| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
01:20
|
ROOFING CRAFTSMEN COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP 1300m
Rainsitpours has the pace to lead in what is likely to be a moderate tempo.
DEODEE (3) returned to form last start with an eye-catching second over 1206m at Grafton last start, coming from last at one stage. Draws the fence and meets a very plain bunch so this is her chance. RAINSITPOURS (7) should dictate terms and if left alone is the clear threat. Back in trip after failing over 1526m at Lismore last time out. Nicely drawn and gets in well after Farr's claim so give him another chance. MISS GRAYSEA (5) returned a good figure when a close third over 1215m at Coffs Harbour two back. Failed to fire at Grafton since that run but this looks the right race for a return to form. STRATTON (8) hasn't threatened in three runs this prep but a little step up in distance may see some improvement. TRAVELLER (9) did his best work late last start at the end of 1206m at Grafton so this slightly longer trip should suit. SUGGESTED PLAY: Deodee to win. |
|
2
|
01:55
|
PROJECT IRRIGATION BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP 1000m
Strong tempo likely with several going forward, headed by Top Bird and Missy No Nay.
THE GAMBLING GREEK (1) returns from a 144-day spell. Class runner of this field whose highlight last prep was a 1.4 length fourth in a $125k three-year-old quality over 1110m at Doomben. Trialling well and only needs to be partially wound up to take care of these. JEWELS STATEMENT (4) will have admirers after her dogged all-the-way win over 1106m at Grafton last time out. Has been very good in her two appearances here at five furlongs. Just needs to slot in from the wide gate to be right in the finish. MISSY NO NAY (5) disappointed at Beaudesert last start. Big chance if she recaptures the form that saw her lead all the way in a BM60 over this distance at the Gold Coast two back. DE FORZA (6) showed the benefits of a 53-day let-up when he led and dominated over this trip at Coffs Harbour recently. Drawn to play a significant role again. BARRON (11) is a consistent sprinter who may find some of these a bit slick but watch for him late. SUGGESTED PLAY: The Gambling Greek to win. |
|
3
|
02:30
|
TAB COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1590m
A race that lacks early pressure.
GIOIA RIVER (6) was six weeks between runs so his tiring effort over 1410m at Grafton last start for new trainer John Shelton can be forgiven. Form prior to that was impressive in the Riverina, including an eye-catching second two back over this trip at Wagga. Can improve out of sight. TRUE FAIRY (1) races back in the field so it makes the job tough for her. Again gave away a start last time out over the mile at Coffs Harbour before working home well. A lack of tempo here might be an issue but she is too honest to leave out of calculations. EASTOWIN (10) is a very hard one to catch. Scored narrowly over 1550m at Murwillumbah three back before a couple of failures. In the mix if in the mood. RISK FOR REWARD (3) has found the line well but just missed the placings in shorter races at his last couple. Best form comes at Ballina so he can feature without surprising. VIADELAMORE (2) hasn't been too far off them of late and a top four finish is on the cards. SUGGESTED PLAY: Trusting Gioia River to turn things around. |
|
4
|
03:05
|
VIRTUAL GOLF CENTRE BALLINA MAIDEN HANDICAP 1590m
Decent sized field but it lacks any obvious pace. SEA ME DANCE (13) was run off her legs first-up over 1200m at Doomben but did work through the gears in the final stages to be beaten just 3.6 lengths. That was her first run since arriving in the Marcus Wilson stable. Far better placed out to this trip and against modest opposition she looks the testing material. LAUNCHER (1) has thrived since landing in the Allan Chau barn this prep, filling minor placings on each occasion. Very good effort to hold on for second over this trip at Eagle Farm last time. Looms as the obvious danger. ON ANY TUESDAY (11) weakened late but was only beaten 3.6 lengths when resuming over 1280m at Muswellbrook recently. Draws a far better gate and needs this trip so watch for sharp improvement. SHARE TRADER (14) struggled over a longer trip at Doomben last start. Lightly raced three-year-old who can improve back to this journey in an inferior maiden. ICEWATER (4) caught the eye at Lismore last time and will be tough to hold out. SUGGESTED PLAY: Sea Me Dance and Launcher hard to split - back both if the market allows. |
|
5
|
03:40
|
BALLINA FAIR SUPER MAIDEN PLATE 1000m
Tricky one to map with a number of debutants but over this trip there is good speed anticipated. BETTA THAN PRESLEY (2) continues to race well without winning, the latest offering a tiring third over 1210m at Lismore. Worried by the fade at the end of that race but the Sears stable back him up nine days later so trust all is well. Too good for these on his best figures. LOVECATS (11) is the interesting runner. Transferred from the Hayes stable to Matthew Dunn since a mediocre effort on Ballarat Synthetic seven weeks ago. Nicely drawn and her best Victorian rating stands up in this company. ZHONGXIN KOALA (9) returns from a three-month spell. Best of three runs in the maiden prep was a one-length defeat on debut at Ipswich. Blinkers on today - can win if primed as he was at the start of the last campaign. ZELLWEGER (13) is a Zousain filly on debut for Marcus Wilson. Recent trials have been encouraging. Betting watch advised. TIDAL POINT (12) wasn't far away first-up at the Sunshine Coast and is open to plenty of improvement. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Betta Than Presley but wary of Lovecats. |
|
6
|
04:15
|
BALLINA RSL BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP 1300m
Expecting Next Pay Run to find the lead but there will be plenty of pressure over the sprint course. Speedy mare KEIKO SAY (12) is progressing at a great rate this prep, racking up consecutive wins over 1215m at Coffs Harbour. Just held on to win her maiden two back then led for home and was far more dominant in a Class 1 last start. Should handle the step up in trip so at the same weight as last time another victory is on the cards. WRITTEN FAME (2) has produced good figures all prep, the latest effort a game third over 1350m at Ipswich five weeks ago. Has his share of weight but should be right there at the business end again. VACILLATION (9) returned in fine order at Beaudesert recently, showing intent from barrier rise then battling on well to be beaten narrowly. Has won second-up before so he should hold that form. NEXT PAY RUN (11) wasn't too far off the winner when resuming at Grafton last start. In the mix from a perfect draw. NEED FOR SPIETH (13) dominated first-up at Grafton and can go to this level without surprising. SUGGESTED PLAY: Keiko Say to chalk up the hat trick. |
|
7
|
04:50
|
GOOD LUCK NICK MEANEY CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1250m
Deep Stealth, Need For Spieth and Olivershare can settle forward in a race lacking a designated leader. NEED FOR SPIETH (16) returned from a lengthy spell with a dominant all-the-way win over 1206m at Grafton last start. Lightly raced colt who is an untapped talent. Nicely drawn and although meeting a far deeper field today he has the ability to match them. ASSENT (5) hasn't been far away in his two runs this time in work, most recently missing the placings narrowly over this trip at Lismore after travelling on a limb. Big chance to return to the winner's list with a little more luck in running. NATIONAL INTEREST (8) came from near the tail to record a barnstorming maiden win recently over this distance at Grafton. Took forever to break the ice but might be worth following now. PLATINUM GIFT (7) has opened this prep with a couple of nice efforts in sharper sprints. Gets out to this trip at just the right stage of the campaign. EVERY HEART (2) has been kept fresh since a reasonable return at Doomben 39 days ago. Wide draw his greatest enemy today. SUGGESTED PLAY: Need For Spieth to salute again. |
