By Neil Evans
Track Soft 6 and rail True
Race 1 – 2.10pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1900m)
We start over the longer journey on a surface that will continue to improve. Keen on tough Gold Coast five-year-old 2. Jabbar who is hard fit, and ran home well to miss narrowly in a deeper BM 58 a fortnight ago. Can sit a bit closer here from a softer draw, and the more the track dries out the better placed he is.
Ballina will host a seven-race meeting on Monday..Credit:Fairfax
Dangers: Improving mare 3. Proost has to slot in from the outside draw, but she’s ready for the extra trip having flooded home to easily win her maiden over 1700m. Gap to the rest headed by 7. Feudalist who also wants further.
How to play it: Jabbar to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 – 2.45pm: FILLIES & MARES MAIDEN PLATE (1300m)
This shapes nicely for Sunny Coast mare 5. Savarosa third-up. Was supported in the betting at big odds before hitting the line in a deeper race at the Gold Coast, and the nine-day back-up is a sign of stable confidence.
Dangers: Gold Coast mare 2. Deelosh is fourth-up, and overdue after missing a place as an odds-on favourite at Lismore, and this isn’t any stronger; while 7. Cherokee Girl who drew the inside; and 3. Peano Grigio third-up; can fight out the minor end of the prize.
How to play it: Savarosa to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 – 3.20pm: COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN PLATE (1300m)
With early fancy Mirror One unlikely to back up from an unplaced effort on Saturday, improving four-year-old 2. Brave Instinction can break through in a thin race after sticking on okay first-up at big odds.
Dangers: Expecting 3. Formula Excel to improve second-up after a fair debut run in Australia since the move from Hong Kong; while 7. Victory Beans heads the rest.
How to play it: Brave Instinction to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 – 3.55pm: MAIDEN HCP (1000m)
Back to the pure sprint trip in a race with more depth. Like home track mare 5. Chickerartie resuming off a smart soft track trial win. Starts in easier company here after tackling provincial opposition last time, and trainer has removed the blinkers.
Dangers: Another very lightly raced one resuming off a lengthy break, 6. Belle’s Boy is ready to rock off a dominant trial win, and is bred for speed. Watch the market aboard five-year-old 3. Lord Bronn who hasn’t raced for nearly eight months, and not publicly trialled, but draws well and is capable of firing fresh; while 10. Loud Attraction is a worthy exotics inclusion with a stronger rider going on.
How to play it: Chickeratie to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 – 4.35pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m)
Still over the five-furlong dash, and another one first-up, Coffs four-year-old 1. Bow is the best credentialed. Didn’t miss a place in four runs to start his career in autumn, including a smart maiden win at Grafton. Hasn’t officially trialled, but reportedly been working well and comes to hand quickly. Used to carrying big weights, and the drying track is also on his side.
Dangers: Don’t be put off by rival Coffs mare 10. Continuum who has carried the bridesmaid tag virtually all prep, but she loves this distance and a soft track. Fresh is best too for honest mare 3. Palawa Kani who has also bypassed official trials. The betting will tell a story aboard local five-year-old 2. Clifton Springs resuming off a near 10-month break and relocation to the Far North Coast. Both 7. Memphis Squaw who gets a soft run; and 8. Skoozi’s Flyer who draws to get cover behind a last start win in weaker grade.
How to play it: Bow to win and first four 1,10/1,2,3,7,8,10/ 1,2,3,7,8,10/ 1,2,3,7,8,10/ 1,2,3,7,8,10. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 – 5.10pm: CLASS 1 HCP (1400m)
Likely the most open race of the meeting, with plenty of chances. Like improving three-year-old 9. Frozen Prince who hasn’t been far away in his last two either side of the border. Suited by the extra 300m here, and Eagle Farm stable is underrated.
Dangers: Big watch on 2. Feirme Prince who reloads off a four-week break via a soft trial, and draws the inside. Gold Coast mare 1. All’s Fair went close third-up under a big weight, but more depth here. Keep safe 10. Brunel Kingdom dropping in weight; while included in exotics 5. Tycoon’s delight and 8. Sophia’s Lass who both won their maidens first-up.
How to play it: Frozen Prince to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 – 5.45pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1250m)
Another competitive battle for this grade to finish. Improving four-year-old 4. Kermantic peaks here fifth-up and dropping in class. Has been strong through the line in his last two up to BM 66 grade, and with enough speed on he can settle back from the wide draw and produce a superior closing final 400m burst.
Dangers: Plenty of them, headed by local mare and last start CL1 winner 7. Byron Eyes who drops sharply in weight for this tougher test. Third-up from the inside barrier, 5. La Petite Missile can land a good spot right behind the speed; while 1. Look A’like who has won two of his last three; and 9. Mychyna fourth-up can both run into a place.
How to play it: Kermantic to win. Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS
R1 2. JABBAR
R5 1. BOW
BEST VALUE
R7 4. KERMANTIC
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
