| Race | Horse | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| R1/5 | Norheim (Value) | Shown talent at trials but can be green. His best can win. |
| R6/3 | See Ya Later Baby | Resuming down in grade and maps for an ideal run. |
| R8/2 | In Love (Best) | Resuming at a track/trip set up he has a good record at. |
Turf Talk:
- Rail position remains as it was here last meeting on 15th October and is +2m 1900m-1550m, +3m 1550m – 450m & True Remainder
- Clear weather is forecast for race day and the lead up so the track is expected to present as a Good 4.
- With a similar set up at the previous meeting it was advantageous to be on speed with an even tempo, they made good ground up late in that meeting but that was tempo related.
The stats that matter:
- Sarah Rutten has 4 runners engaged for todays meeting, her most recent successes have come at this track and she is striking at 23.8% with a POT of +80.4% here at Balaklava.
Race 1
Richard & Chantelle Jolly look to have a talented pair in this race in (5) Norheim & (3) I Am Ole. Both runners have shown talent but are still quite green. Can make a case for debutant Norheim who has impressed in trials but has jumped slow away, if he can jump clean he could be in a strong position. I Am Ole has race experience but generally gets back in the run, he may need luck to get the right run.
(2) Simply Sid has shown improvement in his last two starts at this track when running into the placings.
(1) Luna Phase resumes and maps for a good run from a low barrier, his recent trials have looked sharp.
Selections:
(5) Norheim
(3) I Am Ole
(2) Simply Sid
(1) Luna Phase
Suggested Bet – Norheim (Win)
(4) Melodia Legend was well supported last start when running into 4th in a high pressure race. He maps well again here racing up on speed on a track that should suit.(3) I Am Ralph hit the line strongly last start over the 1400m, rising up here to the 1600m should suit him.
(5) The Punk Rocker has improvement to give from his resuming run, but being drawn for an easier run in the early stages of the race could help.
(6) Flaming Eyes ran into the placings at this track/trip two starts ago before rising up in trip. Looks better suited back at this track where his best recent form has been.
Selections:
(4) Melodia Legend
(3) I Am Ralph
(5) The Punk Rocker
(6) Flaming Eyes
Suggested Bet – No bet
(11) Splash of White is expected to get in here fitter 2nd up off a long break, he showed good speed last time and is drawn well here so expecting a positive run.(2) Little Rocket didn’t get a great deal of luck from a wide barrier last start so expecting improvement from him here with a better race map.
(3) Me Name’s Boris can utilise a low barrier and find a good position early, expect he will be decent odds but can give cheek if the track is playing fast.
(4) Johnny The Jet has been a long way off them in his two race starts but showed much better promise at trial level. He needs to find improvement but it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see him jump out of the ground if he did find the improvement.
Selections:
(11) Splash Of White
(2) Little Rocket
(3) Me Name’s Boris
(4) Johnny The Jet
Suggested Bet – No bet
(2) Enlist has a super record at this track and was a winner here two starts ago. Light in at the weights and drawn well should both be factors that help him see out the 1600m at his favourite track.(7) By The Book ran into the placings in a stronger race last time out, he hit the line strongly so a rise up slightly to the 1600m looks ideal as long as the track is playing evenly.
(6) Punchin usually takes a run into a prep to find stronger form, so 2nd up here now where he has won previously looks ideal.
(1) Lomax drops back down to the 1600m trip having been going around in 2000m races of late. He has won 4 of his 8 career starts at this trip and expect he will be hitting the line strongly late.
Selections:
(2) Enlist
(7) By The Book
(6) Punchin
(1) Lomax
Suggested Bet – No bet
(1) Think Tank was a good winner two starts back in a similar grade before a disappointing effort last start when under pressure early. He looks likely to get a better run here and is slightly back in grade so can bounce back.(2) The Tank has run into the placings in his last two starts and has hit the line strongly in both, this is his first look at the 2200m trip but expect it will suit.
(4) Grinzinger Joy has had a good recent record over this track/trip set up, she didn’t handle a softer track last start so gets better conditions here.
(8) Chartin was well supported last start but disappointed, his key here today is the race map, he looks the likely leader so if given a soft run he could take catching.
Selections:
(1) Think Tank
(2) The Tank
(4) Grinzinger Joy
(8) Chartin
Suggested Bet – No bet
Race 6
(3) See Ya Later Baby resumes over the 1400m trip, he found a good level last prep and this is a step down in grade from those races last prep. Drawn well to the inside and expected to be prominent, he might have improvement to come but gets enough favours in this to be tough to beat.
(4) Mapleway has been well supported twice recently for no success, he has settled more forward in run of late but with plenty of speed here today, he may take a sit which could be his better position and help him improve.
(8) Rokabye Warrior generally races up on speed and is drawn low here today so expect he will take up the running and be the one to catch.
Expect (5) Pricilla’s Choice can be improved fitter 2nd up and dropping in grade.
Selections:
(3) See Ya Later Baby
(4) Mapleway
(8) Rokabye Warrior
Suggested Bet – See Ya Later Baby (Win)
Race 7
(3) Mercury Eight has both of his career wins over this track/trip, looks better suited here today down in class and on to a track where he has had his best success.
(5) Nosie By Nature has gone around at big odds in his last few starts but is dropping down in grade here today and looks better suited here, they pushed forwards last time and with barrier 1 today, if they go forwards again he should be in an ideal position.
(1) Magic Field rates highly in this field and has been running well, he could win on class but would be best suited on a wet track.
(9) Rich Lady is hard to catch having only won 1 of 24 career starts, but is generally always around the mark and especially here at Balakalva, she wouldn’t surprise.
Selections:
(3) Mercury Eight
(5) Nosie By Nature
(1) Magic Field
(9) Rich Lady
Suggested Bet – No Bet
(2) In Love resumes having spent last prep at the Ballarat synthetic track. He goes well in the dry and has a good record here (3:1-2-0). Might need luck early from a wide barrier, but is one of the key speed influences so if he gets the right run, he is well set up.(7) Effusiv drops in grade and is fitter 3rd up now, looks likely to get back in the run so if they over do it out in front he might be best set up.
(6) Refreshing can be an improver on recent efforts dropping back down in grade here today to the provincials.
(12) Linking looks likely to race on speed which will suit and with a light weight could take catching.
Selections:
(2) In Love
(7) Effusiv
(6) Refreshing
(12) Linking
Suggested Bet – In Love (Win)
