Ballarat Magic Millions tips, form and odds, Saturday November 25
IT’S time for the Magic Millions series to kick off this Saturday with the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic and the 3YO & 4YO Classic at Ballarat.
The $300,000 Ballarat Cup is also on the card and although the Melbourne Cup runners have put the cue in the rack this campaign, punters can still bet on the likes of Grey Lion, Mr Garcia and Antonio Giuseppe.
We have free racing tips, form and odds for all 10 races on the Victorian premier meeting, which should give punters a good guide to the Gold Coast Magic Millions early next year.
Sign up with CrownBet and if your horse finishes second or third in the first three races at Ballarat, you’ll get your stake back in matched bonus bets.
Race 1 – BM78 Handicap (1200m)
Former Kiwi runner Royal Fashion is having its first Australian start for the Lindsay Park team after pulling up with a health problem last start. The mare by Snitzel had placed at stakes level prior to that and the inside draw here is going to help its chances. Currently a $4 chance with bookmakers.
Love Days is a mare that needs to recapture its best form. The Clinton McDonald-trained produced a good finish to run seventh behind Deja Blue last start and a month between runs might help its chances. Punters are waiting for an improved performance and it could come here.
Race 1 tip: Royal Fashion to win ($4) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 2 – BM70 Handicap (1100m)
Creativity produced consecutive wins in March before running third behind Ken’s Dream at Caulfield. It hasn’t been seen since then, but it runs very well fresh up and she’s got a torrent of early speed to burn. Drawing deep isn’t ideal, but we wouldn’t overlook its chances.
Sacred Sham has been well-found in the market at $5 and it’s another fresh up runner. The son of O’Reilly finished a close sixth in the Creswick Stakes last start and that form has stacked up nicely throughout the spring. Its only win to date came fresh so consider here.
Race 2 tip: Sacred Sham to win ($5) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – BM78 Handicap (2300m)
Cedar Grande doesn’t have the best form line this season, but it’s dropping right back in grade. The Robert Smerdon-trained four-year-old finished ninth in the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington last start and this is much easier. It still needs to lift as it was unable to win in rating 70 grade earlier in the year, but the light weight helps.
Lycurgus is knocking on the door after consecutive second placings. The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding finished a nose behind Vassal at Rosehill last start and it was second behind Sin to Win at Caulfield prior to that. It’s tough to find a negative and an overdue win looks likely.
Race 3 tip: Lycurgus to win ($5.50) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 4 – Magic Millions Clockwise Classic (1000m)
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Tony McEvoy is on fire with his juveniles lately and Our Toninicconi has been respected in the market at $4 after opening at $4.60. The filly by Nicconi wasn’t overly impressive in a jump out, but punters should respect the early confidence in the betting and we’re also looking forward to the commentator spitting this name out.
La Pomme De Pin has had the benefit of race day experience and it was a cracking run. The I Am Invincible filly finished a nose behind subsequent winner Long Left, which lived up to its big price tag last start. It looks capable of heading straight to the lead from the wide draw and it could take some running down at $5.50.
Race 4 tip: La Pomme De Pin to win ($5.50) at Neds.com.au
Race 5 – VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockdale (1400m)
Pique will be tough to beat if its most recent run is anything to go by. The Darren Weir-trained colt finished third behind Tezlah at Moonee Valley, but it was checked significantly on the turn and it still made up big ground. It gets blinkers for this and the $5.50 is a value price.
Gaudi is an impressive type which scored by 2.25 lengths at Cranbourne last start. It finished a close second behind subsequent winner Nature Strip on debut and that natural pace will help it here. Stepping up over this distance shouldn’t be a problem and it’s another paying good money at $6.
Race 5 tip: $Pique to place ($2.10) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 6 – BM70 Handicap (1600m)
Royal Ace heads an even field at $5 following a second placing at The Valley. The Weir-trained entire didn’t fire against the likes of Night’s Watch prior to that, but it has a recent win to its name at Bendigo and the inside draw with a 3kg claimer riding should help its cause.
Stablemate Bonus D’oro has won four from 13 starts and its recent form includes a win at Sandown before running close behind Wheal Leisure, Falika and Sword of Justice. Rising back up to the mile is going to suit perfectly and we’re expecting its odds of $6 to drop.
Race 6 tip: Bonus D’oro to win ($6) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 7 – BM84 Handicap (1400m)
We were slightly disappointed with the effort of Urban Ruler in the all greys race at Flemington on Oaks day, but it’s capable of bouncing back. The Greg Eurell-trained four-year-old had been in terrific form leading up to that and punters continue to get a good price ($5) for the talented type.
Milwaukee has attracted plenty of attention down the bottom of the page. The Michael Moroney-trained gelding defeated the talented Divine Quality at Sale two starts back before being collared late at Flemington behind Dollar for Dollar. That form is good for this and it looks like another value chance.
Race 7 tip: Milwaukee to win ($5) at Neds.com.au
Race 8 – Ballarat Cup (2200m)
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Antonio Giuseppe has won six from 18 starts, but it has been a long time between drinks. The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old has been taking on the likes of Winx throughout the season, which included a placing in the Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick and this looks its easiest test in some time. $5.50 after opening at $5.
Mr Garcia is a talented import which showed off its talents at Flemington last start. The European import didn’t need time adjusting to Australian conditions when beating a handy field with a big finish. This is a rise in class, but the son of Paco Boy looks to have more class than most of these.
Race 8 tip: Mr Garcia to win ($3.20) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 9 – Magic Millions 3 & 4YO Classic (1100m)
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Punters should forgive Debonairly after its failure at Flemington as it was found to be sore. The well-bred filly by Snitzel had looked impressive prior to that with wins at Newcastle and Scone. It will need to do some early work from out wide, but she has gathered betting support at $4.40.
Pirapala is a value runner at $19. The Lindsay Park-trained mare has switched stables and in that time it has been able to score a 2.5-length win at Tatura. Don’t be put off by its fourth at Bendigo last start as not much went to plan and she has more talent than that.
Race 9 tip: Pirapala to win ($19) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 10 – City of Ballarat Tonks Plate (1200m)
Punters are waiting patiently for Oberland to show its true potential this campaign. The Weir-trained runner battled behind Ocean Embers last start and again two back behind Rich Charm, which is good form for this, but it needs to lift. Oberland used to win with frequency and it needs to earn the trust of punters.
Suspense came to Melbourne with average form, but it has since produced some pleasing efforts in Melbourne. The Snowden-trained runner defeated Hellova Street at Moonee Valley last start and it has since gone on to win during the carnival. Drawing wide has made it tough, but don’t rule it out.
Race 10 tip: Suspense to place ($2.50) at Sportsbet.com.au