By Neil Evans
Track likely Good 4 and rail True
Race 1 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN PLATE (1300m): |
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Gold Coast four-year-old 2. Cosmo Kramer drifted in betting resuming before finishing into a place, suggesting he can improve enough to claim this. Trainer has tinkered with the gear, and draws to get the gun trail right behind the speed.
Dangers: UK-bred three-year-old 8. Thisland Is Myland finally makes his debut for a strong Gold Coast stable off a string of drawn out trials at home. Tricky draw, but this is weak, and some rain would boost his bid. Gap to the rest headed by 5. Testabello who can improve second-up off a long break.
How to play it: Cosmo Kramer to win and quinella 2 and 8. Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 2 FILLIES & MARES MAIDEN PLATE (1300m): |
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A few more chances in the girls' edition headed by four-year-old 1. Diana Rocks who can strike second-up sitting back behind what should be a strong speed. Found the line resuming off a lengthy break when the market didn't want a bar of her, but she presents better here, drawn to get cover off the fence.
Dangers: Stablemate filly 8. Squeeze Diz can peak fourth-up over an ideal distance; while 6. Tinipit third-up; and 7. Capital Gamble at her second start from a low draw; both go in exotics.
How to play it: Diana Rocks to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 4YO & UP MAIDEN HCP (1000m): |
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Tricky sprint for the maidens. Resuming four-year-old 6. Hypertension normally comes to hand quickly, and only needs to be within a couple of lengths from the leaders on or near the turn to emerge first-up. Tackled much deeper maiden company last prep, and has a 50 percent place rate from 14 starts.
Dangers: Watch the betting on 3. Superfield who resumes without having publicly trialled; while Benfica four-year-old 1. Beneficient debuts in winkers behind a smart trial. Improving 5. Look A'like is on the next line second-up from the inside draw.
How to play it: Hypertension to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1400m): |
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Very average group here meaning most have a chance. Like the value of local mare 1. Freya's Cloak deep into the prep, and first time back over the five furlongs for a while. Was only collared in the last few strides in a much better race at Lismore two runs back before dropping out at Grafton last start. Gets a useful 3kg claim, and will take plenty of running down around here.
Dangers: Resuming five-year-old 4. Furphy will be hard to hold out. Has a smart fresh record, and was tackling much deeper Highway opposition through winter.
How to play it: Freya's Cloak to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 CLASS 1 HCP (1400m): |
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Capable mare 6. Unearthed has been disappointing this prep when solid in the market, but after four runs back, this is the thinnest field she's me. Draws to sit off the speed with cover.
Dangers: Progressive three-year-old 4. Andy can win again stepping up in distance. Swept home from well back to salute two weeks ago, and this isn't much stronger. Gold Coast four-year-old 1. Brave Nick resumes from a soft barrier off two quiet trials, with winkers back on. Include improving three-year-old 8. First Crusade who defied a getting drift to charge home and land his maiden second-up.
How to play it: Unearthed each way and boxed trifecta 1,4,6,8. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1250m): |
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Honest Qld filly 8. Selling Sunset is ready to win again third-up. Couldn't run down the winner at Lismore, but better suited here carrying 1kg less.
Dangers: Progressive three-year-old 3. Hostwin Toronado is the clear threat third-up from the inside draw. Did his best work late resuming before being taken to the front at the Gold Coast in heavy ground and careered away as a hot favourite. Honest mare 9. Nanakorobi Yaoki held off the top selection third-up, and in light after the junior rider's 4kg claim; while both 2. Vivendo Il Sogno and 5. Endangered Species; can run into a place at bigger odds.
How to play it: Selling Sunset to win and quinella 3 and 8. Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS:
R2 1. DIANA ROCKS
R3 6. HYPERTENSION
BEST VALUE:
R5 6. UNEARTHED
All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Ballina meeting