2016 Ballarat Cup betting, form, odds and free tips

Ballarat Cup

THE Ballarat Cup is one of the most highly-competitive races in Victoria and with a stake of $300,000, it’s a big race to win.

A full field of 22 runners have accepted for the Ballarat Cup which features last start Eclipse Stakes winner Turnitaround and New Zealand Derby winner Puccini.

Ballarat hosts a 10-race card on Saturday which also features the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic and the Magic Millions Classic.

Start the day off with a bonus bet courtesy of Sportsbet if your horse finishes second or third in the first three races at Ballarat.

Sportsbet.com.au

Race 1 – Sam Miranda Mares Handicap (1200m)

Cheeky Babe scored an overdue win last start at Moonee Valley and it could kick on with it now. The Darren Weir-trained mare has now won three from 10 starts with five placings and although it rises up in weight for this, the 55.5kg won’t be an issue. Current favourite at $3.10.

Entrancing finished second behind Cheeky Babe at Moonee Valley last start and it has plenty of upside. The Phillip Stokes-trained mare won back-to-back races in Adelaide before making the trip east and it adapted well. It wasn’t far behind Cheeky Babe and with another run under its belt, it could turn the tables at $3.30.

Diamond Baroness is a consistent type which has finished first or second in seven of its nine starts. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare finished second behind Moonlite’s Choice last start which was heavily backed to win at Sandown last Saturday and its win prior was full of class. It could topple the two favourites with some luck.

Race 1 tip: Cheeky Babe to win ($3.10) at Sportsbet.com.au

Race 2 – City Of Ballarat Tonks Plate (1200m)

Cindy Alderson lines up Smart Dart which scored a strong win at Kyneton last start. The seven-time winner has won six times at this distance and although it has no form second up, it should appreciate Ballarat and it drops down to 52kg after Ben Thompson’s 2kg claim.

Believe Yourself is an interesting runner from Singapore which is now based at the Waterhouse/Bott stables. The five-year-old last raced in the Singapore Derby where it finished 10th, but it’s fresh up record of five wins from six starts speaks for itself. We don’t rate Singapore form very highly, but the betting suggests it has a chance of winning at $4.20.

Another Diamond is a quality runner for Bill Cerchi which won consecutive races earlier this preparation. It had its chances last start at Moonee Valley, but consider here on the first line of betting at $4.

Race 2 tip: Smart Dart to win ($4) at CrownBet.com.au

Race 3 – Vobis Gold Stockade 3YO (1400m)

Mr Markou is a capable type for Tony McEvoy which has form against some nice horses. The three-year-old finished third in the Magic Millions Classic at Morphettville in March before running third in the Mornington Sires in April. It has returned this preparation with a win and a placing and it looks a chance here at $5.50.

Urban Ruler is a three-time winner from five starts and its two defeats have come in harder races. The Greg Eurell-trained gelding finished fifth behind race-rival Valliano in the Vobis Gold at Caulfield earlier this year and its only other defeat came behind Detective in the Exford Plate. It scored a narrow win last start and deserves to be considered here at $2.80.

Valliano hasn’t won for awhile now, but it has the ability. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained gelding finished fourth in the Gothic Stakes which should be a good form guide for this and it will relish the inside draw. Good chance here at $4.60.

Race 3 tip: Urban Ruler to win ($2.80) at WilliamHill.com.au

Race 4 – Magic Millions Clockwise Classic (1000m)

The improving Busuttin/Young stables line up Garrard which has been well backed into $4.40. The daughter of Sepoy hasn’t had any public trials so the tote support will be the best guide. Mark Zahra rides and it looks a nice win chance.

American Genius has been backed into $3.30 after opening at $4.80. It is one of two runners which has race experience when finishing third at Flemington in the Maribyrnong Trail behind Madeenaty and that form looks strong. Always uncertainty about going right-handed, but follow the tote support.

Despatch won a trial last month to prepare for this and it has the breeding on its side. The Tony McEvoy-trained son of Written Tycoon is bred for speed and McEvoy is going well with his juveniles this season. Respect at $6.50.

Race 4 tip: American Genius to win ($3.30) at Bet365.com

Race 5 – Suez McKellar Mile R70 (1600m)

Galaxy Raider was an impressive winner at Sale last start and bookmakers believe it might go back-to-back. The Greg Eurell-trained gelding won by six lengths over One No Trump and its form prior suggests that wasn’t a one-off. It finished sixth in the Silverbowl Final at Flemington and this isn’t a very deep field. $2.40 on offer.

