Ballarat Harness Preview – Thursday 29 October

OVERVIEW: MASTER LOUEY (2) is a consistent, smart performer for Jayne Davies. He is racing well and will be able to take advantage of a positive race map from barrier two. SPORTS NARRATOR (3) is first-up here, but this is a drop in class from the races he contested before his spell. He has nice ability and the best sectional times in this event. EL LAZZAR (7) has been impressive since joining Lochie Cook’s stable, winning two of his last three starts. He will need to make his own luck from barrier seven, but he is a versatile horse. BLACK OPAL JACK (10) is second-up and is likely to improve on his first-up third at Terang, where he ran home well from a long way back. 

BACK: MASTER LOUEY (2) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: MASTER LOUEY (2), SPORTS NARRATOR (3), EL LAZZAR (7), BLACK OPAL JACK (10) 

OVERVIEW: HAPPILY (8) is a talented mare for Amy Day. She showed her class three starts ago in a Vicbred Super Series heat, finishing third behind The Art Of Success and Wicked Confession. She broke under pressure in the Final, but it was a brilliant race in which she remained competitive. Last start, she sprinted late to finish second behind Jilliby Sniper, who went on to win well at Melton on Saturday night. Her barrier is tricky, but she is the class runner. LANIKAI WARRIOR (2) has had only two career starts and looks to be a progressive type. He was good last start when finishing third behind Hoso Magic, improving on his debut effort. If he takes another step forward, he will be competitive from the barrier. MY MARIONETTE (4) let down nicely last start at Melton. With the right run, she will be flashing home. BUNGY (6) is a better horse than his numerical form suggests. He showed plenty of promise early in his career, and if he brings his best, he will be right in this. Also respecting KATUNTI (5), who has won her last two starts this preparation, although this is a tougher assignment from a tricky barrier. 

BACK: HAPPILY (8) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: HAPPILY (8), LANIKAI WARRIOR (2), MY MARIONETTE (4), BUNGY (6) 

OVERVIEW: REASON TO LAUGH (8) has been racing well. Although well beaten into second last start, he did let down nicely. He has a good record with Michael Bellman in the sulky. As the only horse on the back row, he has the option to stay on the fence or move into the running line. KIMCHI (7) has been in good form and won nicely last start. He enjoyed a good run before storming home late. This is a tougher assignment from the wide front-row barrier. NORMANDY NUGGET (4) has been racing well. He won two starts ago when leading, then did it tough in the breeze last start and still fought on well for third. He may need to make his own luck again here. ALLHEARTNOHEIGHT (2) can capitalise on the better barrier against her main rivals. She doesn’t have enough gate speed to easily cross THE HEATS ON LEXY (1), but she shouldn’t get too far back. 

SELECTIONS: REASON TO LAUGH (8), KIMCHI (7), ALLHEARTNOHEIGHT (2), NORMANDY NUGGET (4) 

OVERVIEW: This is a very even field, and the result is likely to come down to luck and suitable barrier positions. ENABLE ME (2) is first-up since April but won a recent trial at Kyabram. He was fair when finishing fourth at his last start before going for a spell, using the sprint lane and holding his ground up the straight. I am expecting improvement after the freshen-up, although fitness is a query. PICKLE IT (7) is racing better than his numerical form suggests. He had a very tough run in the breeze last start at Cranbourne and only tired in the very late stages. He faces a tricky barrier here, but a win wouldn’t surprise me with some luck. FREAK OUT (1) looks well placed from barrier one. He has enough gate speed to hold a forward position early and will be suited if they run a solid tempo without producing a blistering last quarter. ROBLEN RANGER (3) let down nicely to finish second last start at Melton. He is in good form and, with some luck, is a winning chance here. HIWAYTHREENINENINE (5) is first-up in the state for new trainer Chris Romanidis. He will need to improve on his previous form to win, but the change of scenery could help. 

SELECTIONS: ENABLE ME (2), PICKLE IT (7), FREAK OUT (1), ROBLEN RANGER (3) 

OVERVIEW: This is an interesting race, featuring horses with more than 15 career wins alongside others still chasing their maiden victories. One of the maidens, WHIRILY MAURZ (5), was a good second first-up for Andy Gath last start. She flashed home from well back to finish second, and I am expecting improvement here. ICANMOTOR (7) is a 20-time winner who is a consistent performer, although he faces a tricky barrier. IMAGUNNARESTNGO (1) lacked early speed last start and quickly settled at the rear of the field, but flashed home late to finish third. He needs to hold his ground early here to capitalise on his barrier. SIR CANDY CLOUD (4) battled on for fourth last start after racing in front. If he can map well here, he can capitalise. ELLI JOH (6) is racing well and cannot be left out of calculations. BLISSFULL LILLY (2) is one to watch early, given her good gate speed. 

BACK: WHIRILY MAURZ (5) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: WHIRILY MAURZ (5), ICANMOTOR (7), IMAGUNNARESTNGO (1), SIR CANDY CLOUD (4) 

OVERVIEW: YANKEE RAIN (6) is in great form, having won two of her last three starts. She finished second last start, but it was a good run, and she let down nicely late. The barrier is awkward, but she has the confidence. ROYLANCE (4) is second-up here. He was safely held when first-up but looked to be travelling well. He is a nice horse. James Herbertson drove him in a recent trial and takes the reins for the first time in race conditions. BONA KHAN (3) is a high-speed horse who looks likely to lead early. With a good run, he is a winning chance, although I prefer him over the shorter trip. THEROUX (1) is a nice horse who is racing well and has the ace barrier here. I am also expecting an improved performance from YANKEE GAMBLER (2), who is a tough horse and is second-up. 

SELECTIONS: YANKEE RAIN (6), ROYLANCE (4), BONA KHAN (3), THEROUX (1) 

OVERVIEW: There are some talented, progressive types in this field. TOMBEUR (6) is having his second career start for Chris Svanosio. On debut, he raced in the breeze and was too good. He had a similarly tough run last start and was only caught late by some fast-finishing swoopers. I am expecting an improved performance here with added race fitness and experience. SPRINGFIELD RIVER (3) is a smart performer for Kyle Marshall. He had a tough run first-up last start at Swan Hill but should enjoy a better trip here and improve with fitness. However, he will be better suited if saved for one run. ARZALI ROCKSTAR (4) is a nice filly who finished fourth last start behind the exciting Twigstar in good time. She raced in the breeze and battled on nicely. MISTER AMERICANO (5) is a nice horse who has faced some tough competition throughout his career in feature age-group races. He is second-up here. 

BACK: TOMBEUR (6) – 2 units (win) 

SELECTIONS: TOMBEUR (6), SPRINGFIELD RIVER (3), ARZALI ROCKSTAR (4), MISTER AMERICANO (5) 

OVERVIEW: SOHO SPARKLE (2) had a tough run and tired late in the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series Final for two-year-old fillies last start. She was a good third in the heat, which was only her third career start. She looks like the classiest runner in this field. MYDEEPESTDESIRE (6) has had only four career starts and is yet to miss a place. All her runs have been good, including some tough performances. She won’t remain a maiden for long. VIVA STORM (4) was too far back last start but hit the line nicely to finish fourth. She showed a nice turn of foot and, with a good run, will be flashing home. Similarly, MIDNIGHT MOJO (3) is a great sit sprinter who can capitalise with the right run. 

BACK: SOHO SPARKLE (2) – 2 units (win)  

SELECTIONS: SOHO SPARKLE (2), MYDEEPESTDESIRE (6), VIVA STORM (4), MIDNIGHT MOJO (3)