| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
01:14
|
TAB COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1265m
Looks a keen contest with No Ragrets and Zaindara pressing for the lead with Patrioticintention and Manhattan Dress close at hand. ZAINDARA (2) is a lightly raced filly with far more upside than her rivals. Stalked the leader and looked to have her chance but didn't quite finish off over 1200m at Murwillumbah last start. Backs up just 11 days later in what looks a far thinner race. Should be too good for these. PATRIOTICINTENTION (1) is a lightly raced six-year-old back from a 16-week spell. Best figure last prep was achieved in an all-the-way win over 1320m at Lismore. Usually needs a run or two but the lack of depth here brings him under notice. MANHATTAN DRESS (3) failed to threaten when first-up from a spell over this course and distance recently. Nicely drawn and drops 1 kg so a better run is on the cards. NO RAGRETS (7) was poor first-up over 1015m here. Might be looking for this sort of trip now so he deserves another chance. MOANA KOHALA (6) returning from a six-month spell can sneak into the frame. SUGGESTED PLAY: Zaindara to win. |
|
2
|
01:49
|
NBN NEWS COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE 1015m
Moderate pace from Mr Hot Stepper taking it up with Cianwood City and Luck Of The Draw on his back. AUSTRALASIA (8) has raced twice this prep and appreciated the drop in class from the last campaign. Good effort last start when she made late ground to finish third over 1100m at Murwillumbah. Coming back in trip is a query, but in a race of questionable quality she gets her chance. SOUTHAMPTON FLARE (2) is back after a 19-week spell. Transferred to the Dunn stable for the last couple of runs last prep and showed significant improvement. Two recent trials should have him ready to make an immediate impact. CIANWOOD CITY (5) has struggled to change gears in rain-affected ground at her three runs this time in work. Sees a dry track for the first time in her career so she could be a big improver. LUCK OF THE DRAW (4) ran a better race here at this trip last start when lining up for only the second time. Should be thereabouts again. First starter COSMIC FUN (9) didn't show a lot at her only trial but strong early market support suggests she has more to offer. SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Australasia. |
|
3
|
02:25
|
FRANGIPANI SKIN & MEDISPA CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1015m
Elronte should find the front with Call To Courage and Aquatier on her heels. ELRONTE (6) led for the judge and gave a kick but was overwhelmed close to home when resuming over this distance at Toowoomba last start. Led all the way to win with ease second-up last prep at Gatton. Sure to take plenty of catching. DARLING TAKE CARE (4) opened this prep with four top-three finishes, all at five furlongs, before a modest effort at the Gold Coast last time. Gets in nicely under today's scale so a return to form will not surprise. The sparingly raced filly CALL TO COURAGE (7) opened her account in a Lismore maiden over 1110m recently. Speedy three-year-old who should enjoy a lovely trail today so another big run seems likely. EXTREME SPIRIT (1) has been freshened up since a moderate effort over 1200m at Ipswich on 26 November. Hasn't won for almost three years but his best figures measure up - one for the exotics. AQUATIER (3) failed first-up at Eagle Farm but can improve back to her pet trip in an easier race. SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Elronte. |
|
4
|
02:59
|
MANCAVE BALLINA FAIR MAIDEN HANDICAP 1265m
It's likely to be tactical given scant early speed. SATURDAYS GIRL (12) failed first-up at the Gold Coast but it came as no surprise - the four previous fresh runs yielded nothing. Form last prep in Brisbane was respectable. Sure to improve with that run under the belt and in an even race on paper she is worth the gamble. SARAH'S SONNETS (2) started at a generous quote but ran a big race on debut last time out over 1200m at Beaudesert, closing off for third albeit a fair way off the winner. Blinkers go on today which may bring her along. DUBIOUS ROSE (1) is a four-year-old mare on debut for the Matthew Dunn stable. The best of her four trials was the most recent at Murwillumbah. Won't need to be anything special to test this field. SOUND THE BUGLE (13) went okay first-up at the Gold Coast and should appreciate the extra trip today. JOANJETT (7) made ground at Lismore last start and will appreciate this step up in distance. SUGGESTED PLAY: Saturdays Girl to score. |
