| Second run back. First-up after a year sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 8 in a Mdn-Sw at Seymour on September 10 over 1429m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Zoehrer carrying 59.5kg at $3.30. Previously second-up 2nd of 9 in a 2yo C&G Mdn Sw at Gowran Park on September 20 2025 over 1609m, on a wet track; 0.5 len behind Christmas Day with 59.5kg at $4. Should come on nicely from that and take catching. | |||
KINGSBURY (5) gets in carrying 60kg again second-up with Ben Melham retaining the ride.
The son to Extreme Choice gave a nice sight on return at Geelong two weeks ago over a touch shorter, setting up shop around midfield in the early stages, before unleashing with a solid turn of foot to grab second in a late dive for the line.
He’ll appreciate the extra trip on Wednesday and draws to do a lot less work this time from a better gate.
| 5. Kingsbury (3) Scratched: | |||
JENNI YOU THINK (11) can mix her form but appears to have returned quite well for Ciaron Maher.
She went down fighting in a ding-dong battle for the line at Sandown first-up, settling for third in the end after quickening from midfield at the top of the straight.
Her best racing over eight starts has come over the mile and she gets in well here at the weights all things considered carrying just 54kg again. From barrier 4, looks for Jett Stanley to adopt similar tactics.
| 11. Jenni You Think (4) J: Jett Stanley 56kg 52833 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 8 in a F&M Bm70 at Sandown-Hillside on September 9 over 1400m, on a slow track; 0.5 len behind Geffina carrying 56kg at $7.50. The race before that 3rd of 8 in a Bm74 at Sandown-Hillside on July 29 over 1800m, on rain affected going; 2.5 len behind Ninyo carrying 52kg at $4.20. Definite threat over this longer trip. | |||
TURBO SAINT (5) can take the next step now for Clinton McDonald and connections.
The son to Zousain caught the eye winning by a length on debut at Geelong two weeks earlier, storming home in a strong finish where he appeared to have a gear left to go when crossing the line.
Off that, the rise in distance suits enormously and he should be afforded a more economical run in transit this time from a softer gate.
| 5. Turbo Saint (5) J: Ben Melham 59.5kg 1 T: Clinton McDonald | |||
| Was well-supported at debut, won favourite; won by 1.0 len in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Geelong on September 11 over 1100m defeating Faster Link carrying 58kg at $3.70. Wary of natural improvement, watch betting. | |||
CARRIEDO (8) is one to keep an eye on as she resumes for Grahame Begg.
This lightly-raced four-year-old was last seen competing at Flemington where she went around at short odds, disappointing majorly for a run thought when she was last to greet the judge in the same race as the talented Concord Connie.
Before that though, she won back to back starts at Geelong and Sandown, bolting in by huge margins on both occasions.
The 1200m trip is well short of her best, but she looks forward enough to give this a real shake based on her recent jump out win.
| 8. Carriedo (7) J: Jordan Childs 58.5kg 2110x T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Is first-up after a break of five months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation when last of 12 at Flemington 3yo F Hcp April 25 over 1400m, 25 len behind Concord Connie with 58.5kg at $2.80. First up last campaign third of 10 at Kyneton 3yo F Mdn-Sw February 10 over 1218m, 0.9 len behind Succaforyou carrying 57kg at $3.60. Has talent and should go well fresh. | |||
GINA’S A STAR (10) can go on with the job following a narrow win on the Hillside track at Sandown a few weeks ago.
Mitchell Freedman’s mare found the box seat and was brave all the way through the line, fending off a couple of late challengers along the inside to win a narrow head bob.
The form from that race has stacked up well with the runner-up Per Sempre going on to win at Mornington on Saturday, and from another low gate, she should be up close to the speed again and just as hard to hold out.
| 10. Gina’s A Star (2) J: Jye Mcneil 58kg 41321 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a nose in a F&M Bm70 at Sandown-Hillside on September 9 over 1000m in soft going defeating Per Sempre with 55.5kg at $7.50. The race before that came from midfield; 2nd of 9 in a Cl1 at Bendigo on August 26 over 1100m, on a wet track; 2 len behind Col Klink carrying 57kg at $5. Racing well and maps for every hope. | |||