OVERVIEW: This is a competitive event to open the Ararat Cup meeting with many winning chances. CASE FORTY EIGHT (12) has been in great form since joining Steven Fennell’s team, with five starts for two wins and three seconds. This is a big ask over the short trip from a wide draw, but he has the class and the best sectional times in the event. CALEDONIAN TERRA (3) had to do it tough last start at Hamilton, racing in the breeze and still finishing third. Prior to that he was a winner at Mt Gambier. He’s racing well and will enjoy the forward barrier. OPTIMAL (5) has been racing consistently well, highlighted by a good win at Hamilton last start. With luck, he will be flashing home. SHE WILL WANTANO (7) is a talented mare who can make her own luck, although she will need to from the awkward draw.

RACE 2:
OVERVIEW: This also looks a tough, open contest with many chances. MIDNITE DESIRE (3) should be able to map forward with Jordan Leedham’s driving style. He has been racing better than his numerical form suggests. KIMCHI (9) has a great barrier to follow through early without being pressured. He will likely be saved for one run and be flashing home late. ITTAKESLUV (8) is racing well and has good sectional times. She will be stuck on the fence and needs luck, but if it comes, she will be strong late. ZU HOFFEN (12) looked strong hitting the line to win at Melton two starts back. James Herbertson drove him there and takes the reins again. It’s a tough barrier, but Herbertson is well equipped to navigate a tricky draw.
SELECTIONS: MIDNITE DESIRE (3), KIMCHI (9), ITTAKESLUV (8), ZU HOFFEN (12)

RACE 3:
OVERVIEW: CALYPSO MISTRESS (3) has the best sectional times in this event and a forward barrier to use to her advantage. She had no luck last start at Ballarat but flashed home strongly. She looks ready to win. WHATA OPTIMIST (2) had to cover an extra 27 metres racing wide when winning at Shepparton last start. From barrier two, he shouldn’t get as far back. ASMILEANDAWINX (7) is second up and will improve from her first-up run. She’s a high-speed mare who will be flashing home. CALEDONIAN RANGER (1) is perfectly positioned as Ararat’s 810-metre track can favour horses on the fence. He has the gate speed to hold a good position.

OVERVIEW: This is a stand-start event with several horses in form. ATABOY CHARLIE (6) has finished in the top three in 11 of his last 12 starts. He is versatile and can make his own luck but will need to step cleanly from the 20-metre handicap. FLOATING MOUNTAIN (8) has been racing competitively and has the best recent sectional times in the field. He hasn’t seen stand-start conditions for some time, but if he gets the right run, he has a strong sprint. SONARMI JOH (9) thrives in stand-start conditions and was eye-catching at Mt Gambier last start, overcoming a 40-metre handicap and beaten just 2.8 metres. ACOOL INVESTMENT (10) is the best-rated horse in the field and carries the 40-metre handicap. He has been racing better than his numerical form suggests.

BACK: ATABOY CHARLIE (6) – 2.5 units (win)

OVERVIEW: PINNIE (10) is a top-quality mare who has spent much of her career chasing stars like Keayang Zahara and Jilliby Ballerini. She has multiple Group 1 placings and won last year’s Warragul Trotters Cup. She performs best over longer trips. The 40-metre handicap and a first-up run after a freshen-up make this a big ask, but if she’s right, she’s a major chance. AVANT GUARD (5) was only fair at Melton last start when race conditions didn’t suit. He was stuck on the fence but still ran home well. He prefers racing room, which he should get here, and off just 10 metres he has a significant head start on some key rivals. His Ballarat Trotters Cup run four starts back was outstanding and a repeat would see him hard to catch. MAXIMEZ (2) was eye-catching flashing home at Melton last start to be narrowly beaten. He is speedy, ultra-consistent and performs well on the country cup circuit. OUR MARVELLA (8) is a top-quality mare at her best and cannot be underestimated if she gets the right run.

BACK: PINNIE (10) – 2 units (win)

OVERVIEW: SANCHEZ (4) was brilliant last start, flashing home to finish second in the Group 3 4YO Bonanza on Hunter Cup night. He has competed against the best of his age group throughout his career. Third up now, he should be nearing peak fitness and looks the one to beat. ATA RANGI (6) raced competitively through the Summer of Glory support cards. He is versatile and, despite the awkward barrier, can make his own luck. GOLDEN TRIBE (11) was a talented juvenile who raced at the top level through his two- and three-year-old seasons. Now a four-year-old, he has always shown the promise to reach the top. The barrier is awkward but he is talented. MAXY WANTS TO PLAY (8) comes from the Aaron Dunn stable, which performs strongly on the country circuit. He is a powerful swooper and will be charging late with luck.

BACK: SANCHEZ (4) – 3 units (win)

OVERVIEW: KEAYANG PASSION (4) is a first starter for the Marg and Paddy Lee stable. She has won two recent trials and looks promising. FANTASY FLIGHT (2) is a well-bred performer for trainer Kyle Marshall. The stable has a good opinion of him, although he is still green and may take time to reach his best. He should suit racing forward on the small track. BUBBLE OVER (1) was solid on debut, working in the breeze and battling on well. He will improve from that run and is better placed from barrier one. KEAYANG ALABAMA (6) lines up for his third start. A stablemate to Keayang Passion, he ran quick time last start and only lost contact with smart runners in a 26.6 final split. He will improve again but needs luck from the draw.
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG PASSION (4), FANTASY FLIGHT (2), BUBBLE OVER (1), KEAYANG ALABAMA (6)

OVERVIEW: ZANDA MAN (3) is a talented performer rising quickly through the grades. He put together four straight wins earlier in his campaign before contesting feature races at his past two starts against top-level opposition. He looks a star of the future. TORQUE POWER (2) has strong recent sectional times and should be able to use the barrier to secure a forward position. He’s racing well and maps favourably. OUR ULTIMATE GRACY (4) has won her last two starts since joining Kerryn Manning’s team, leading on both occasions. This is a step up and she may have a different map, but she is in form. WILD BULL (6) is a competitive type who keeps fighting. He’s racing well and will need to make his own luck.

BACK: ZANDA MAN (3) – 2.5 units (win)

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