The Goodform Gameplan: Ballarat Saturday 29th August

It was hard not to be a little disappointed and slightly perplexed by the first-up run of ROCKNROLL RONNIE (6) last weekend but he is a one-paced warrior that will derive great benefit from that run. He’s also better served when drawn out wide as he isn’t gun-barrel straight at the start of is races and the gate seven draw offers him a chance to balance and then rush forward. In the unlikely event he found the front he should just win but at his current quote of $2.40 he is worth a wager even if he’s parked as expected. MISS MCGONAGALL (10) is the other leading chance but you’d want around $6 to get involved with her.

SUGGESTED BETS

$20 Win ROCKNROLL RONNIE at $2.20 of better

Top fluc is gone here which is the only aggravating aspect of the Game Plan at present because I Tweet my thoughts before I get here but I’m very keen on POWDERKEG (2). He has always been a horse of serious ability as his early Group 1 success would attest to and his recent trial win was as foreboding as you would ever see. My two concerns are his sometimes worrisome manners and the lack of Sprint Lane when there’s a chance he may hand up to BRANDLO PRINCE (6) in transit. But he is one horse I’m happy to back at an even shorter quote than I originally marked him as my confidence has only grown.

SUGGESTED BETS

$30 Win on Powderkeg (7) at $2.50 or better

This race represents a pretty sad story as I was very keen on JOONIOR BROWN (6) at $7.50 but when Auckland Red got scratched and he was tipped strongly on the Friday Form Panel yesterday his price evaporated and with his racing pattern I’m a lot less interested in backing him at $3.50 so now we’re staying out of the race completely.

SUGGESTED BETS: Nothing significant

My well known and profound love of exotic wagers has been moderated largely of late the way the cards have fallen but we can resume that love affair here as OUT TO PLAY (7) looms as a certain winner and SAHARA TIGER (6) should finish second or third at very worst. Have at it.

SUGGESTED BET:

Flexi Trifecta: 7/ 6/ 2: $30 gets 3000%

Flexi Trifecta: 7/ 6/ 1,3,4: $30 gets 1000%

Flexi Trifecta: 7/ 2/ 6: $10 gets 1000%

More exotic love available here as I see STRUVE (6) balancing up early then ruching forward to lead and win with I CAST NO SHADOW (9) almost certain to share the podium with him based on his excellent NZ for and stunning turn of speed. We may need to be a little tricky but those elements listed above should pave the way to success.

SUGGESTED BETS:

Flexi Trifecta: 6/ 9/ 3,5,8,10,12: $50 gets 1000%

Flexi Trifecta: 6/ 3,5,8,10,12/ 9: $20 gets 400%

We don’t promote The Exchange on this site but in all seriousness the best way of playing this fast class is risking IMSETTOGO (7) any way you can. I’ve been a huge fan of hers all prep but she is 50/50 to begin properly here and even if she does she has a host of fast beginners to get across. If she can’t do that then pain ensues. Originally I felt the best betting proposition in the race was MY SKYPOCKET (9) but he’s firmed a little so we’ll have less on him, more on the amazingly smart MAJESTUOSO (12) to win and something the Place on IZMOK (4) who is flying right under the radar at present.

SUGGESTED BETS:

$30 Win on Majestuoso at $3 or better

$10 Each Way on My Skypocket at $8.50 or better

$20 Place on Izmok at $5 or better the drum

Gotta say I am stunned by the continued support for SANTA CASA BEACH (6) here. He started $8 in a much easier 3YO race last start and found the front to win. Here he takes on two super smart youngsters in SAHARA SIROCCO (7) and PACIFICO DREAM (9) who on credentials should fight the race out between them. We could back both but I’m feeling exotic investments are the better way to go.

SUGGESTED BETS:

Flexi Trifecta: 9/ 7/ 5,6: $30 gets 1500%

Flexi Trifecta: 9/ 5,6/ 7: $12 gets 750%

Flexi Trifecta: 7/ 9/ 5,6: $20 gets 1000%

Flexi Trifecta: 7/ 5,6/ 9: $8 gets 400%

We’ll attack this final event through Quads but not of its own volition. If anything I would advocate for backing MAJESTIC CRUISER (2) who has led six times in his life for 4 wins and 2 silver medals IF you’re confident he can get wrest the lead off THE BULL PEN (1). I THINK he can but I’m not confident enough.

SUGGESTED BETS: Nothing significant