Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for Wednesday night at Ballarat.
Race 1:
OVERVIEW: KIMCHI (3) has performed well at his past three starts. He stormed home from last to grab third at Melton last start. If he can settle in a favourable position, he is a genuine winning chance. CALEDONIAN TERRA (9) led last start and just tired late to finish third behind the smart Emma Stewart-trained The Final Dance. He looks set to be saved for one run here and has the best sectional times in the field. GLENLINE (6) will need a little luck from the barrier, but he can produce a sharp finish when saved for one run. SKYZ ABOVE (1) won at this track when she was able to find the fence, and the race map looks favourable for her again here.
BACK: KIMCHI (3) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: KIMCHI (3), CALEDONIAN TERRA (9), GLENLINE (6), SKYZ ABOVE (1)
Race 2:
OVERVIEW: This looks like a race with plenty of winning chances. REASON TO LAUGH (2) raced in the breeze and stuck on well for fifth at Melton two starts ago. Last start at Shepparton, he hit the line well after enjoying a fence trip. He does lack gate speed, so he may not find the front here, but this is a drop in class. DI ANGELO (1) has drawn the ace barrier and should enjoy a favourable run. He will save ground and be right in the finish. THE DEMOCRAT (9) was good in defeat at Albury last start, fighting on strongly after leading before being narrowly beaten. He is likely to be saved for one run from this draw. ETIZ AMODEL (8) possesses a strong finishing burst when saved for one run. However, the awkward barrier is made more difficult by the absence of a sprint lane.
SELECTIONS: REASON TO LAUGH (2), DI ANGELO (1), THE DEMOCRAT (9), ETIZ AMODEL (8)
Race 3:
OVERVIEW: KEAYANG PHANTOM (6) has had two career starts for two second placings. Last start at Melton, he covered an extra 22 metres racing wide in a sharp 1:55 mile rate for the maidens. The barrier makes the task more difficult, but he is racing well. TYPHOON (3) and THE SPARKLER (2) bring very similar form into this event, with both lining up for their second career starts after finishing second on debut. TYPHOON (3) led for most of the journey on debut and looked impressive. He should improve with that run under his belt. THE SPARKLER (2) enjoyed a soft fence trip but held his own well, recording a slick 27.5-second final quarter. HALF AS TOUGH (7) was held up last start and, with clear running, could have won. He has ability, but the awkward barrier makes his task tougher. Also respecting ALWAYSTHEPRINCESS (5), who produced a much-improved second placing last start. It is also worth noting first starter TARAS GRACE (1) for Brent Murphy, who won a recent Maryborough trial in foggy conditions and has the advantage of the ace barrier. This is Brent’s first starter as a trainer, good luck!
BACK: KEAYANG PHANTOM (6) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG PHANTOM (6), TYPHOON (3), THE SPARKLER (2), HALF AS TOUGH (7)
Race 4:
OVERVIEW: THE ITALIAN DREAM (8) possesses a brilliant turn of foot and has the best sectional times in this event. Last start, she charged home but simply gave her rivals too much start. She will need to find the right gaps from the inside of the second row. POPPY POPSTAR (6) is a very talented mare at her best. She has finished in the top three at 12 of her past 14 starts and continues to race well. NO TELLING HEATHER (5) has returned to good form, breaking back into the winners’ list three starts ago. With the right run, she is a genuine first four chance. SHES SKY HIGH (9) is the highest-rated horse in the field and benefits from the claim of Tasmyn Potter. She should appreciate the barrier, which will allow her to settle early, while the drop in class is another positive. Also respecting CHAMPAGNES (2), who continues to finish in the money when she trots throughout. She rises in class here, making the task tougher, but has the ability to measure up again.
SELECTIONS: THE ITALIAN DREAM (8), POPPY POPSTAR (6), NO TELLING HEATHER (5), SHES SKY HIGH (9)
Race 5:
OVERVIEW: LIFE ON THE HILL (9) can get his manners wrong at the start, but when he is on his best behaviour, he has plenty of ability. Last start, he took shortcuts late and hit the line well. Barrier nine suits, as it gives him time to settle early. He has the best sectional times in this event. KEAYANG MINNESOTA (3) is a talented Volstead-sired trotter from the Lee stable, although her manners remain her biggest concern. She has had 10 starts and has only trotted all the way once, but that victory was dominant. If she trots throughout, she is the one to beat. However, history suggests she is more likely to make a mistake. WALKIN UNDERSTARZ (6) has endured a few awkward barriers and some bad luck but continues to produce handy performances. She has recorded the fastest last 800 metres of any runner in this field. TRUSCOTTS ELEGANCE (8) is a flashy chestnut with a nice turn of foot when saved for one run. Also respecting PIQUE (4) and ARGYLE MUSE (7).
