Midweek form and free tips at Ballarat, Wednesday March 8
BALLARAT hosts an eight race card this Wednesday and punters shouldn’t have any problem finding some value across the board.
It’s one of the best country venues in Victoria and we have form and free tips for all eight races, which includes the City Of Ballarat Maiden where a talented field of juveniles will take to the track.
Find the best midweek value with Ladbrokes.com.au and look out for its quality midweek specials.
Race 1 – Ultimate Pumps And Irrigation Handicap (1200m)
Kansas Sunflower is making a fresh start this campaign after showing some promise last time in. The Luke Oliver-trained mare drops right back in grade after contesting a handicap at Caulfield last start. It has won and placed at this distance and the in-form Damian Lane takes the ride which is a big positive.
Gohardasun is a five-win gelding which has form at Ballarat. The Melody Cunningham-trained gelding scored a win on this track in November by a half-length and although its form since has been average, it could spring the surprise result over the small field. It’s a three-time winner at this distance and it has serious place claims so consider.
Race 1 tip: Kansas Sunflower to win at Bet365.com
Race 2 – Bond Homes Maiden Plate (1200m)
Mr De Niro was a touch disappointing as the $1.90 favourite last start, but it finished within a length of the winner so it can be forgiven. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding steps up in trip for this which is ideal as it was seen running on at Sale on debut over 1200m. Luke Nolen sticks with it in the saddle and punters should expect another tidy effort.
San Vincenzo ran well last time out when third at Ballarat and another good run should come. The Michael Moroney-trained gelding has had four starts and hasn’t been far away in any of them. The three-year-old is by So You Think and its progeny are winning races all across Australia and New Zealand. Watch the tote for any support and follow market leads.
Race 2 tip: Mr De Niro to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – City Of Ballarat Maiden Plate (1200m)
Lindsay Park lines up debutante Earth Angel which is expected to make a top debut. The two-year-old filly by Animal Kingdom is a royally bred daughter of Miss Finland and all eyes with be on the filly. Arrowfield is the primary owner which should give punters plenty of confidence and we’re expecting its odds to be on the short side.
Theatric is also on debut and it could offer punters some value. The two-year-old filly by Casino Prince is bred for early speed and having Dwayne Dunn in the saddle is a good sign. It won’t carry the same amount of attention as Earth Angel, but maiden races can throw in a surprise result and it’s capable.
Race 3 tip: Earth Angel to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 4 – Hygain 3YO Maiden Plate (1600m)
Crystal Kingdom is a well-related type which has finished in behind some nice types. The Ellerton/Zahra-trained three-year-old finished third on debut behind Tiamo Grace and second behind Arcadia Lane last start at Ballarat. That track experience will do it some good and it looks to have a solid future once its breaks through for the maiden win.
Yulong Xiong Hu has plenty of ability after back-to-back placings. The Darren Weir-trained gelding finished third behind I Boogi on this track and it followed that up with another placing at Pakenham. The three-year-old son of Sebring gets the inside draw which is ideal and it should prove tough to beat.
Race 4 tip: Yulong Xiong Hu to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – Porter Plant Cup R70 Handicap (1600m)
Red Tycoon comes into this with a win under its belt and that came easily. The Allan Clark-trained seven-year-old scored a 2.25-length win at Stawell and although it rises up in grade for this, it drops slightly in weight and it will enjoy running on a dry track. The smaller field should help its chances and it has already won twice this campaign which will take it a long way.
Knight Star is from the powerful Weir stable and it’s looking to turn around a disappointing showing at Seymour. The five-year-old finished last in a seven horse field, but it needed the run and it should be better off lining up here. Brad Rawiller takes the ride and it should be in the thick of the finish.
Race 5 tip: Red Tycoon to win at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 6 – Sportsbet’s New Form R78 Handicap (1200m)
Our Vidia has placed at its last three starts and it has a good record at this track. The Byron Cozamanis-trained mare has placed in both starts at Ballarat and it was last seen finishing off stylishly behind subsequent winner Stellar Collision. The inside draw is ideal and it won’t be long before it wins another race.
Sahara Chill is a last start winner over 1300m which resumes in this. The Kane Harris-trained mare comes over from Sydney where it last raced at Warwick Farm in June and although it will likely need the time, it shouldn’t be discounted. It has form behind some nice types and place punters might be attracted by the price on offer.
Race 6 tip: Our Vidia to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 7 – Hygain R64 Handicap (1000m)
Sebring’s Joy was a nice winner on debut and it was quickly sent out to the paddock. The Weir-trained three-year-old scored a 0.75-length win at Swan Hill and although there is more scope to this field, it doesn’t look much harder. Drawing barrier three is ideal and we’re expecting bookmakers to have it short in the market.
Snitzel Music has been a punters worst nightmare this campaign, but we’re going to give it another chance. The Luke Oliver-trained four-year-old has run as the favourite in all three starts this campaign and it ran second as the $1.65 favourite last start at Kilmore. It’s long overdue a win and Ballarat could be a track that suits the daughter of Snitzel.
Race 7 tip: Sebring’s Joy to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 8 – Porter Plant Cup R64 Handicap (1400m)
Robert de Hero is a consistent type which has been rewarding each way punters this season. The Ellerton/Zahra-trained gelding was a 1.75-length winner at Kilmore two starts back and it followed that up with a solid run at Sandown. The four-year-old finished third behind the talented Consommateur and that form should hold up nicely this season. Looks a good chance in this.
Magellan was a narrow winner on debut before running sixth at Moonee Valley behind Mandee. The three-year-old resumed last time out when second behind Write da Script and although it finished five lengths from the winner, it still defeated four other rivals nicely. It has drawn awkwardly in barrier 10, but consider as a winning hope.
Race 8 tip: Robert de Hero to win at Bet365.com