Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for Thursday night at Ballarat.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: The better performers here have sticky barriers, which could make for an interesting tactical race. THEROUX (11) got back into the winners’ circle last start after a campaign of good racing. He had to make a three-wide move from last and still hit the line well. He now has the winning confidence. GLENLINE (12) is a good swooper who stormed home well last start for second. If he gets some luck, he is right in this. SHIRALEE (6) looks the best of the horses on the front line. She is racing well and, although her barrier does not look great on paper, she can get ahead of her main rivals early. HOME AND DRY (10) has probably not had ideal race maps at his past few starts. He is racing okay and, if he can follow one of the other top chances forward, he can be eye-catching late. Also respecting the emergency GOZO MAJOR (9) if he gains a start. He has the best sectional times and an ideal barrier on this track.
BACK: THEROUX (11) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: THEROUX (11), GLENLINE (12), SHIRALEE (6), HOME AND DRY (10)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: This is an interesting maiden trot. There are three first starters here, but also experienced performers, including NEDZA THRILLER (13), who is having his 71st start in the same field. SOLO SAPPHIRE (1) is bred to be a nice pacer, but she trots. That can often be a recipe for a high-speed trotter. She did everything right on debut last start at Cranbourne and hit the line well. Barrier one can be awkward for an inexperienced trotter, but if she gets away safely, she is well placed here. MOSLEY (2) is a first starter mare by Majestic Son. She has trialled okay at Maryborough in slow time and will appreciate barrier two if she trots safely. SONS GOTABITE (5) is another first starter by Majestic Son. He has had quite a few okay trials leading into his debut and is a winning chance here. THE PASO DOBLE (6) is the third first starter, a son of What The Hill, who won a recent Maryborough trial.
SELECTIONS: SOLO SAPPHIRE (1), MOSLEY (2), SONS GOTABITE (5), THE PASO DOBLE (6)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: BUCKLES FOR BERRY (3) flashed home well to win impressively two starts back at Ballarat. Last start she was okay, but raced roughly under pressure. She is a trotting mare in form and should be able to map well from barrier three. NO TELLING HEATHER (1) is a nice mare on her day. She hit the line nicely for second last start and has the ace barrier to use to her advantage. CALABASAS (5) is still learning what racing is all about. When she trots, she has ability. Her manners have been good at her past two starts and she looks ready to get back into the winners’ circle. ZOOLU (8) was beaten only 13.7 metres last start in the Group 1 NSW Trotters Oaks. The start prior was an impressive win at Maryborough. She is in form, but has a sticky barrier here.
BACK: BUCKLES FOR BERRY (3) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: BUCKLES FOR BERRY (3), NO TELLING HEATHER (1), CALABASAS (5), ZOOLU (8)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: LAZENBY (1) looks well placed in this event. He should have enough gate speed to have the option to lead or find a suitable horse to trail behind. His last two runs have produced good seconds and he is in career-best form since joining the Sam Barker stable. IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (4) has had two starts since joining the Carson Millar team. First up, she raced in the breeze and needed the run for fitness. She then went on to win well at Geelong last start and should improve again here. MEDIA MOGUL (5) has put forward a few nice runs this campaign, including a win at Terang two starts ago. With luck, he can be flashing home here. MISS DOOBEE (8) has had six starts for one career win at Shepparton, which was eye-catching, although it was in maiden company. She will need luck from the barrier, but is racing okay.
BACK: LAZENBY (1) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: LAZENBY (1), IFYOULOVEMELETMEGO (4), MEDIA MOGUL (5), MISS DOOBEE (8)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: WHATS THE TEA (5) did it tough to win a similar race from the same barrier last start. He has a great relationship with driver James Herbertson and can go back-to-back. BETTOR MAN (4) has been good since joining the Brad Angove team. He has had four starts for the stable and missed a placing only once, when he galloped. He is a tough horse, but also has the gate speed to get forward. SCAR (7) is an experienced trotter who has been racing well, but needs to overcome a sticky barrier here. ONAWINGANDAPRAYER (2) was a winner at this track two starts ago when finding the fence and looks likely to map well again from barrier two.
BACK: WHATS THE TEA (5) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: WHATS THE TEA (5), BETTOR MAN (4), SCAR (7), ONAWINGANDAPRAYER (2)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: SEASIDE LADY (2) has the gate speed to map positively here. She has been close to breaking through for her maiden victory recently and finds a suitable race. BOBBYS ROOM (7) is having his third career start. His previous two runs have both been thirds at Terang. He has a tricky barrier here, but looks to be one of, if not the best horse in this field. HANORA (5) is a well-bred mare having her second career start. She did everything right on debut, but was well beaten. She has had some good trials and should improve from that first run. JUST LIKE NUGGET (8) has been racing consistently well recently, placing in four of his last five starts. The one run he missed a placing, he was retired from the race with a flat tyre. With luck here, he is a good each-way chance.
SELECTIONS: SEASIDE LADY (2), BOBBYS ROOM (7), HANORA (5), JUST LIKE NUGGET (8)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: THATS KEVIN (7) broke through for his maiden victory last start at Terang. He had to do it tough in the run, but was just too good. On that performance, he looks like he has quite a few wins in store. COLOSIMO (8) has had only eight career starts and looks to have his share of ability. He has never finished outside the first four. He showed an eye-catching turn of foot last start when second at this track. He is still learning about racing, but looks like he will make a nice horse. GALLICO (6) is ultra consistent, having missed a placing only four times in his career. He is second up this preparation and will improve from his last start when narrowly beaten on this track. MONSIEUR FLAMEL (4) is one of the more experienced horses in this race, stepping out for start 106. If he is in a striking position, he has a fast quarter he can use to his advantage.
BACK: THATS KEVIN (7) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: THATS KEVIN (7), COLOSIMO (8), GALLICO (6), MONSIEUR FLAMEL (4)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R1 #11 THEROUX – 2 units (win)
R3 #3 BUCKLES FOR BERRY – 2 units (win)
R4 #1 LAZENBY – 2 units (win)
R5 #5 WHATS THE TEA – 2 units (win)
R7 #7 THATS KEVIN – 2 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
6,10,11,12/1,2,4,5,6/1,3,5,7,8/1,4
QUADDIE
1,4/4,5/2,4,5,7,8/6,7,8
For all your harness form in one place go to goodform.thetrots.com.au
** A betting unit is typically a percentage of the total bankroll or the amount of money you are willing to risk on a particular bet – for example 1 unit is 10% of your bankroll, therefore a $100 bankroll 1 unit equals $10
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