Shockaholic won in this grade last start at Bendigo and via the apprentice claim from Ben Thompson, it doesn’t rise in weight. The Matt Laurie-trained gelding scored an easy win at Bendigo and it should appreciate the slight rise in distance. Currently on the third line of betting at $6.

Dollar For Dollar has been well backed at $4.80. The Tony McEvoy-trained gelding hasn’t been seen since winning by 5.4 lengths in April. Its run prior was a second placing behind Silent Elation at Gawler and it has the breeding to suggests it can win in this grade. The son of High Chaparral should run well over the mile.

Race 5 tip: Galaxy Raider to win ($2.40) at CrownBet.com.au

Race 6 – Thomas Jewellers R70 Handicap (1100m)

Ma Deuce is a professional type which has won three from four starts. The five-year-old scored an impressive 4.25-length win in April at Pakenham and its form prior warrants attention. Trained by Greg Eurell, the gelding gets the inside draw and $4.60 is a nice price.

Punt Club could be worth a punt at $7.50. The Pat Cannon-trained gelding is a two-time winner from eight starts which scored a win in this grade last start. It won its only start at this distance and despite an awkward draw, it should go close in this.

Just Got Lucky gives Ben Thompson another good ride. The last start winner has been respected in the betting at $7.50 and although it throws in the odd poor run, it has enough ability to win against this even field.

Race 6 tip: Ma Deuce to win ($4.60) at Bet365.com

Race 7 – Magic Millions Classic (1100m)

Secret Agenda returned to form with a win in the How Now Stakes at Caulfield when fresh up and it wasn;t far away in two tough races since. The Mick Price-trained mare ran sixth in the Northwood Plume behind Sheidel and the long Flemington straight didn’t help last start in the MSS Security Sprint. This track suits better and it will enjoy jumping from barrier one.

Speedeor was a stylish winner at Flemington last start and it looks to have a fair amount of ability. The Weir-trained colt has now won two straight and there is plenty of confidence in the camp surrounding this runner. $2.80 suggests it has a strong chance again.

Dam Ready has been competitive in tough races this campaign and it shouldn’t be overlooked. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained gelding ran fifth in the Red Anchor Stakes two back before running seventh last start and that came against harder opposition. Nice each way chance at $9.50.

Race 7 tip: Speedeor to win ($2.80) at Sportsbet.com.au

Race 8 – Sportsbet Ballarat Cup (2200m)

Lidari finished third in the Eclipse Stakes and it’s due a big win after four runs this campaign. The Weir-trained horse might be an eight-year-old, but it showed its ability when running second in the Crystal Mile behind The United States and the $8 on offer is a great price from bookmakers.

Cool Chap had every chance to win at Sandown last start, but it gets in here with a light weight of 54kg and it could justify its favouritism. The Freedman-trained gelding is the current $6 favourite in a wide-open betting affair and it should go close if it brings its best form.

Rising Romance is a former top liner which could find its best form here. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained mare didn’t fire in the Matriarch Stakes, but its run for second in the Memsie Stakes in August that it still has some ability left in its legs. It will get a soft run from the inside draw and it’s over the odds at $21.

Race 8 tip: Cool Chap to place ($2.20) at CrownBet.com.au

Race 9 – Hertz Handicap R78 (2300m)

Charlevoix didn’t fire at Caulfield last start, but punters should expect a much better effort here. The Michael Kent-trained horse won the Galilee Final last preparation and rising up to this distance is a big assist. Drawing the inside helps and it should be tough to beat at $5.

I’ll Fly Away is a three-time winner from five starts for trainer Darren Weir. The five-year-old won narrowly at Moonee Valley last start and it could continue on with that. It stays in the same grade for this and Ben Allen takes its weight down to 53kg. Each way hope at $7.

Tears Of Joy has looked good placing at its last two starts and it has experience running at Ballarat. The Mark Kavanagh-trained mare placed on this track at its only start and it ran nicely in the Kyneton Cup last start. Should go close at $7.

Race 9 tip: Charlevoix to win ($5) at WilliamHill.com.au

Race 10 – Isuzu Handicap R84 (1400m)

Septamore finished under a length behind Dan Zephyr in the China Bowl at Ararat last start and that form should be fine for this. The Weir-trained gelding has yet to finish worse than third in five starts at this distance and it could return to the winners enclosure here. $4.80 available.

Model Dragon won its first three career starts before disappointing at Flemington last start. That was a tough race so we’re prepared to forgive it and its form prior was excellent. It won its only start at this distance so respect the $4.60 on offer.

The current $3.80 favourite is Duibio which finished second at Bendigo last start. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has won second up and twice at this distance, so follow any support on the tote.

Race 10 tip: Septamore to win ($4.80) at CrownBet.com.au

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