|
5
|
03:33
|
VIRTUAL GOLF CENTRE BALLINA CLASS 3 BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP 1015m
Poseidon's Son and Back On De Quo possess good early speed. EAGLE HAWK STAR (1) returns from a six-month break. Raced largely in the metro area last prep and ran some nice races, including a strong third in a Randwick Highway. Good fresh performer whose two trials leading into this have been encouraging. EAGLE'S FIRE (6) had been racing well including a placing here at this distance two back before a big flop at the Gold Coast last time. Raced ungenerously and cast a plate so that failure may be explicable. Good enough to bounce back and play a big role. BACK ON DE QUO (7) showed pace but weakened out of it last start at the Gold Coast. Three runs here at this trip have resulted in three wins so it is not hard to make a case that he will return to form. POSEIDON'S SON (5) is at the races for the first time since July. Flies when fresh so keep him in mind. The speedy KIRRA'S SISTER (8) is in rare form and will give backers a great sight again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Eagle Hawk Star each-way in a competitive race. |
|
6
|
04:13
|
HARTLEYS FRESH MARKET BALLINA FAIR BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1920m
Born To Be Alive and Mishani Reactor to take up the running at a strong tempo. A small but even field. MAD ANA (3) is a very fit mare who returned to form last start, battling on well for third after racing on the pace in a BM66 over 2020m at Murwillumbah. Jumps up in the weights but this is easier. Sure to be in the finish again. GOOGAZ (13) is not the most reliable conveyance but his second over 1800m two back at the Gold Coast is a solid form reference. Placed two from two at today's trip so he must go down as one of the better hopes. BOKUDEN (6) went back from a wide gate at Beaudesert most recently and was never a hope. New to this trip but should give a good account. MISHANI REACTOR (1) has been freshened up since an easy win in a similar race here a month ago. Hard one to rule out. BORN TO BE ALIVE (5) bolted in at Kilcoy last start. Will go forward and take some catching again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Mad Ana just gets the verdict. |
|
7
|
04:53
|
100.9 ZZZFM CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1415m
Expecting a strong gallop with Call Out and Coco Jewel taking up the running over Gerry's Pick. INQUISITOR (5) led over 1200m at Murwillumbah last start but couldn't maintain the pressure and was swamped close to home. Has raced here at this distance once for a win. Sure to give them something to catch with a bit less pressure on today over the longer journey. FLYING ARGENTO (1) has transferred from Gary Portelli to Ben Hull and is back after a break of three months. Has never fired when fresh but this looks a softer first-up assignment than usual. Can bob up without surprising. CALL OUT (3) returned with a solid effort in a Warwick Class 3 last start. Down in grade and has won second-up before so this is not out of reach. MISHANI SUSPECT (6) won here last start over 1265m when second-up from a spell. Not a prolific winner so might struggle to repeat that effort, but worth throwing in the exotics. EXPLOSIVE POWER (2) can improve second-up over a bit more ground. SUGGESTED PLAY: Inquisitor to win. |
|
8
|
05:33
|
BALLINA RSL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1605m
A few on-pacers lining up so it should be keenly contested. Not a deep form race to close the card. BETA BETTER (8) has raced twice this prep, both times over 1200m, and failed to make an impression. Crying out for this sort of distance at this stage of the campaign. Good enough to turn things around in moderate company. GIAPPONESE (6) easily won his maiden here over 1400m two back. Outclassed last start in the Group 3 Grand Prix at Eagle Farm. Back in his right grade today so keep him in calculations. The lightly raced SPICY WINGS (2) appreciated the step up in distance and took out his maiden recently over 1550m at Murwillumbah. In good hands so further improvement looks assured. Veteran MAGIC IN ME (4) hasn't won in ages but he cannot be ruled out coming back to a BM58. Hard to make a case for the rest, with GIDDY GAN'S JOY (5) coming off a two-month break probably the pick of them. SUGGESTED PLAY: Beta Better on top. |
