Bronte Nieuwenburg has outlined her selections and suggested game plan for Thursday's eight-race card at Ballarat.

R1 – 6.30pm – Ballarattrottingclub.Com.Au Pace – 1710m

1 – Sao Paulo Simba

3 – Kwick Sand

11 – Plains In Heaven

10 – Remi Lou

Sao Paulo Simba is a smart gelding prepared by Michael Stanley. He has had two wins from three starts and is very well bred. Even though he’s only had three starts, he already has the second-best recent sectional times in this event (the best being Plains In Heaven, who has the wide barrier over the short trip). His gate speed is a bit of a question mark, as there’s significant room for improvement. He should be winning, especially if he can hold a forward position.

BACK: 1 Sao Paulo Simba – 2 Units (win)

R2 – 7.06pm – Cooke & Foley Pace – 2200m

12 – Breathe Easy

6 – Home And Dry

9 – Hanover Jack

4 – Ona Merry Dance

Talented young driver Ewa Justice takes the drive on Breathe Easy for the first time tonight. Although his numerical form doesn’t look great, his recent runs have been really strong, and he’s been unlucky not to finish closer. On average, he has the best recent times. Navigating barrier 12 may be tricky, but I am happy to stick with him tonight.

BACK: 12 Breathe Easy – 2 Units (win)

R3 – 7.36pm – Ballarat Mower Centre Pace – 1710m

3 – Shazza Love

11 – Cinquanta

9 – Blue Miki

2 – Jiving Fitz

On exposed form, Shazza Love looks to have found a very winnable race here. The two horses drawn inside her are a bit of an unknown, but she should likely find the fence and, from there, be too good.

BACK: 3 Shazza Love – 2 Units (win)

R4 – 8.06pm – Alfredton Laundry Pace – 2200m

8 – Seathestars

11 – Odin

2– Foregone Conclusion

4 – Royal Saxon

R5 – 8.36pm – Woodlands Stud Trot – 2200m

8 – Megaband

4 – Kota Bharu

7 – Coconut Mickey

10 – La Volonte

Second-up in Australia since moving from New Zealand, forget his first run where he got it wrong. Megaband was very impressive in his last start in New Zealand. He got shuffled back but had to loop the field late and he was strong when hitting the line. He’s well-bred and an impressive-looking type. I am happy to give him another chance here.

BACK: 8 Megaband – 1 Unit (win)/ 1 Unit (place)

R6 – 9.06pm – 7+ Trot – 2200m

11 – Blackrange Glory

3 – Jessicas Story

7 – Charlie Walker

4 – With Aplomb

Blackrange Glory has poor early manners, which have cost him recently. However, he is racing nearly three seconds better than the rest of the field. If he can trot safely all the way, he should be winning.

BACK: 11 Blackrange Glory – 2 Units (win)

R7 – 9.37pm – Southern Cross Business Machines Trot – 1710m

9 – Romantic Nina

7 – My High Peak

3 – Rocky Valley

4 – Dels Destiny

R8 – 10.06pm – Del-Re National Foods Maiden Pace – 1710m

8 – Samkerr

3 – Clara Rocks

4 – American Victory

1 – Happenstbabeachboy

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 with a $100 bankroll 1 unit equals $10.

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