BACK: LIFE ON THE HILL (9) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: LIFE ON THE HILL (9), KEAYANG MINNESTOA (3), WALKIN UNDERSTARZ (6), TRUSCOTTS ELEGANCE (8)
Race 6:
OVERVIEW: THEMIDNIGHTEXPRESS (5) may not have the best numerical form, but he has competed against some of the strongest horses in his two-year-old age group throughout his short career. Last start at Melton, he raced in the breeze in a fast-run event before tiring late. He will appreciate the drop in class, although the awkward barrier means he will still need some luck. CALEDONIAN RANGER (2) raced well in a handy field at Geelong last start. He has a good turn of foot and should enjoy a favourable race map. Similar to THEMIDNIGHTEXPRESS (5), LA CANTARICE (3) is another two-year-old who has been competing at a high level. She is consistent, competitive and has plenty of ability. SUPER CODE (1) can take advantage of the ace barrier and should enjoy a favourable run throughout.
SELECTIONS: THEMIDNIGHTEXPRESS (5), CALEDONIAN RANGER (2), LA CANTARICE (3), SUPER CODE (1)
Race 7:
OVERVIEW: Although she has a 30-metre handicap, this looks a very suitable race for KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (7). She has plenty of ability but has been plagued by poor manners throughout her career. Positively, she has shown improvement in that area at her recent starts and was a winner in standing start conditions not long ago. TWEEDLEDEE (8) has been out of the winners’ list for quite some time. However, this is a significant drop in class, although he does have to overcome a 40-metre handicap. ACOOL INVESTMENT (6) has been racing well and has recorded the best final quarter and last half times in this field. If she is close enough and saved for one run, she is another genuine winning chance. She also has to contend with a 30-metre handicap. AFRICAN GALA (3) can perform well at his best. He has a head start on his main rivals here, beginning from a 10-metre handicap.
BACK: KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (7) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (7), TWEEDLEDEE (8), ACOOL INVESTMENT (6), AFRICAN GALA (3)
Race 8:
OVERVIEW: THE PASA DOBLE (5) produced a solid performance when finishing second at Stawell last start after leading before taking a trail. He has the best sectional times on exposed form in this field. MINNIE MIA (1) resumed with a solid third and should take improvement from that run. She has the advantage of the ace barrier here. OLLIES DREAM (6) comes from the Sam Barker stable, which does a terrific job with a small team. At his two starts last year, he got his manners wrong, but some of his recent trials have been encouraging. Once he trots throughout, we will get a better guide to his ability. HIGH RELIABILITY (3) is a first starter for Brent Murphy who has had some ok trials. We will learn more here. Another interesting runner is the lightly raced MAJESTIC PHILLY (2), who has trialled significantly more than she has raced. We should learn more about her ability here.
SELECTIONS: THE PASA DOBLE (5), MINNIE MIA (1), OLLIES DREAM (6), HIGH RELIABILITY (3)
Race 9:
OVERVIEW: KEAYANG SEASIDE (4) is a smart performer who is rarely out of the placings. He looks the class runner in this field, although the awkward barrier makes his task a little tougher. FAMOUS CRIMES (7) broke through for an impressive maiden victory at Melton last start. The Courtney Slater stable is in outstanding form at the moment. SHAZZA LOVE (6) performs best when she is able to find the front, which appears unlikely here. However, she is a seven-time winner and looks well placed in this company. MUSELET (1) has been racing reasonably well recently and has the advantage of the ace barrier, which should allow him to enjoy a favourable run throughout.
BACK: KEAYANG SEASIDE (4) – 2 units (win)
SELECTIONS: KEAYANG SEASIDE (4), FAMOUS CRIMES (7), SHAZZA LOVE (6), MUSELET (1)
10-UNIT GAME PLAN
R1 #3 KIMCHI – 2 units (win)
R3 #6 KEAYANG PHANTOM – 2 units (win)
R5 #9 LIFE ON THE HILL – 2 units (win)
R7 #7 KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD – 2 units (win)
R9 #4 KEAYANG SEASIDE – 2 units (win)
EARLY QUADDIE
1,3,6,9/1,2,8,9/2,3,6,7/6,8,9
QUADDIE
3,6,9/1,2,3,5/6,7,8/1,5,6
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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