Betsy’s Set: Balaklava

Turf Talk:

• Rail position will remain in the true position from their recent cup meeting a fortnight ago
• A good rated track is expected so that should mean the inside lanes in the straight should play as fair as the rest of the track
• Despite Balaklava having the longest straight of any of the South Australian thoroughbred tracks, Balaklava can tend to advantage on-speed runners, especially when the track is dry.

Race 1

Tough staying affair for the maidens kicks off today’s meeting. Can trust (7) Fiery Moon to see out this trip given the way she hit the line strongly over a similar trip last start and gets in light at the weights. Don’t think we saw the best of (6) Empress Of Soul last time on a wet track, she is capable of improving here today on better ground and can be stronger in these conditions. (2) Cracken Good Time looks the leader of the race, he could pinch this if given an easy time of it out in front, as he could prove hard to catch. (9) Grinzinger Joy ran out a staying trip at Morphettville last time so proven over this further type of distance, she may need a softer run to find the improvement required but may get that chance in an open race.

Selections:
(7) Fiery Moon
(6) Empress Of Soul
(2) Cracken Good Time
(9) Grinzinger Joy

Suggested Bet – No Bet, Tough race to bet into given it’s hard to be confident in the form of some of these.

Race 2

(12) So Polite was well supported last time out in a handy rated maiden, she led for a long way before eventually being run over the top of. A drop back in distance suits as well as extra fitness now 2nd up. (9) Common Interest makes his debut off the back of a set of handy trials, the Jolly camp has a good record at bringing debutants to this track and winning. (2) I Am Ralph resumes, finished last prep with a pair of placings and this maiden doesn’t appear much tougher than those. (6) Palace Invite makes his debut here, he draws well here which should give him a nice soft run first up an early move in the market for him suggests he could be ready to go on debut.

Selections:
(12) So Polite
(9) Common Interest
(2) I Am Ralph
(6) Palace Invite

Suggested Bet – So Polite (Win)

Race 3

(13) Oakley Miss looks tough to beat here in this. She ran into the placings at Stakes level in her debut prep and ran a nice 2nd when resuming behind the in form Kalmana. She looked like she needed that run so expecting improvement 2nd up here today. (12) Freedom Flame comes out of the same last start race as (13) Oakley Miss did. That looks the right form reference for this race. (14) Sassy Sophie was solid last start, back in trip today to the 1400m may be more suitable despite the solid effort last time. (10) Safe Bet comes out of what may prove to be a handy rating maiden last start on cup day. He was solid there with a light weight and gets in well again at the weights and may be better suited over the 1400m.

Selections:
(13) Oakley Miss
(12) Freedom Flame
(14) Sassy Sophie
(10) Safe Bet

Suggested Bet – Oakley Miss (Win)

Race 4

(4) Loca Bella has been banging the door down in her last few starts, having run into the placings in her last 4 races. She is suited over the 1600m trip, and the last start form reference behind Anthracite is a very handy form line of late to follow. (2) Titan Rising drops in grade and should find this easier. He looks one of the likely leaders of the race so may be best suited in these conditions. (10) Star Decorum looks the most likely leader; she will tick along out in front from a low barrier and with a light weight but the test for her here today is the 1600m trip for the first time. (1) Pacific Cross is first up for a new stable. He rates highly in a field like this but suggest he will be better over more ground deeper into this prep.

Selections:
(4) Loca Bella
(2) Titan Rising
(10) Star Decorum
(1) Pacific Cross

Suggested Bet – No bet. Loca Bella looks best suited but if the track has a leaders bias they could be hard to catch.

Race 5

(8) Monseagle hit the line strongly last start, but ran out of track to be able to pick up winner (4) Super Lad. Rising in trip here to the 1600m looks suitable though, given he goes well over the trip (10:3-0-1), so think he gets every chance to turn the tables on (4) Super Lad today. But (4) Super Lad maps for a soft run from the inside barrier and could be suited if this track is favouring those on speed. However, this is his 1st time over the 1600m, which is the test. A drop in grade for (5) Thinkingnintynine could help him find some improvement on last start. (11) Bywaters Road wouldn’t surprise here at odds. He maps well with a light weight, and 2 of his 4 career win have come at this track.

Selections:
(8) Monseagle
(4) Super Lad
(5) Thinkingnintynine
(11) Bywaters Road

Suggested Bet – Monseagle (Each-way)

Race 6

(2) Sir Leapalot recently ran 4 placings in a row before a solid effort in a stronger race at Morphettville. Despite no wins, he is in good form and looks to have found a suitable race to get an overdue win, though he may need luck from the wide barrier. (1) Outpost ran 2nd in a similar race to this last start and could improve today on a drier track. (3) Shikanic won 2 starts ago at Pt Augusta and then contested a race here on Cup day in the wet. He finished midfield but can improve on dry ground. (4) Mercury Eight generally likes to push forwards and lead, so may be best suited here if the track does suit his on-speed pattern.

Selections:
(2) Sir Leapalot
(1) Outpost
(3) Shikanic
(4) Mercury Eight

Suggested Bet – No Bet, like Sir Leapalot, but want to see the track playing fairly due to that wide barrier.

Race 7

(2) Hamner Springs hasn’t shown a lot in 2 runs this prep, but 3rd up today and fitter now. His only career win came 3rd up last prep and he is well down in grade today so could be a big improver. (5) Testa Dexta has placed in his last 4 starts and gets here to Balaklava, a track that he has had good success at previously (4:1-1-1). He has to overcome a wide barrier but with senior jockey Todd Pannell hopping on, he should get every chance to find the right run. (11) Rokabye Warrior can race on speed, is suited 2nd up now and rising in trip to the 1400m. His only career win has come over this same track/trip. (8) Snipers Nightmare ran midfield in a similar race to this last start; there could be less speed in this race which may give him a softer run.

Selections:
(2) Hamner Springs
(5) Testa Dexta
(11) Rokabye Warrior
(8) Snipers Nightmare

Suggested Bet – No Bet, Hamner Springs gets every chance to improve, but recent form doesn’t fill you with enough confidence to be betting.