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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Ballina meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

7. Jewels Statement may hold the key to this race as the other major chances are well enough exposed. Just the one trial back in October but closed it off nicely, draws one and if the soft track is no concern she should run well.

Dangers: 11. Romi just missed at Kempsey two starts back then on speed as favourite and found one better again in a similar race here. Going well and no reason she won’t be in the finish again. 3. The Statement hasn’t had the best of luck in his past couple and comes through the same race at Ballina where he ran an even fifth. Blinkers go on and well worth another chance. 2. Mofeed had support and raced on speed in the race in question and boxed on fairly for third. Had his chance there but must be included again.

How to play it: Jewels Statement WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Jewels Statement runs second in a Coffs Harbour trial in October

5. Watchguard made a smart debut back in July at Lismore, beating a handy one, and on the evidence of his two recent trials he’s come back in good shape. Appears to have drawn well and the track shouldn’t be a worry. Good chance.

Dangers: 3. Supidoman was a well backed favourite first-up in a similar race earlier this month and ran on into a close third. Fitter for that and doesn’t need to improve a lot to go close. 1. Rocky Rogue probably wants a bit further than the 1000m but he didn’t do anything wrong last prep before his final run when caught wide and he dropped out. No trial but showed enough last prep to say he could surprise. 4. More Than A Star hasn’t raced since October when an even fourth at Scone in a handy BM66. Switch to this area could be significant and bears close watching.

How to play it: Watchguard WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Watchguard runs second in a Ballina trial on December 26

11. Maurizma did more than enough first-up despite being safely held by the winner over a shorter trip to say she can improve quickly out to the mile. There was support to say she’d run well, and she did, and this looks to be a nice race for her.

Dangers: 13. Tosen Dreamer is the logical danger with her run of seven successive placings. Hard to find an excuse for her in three runs back but she’s consistent, well drawn, and entitled to be right in the finish. 4. I’m A Ruler resumes from a break after being a beaten favorite at his last couple at the Gold Coast. Given one trial and worth keeping safe. 7. Son Of Heroic has been thereabouts at his last couple and stayed on for third at Lismore when up sharply in trip. Fitter and has each-way claims.

How to play it: Maurizma WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Maurizma runs third at Ballina on January 5

4. Leighton Hill makes his debut in a very winnable maiden and his most recent trial at Wyong showed he’s ready to run a nice race first-up. No real exposure to a soft track but draws nicely and if he runs up to his trial then he’ll be competitive.

Dangers: 2. Desert Safari has the wide gate to overcome but tends to roll forward. Fitter for a couple of trials and has placed in three of six starts. Has to be respected. 1. Bravezel was solid in the market and produced a handy second when resuming at Lismore. Sure to be better for it and doesn’t need to improve a whole lot to break through. 6. Singular was a bit disappointing when midfield as favourite on debut at Lismore. Perhaps the extra ground will assist and he could be an improver.

How to play it: Leighton Hill WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Leighton Hill’s trial at Wyong on December 15

4. Deep Blast had his first run for the new stable at Ballina and while a drifter in betting hit the line nicely into second. Senior rider on, fitter and draws well. If he backs up that fresh effort then he’s right in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Another Spirit is flying at the moment following an upset Kempsey win on good ground with a runaway victory on a heavy track at Inverell. Up 5kg but hard to ignore given his versatility lately. 2. Hauraki Gulf was narrowly beaten in the Armidale Newmarket and meets Another Spirit 2kg better for a 1.6 length defeat at Kempsey last month. Seems to like the sting out and has to be included. 5. Al Ash Lad might find 1000m a bit sharp but he did place at 1100m fresh last time in. Won three of six last prep including a Highway and will improve on whatever he does here.

How to play it: Deep Blast WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

Deep Blast runs second at Ballina on January 5

10. Own Tomorrow really owned the race from a wide gate here last time and put almost six lengths on her rivals to score a maiden win. Obviously up in class but she’ll likely look to lead again and repeat the dose. The one to beat.

Dangers: 7. Spillify is hard to fault with successive Lismore wins in the past month or so and given both have been on soft or heavy ground she’ll get the ideal conditions again. Only has to hold her form to be competitive. 11. Boulanger won nicely at Murwillumbah first-up then total forgive run at Coffs Harbour after racing wide. Was a big drifter in betting there too. Blinkers off and soft gate gives him a chance to lift. 5. Cabsav is usually around the mark and hit the line well into third at Taree last time, after a narrow defeat at the same track. Each-way chance again.

How to play it: Own Tomorrow WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

Own Tomorrow wins at Ballina on January 5

***BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY***

1. Eaglemont is racing in super form and looked comfortable winning easily at Doomben a few weeks ago at the mile. Will need to hold his spot from an inside gate but he handles all ground and can be expected to be in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Without Revenge is the logical danger with Listed placings behind Acquitted at his last two in Brisbane. Doesn’t look a lot between him and Eaglemont based on their efforts in the Little Dance, he’ll be on speed and hard to beat. 9. Beckford is handy on his day and could be an upset chance. Placed in the Armidale Cup and ran okay at Eagle Farm just before Christmas. Tickover trial since and has some claims. 10. Beef Week Princess carried 64kg to victory over this course in much lesser company a few weeks back, drops 10kg and she's not without a place hope.

How to play it: Eaglemont WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Eaglemont wins at Doomben on December 30

1. Military Kings started favourite in a very similar race here a few weeks ago and gained an inside run to just miss. Has been a bit hit and miss to date and given he tends to get back a wide gate shouldn’t worry. No reason he can’t be a player.

Dangers: 6. Always Hunting started a short priced favourite and ran right up to it to win nicely enough at Lismore two weeks or so ago. Also drawn wide but is consistent and sure to be around the money again. 2. Guts ‘N’ Glory is rarely far away and finished a close up fourth on a heavy at the Sunshine Coast last time out. Track in the soft range would be ideal for him and he’s an each-way chance. 10. Irish Exchange backed up a couple of placings with a breakthrough win in a small field at Murwillumbah a month ago. Placed here three back and from the inside draw will get his chance.

How to play it: Military Kings E/W ($14 TAB Fixed Odds).

Military Kings runs second at Ballina on January 5

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s Ballina meeting