Ballarat 16 Aug 2026
GOING: H(9)
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Ecycle Solutions JJ Houlahan Hurdle 3250m Track: Heavy 8 Clear (Max: 14) Rail: Out 10m Entire Circuit. (Pent: 6.41) |
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Disappointing to only get a field of four and hard to go past THE CUNNING FOX (1) despite spotting weight to all rivals. He's got 69.5kg because he's already competed with distinction at this level, something the other runners can't boast. Returned to winning form last start, thumping the horse who went on to win the Grand National Hurdle. Looks his race to lose. BITCOIN (2) is the roughie of the race, but he might be ready to show something. Showed promise over the jumps last year and hasn't seen a hurdle race yet this year and there's not a lot left for him after this, so suspect it's been a late-season target. Plenty of merit to his flat run last start when not beaten far. UNTETHERED (3) has found top form late in the season and while this is a step up on the past couple, his confidence is sky high. SUGGESTED PLAY: The Cunning Fox to win.
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| 1 | x6801 |
THE CUNNING FOX
PATRICK PAYNE 8YO GREY GELDING 69.0KG J V O'Neill, L R Buller, Mrs D J Duddy, Mrs L Harris, G Thiele, R M Allport, N D Rance, Dr D S Karpin & Power Thoroughbreds (Mgr: W Power) Useful type. Freshened for 35 days. Last run ran on from midfield and won by 7 len Hamilton Hdle-Swp on July 12 over 3400m on heavy track defeating Andy Win with 69.5kg at $2.60 in a hurdle. Start before ran last at Sandown-Lakeside Bm70 on July 8 over 2125m, on a wet track; 6 len behind Second Nature carrying 56kg at $17. Found his best form now. All set to continue the fine recent jumping form. |
3 TOM RYAN |
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| 2 | 41x05 |
BITCOIN
JESSICA PATEMAN 7YO BAY GELDING 65.0KG B J Spicer, D C Morison, Prestige Racing 3 (Mgr: S S Roth), A M Opie, G Kaparos, I McLean, C R Fisher, B P Morrissey, J Morrissey & Mrs L A McLean Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up ran last at this track Bm66 on June 12 over 2036m, on heavy track; 20 len behind Amleto with 59.5kg at $31. Last start finished fifth of 10 runners at Sandown-Hillside 0 - 66 on July 22 over 2400m, on slow going 3 len behind Shultzy with 59.5kg at $61. Definite winning chance. Back to the jumps for the first time this prep and showed promise last time in. |
1 WILL GORDON |
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| 3 | 20511 |
UNTETHERED
PATRICK KEARNEY 7YO BAY GELDING 65.0KG P Kearney, P Rafferty, A Rafferty, C S McIntyre, W R Lynn, Country 2 Coast 2.0 (Mgr: M Fritsch), G J Mitchell, Ms M S Kaminski, Maltese Skippy (Mgr: B Johnston), D M Heslin, G I Mackay, G J Paten, K D Pitt, P Mannix & S Inglis Chasing a hat-trick. Last start raced just off the speed and boxed on; won by 0.8 len Casterton Hdle on August 9 over 3500m on rain affected going defeating Hula Beat with 70.5kg at $2.80 in a jumps. Start to post a big 4 len win. Hamilton Mdn Hdle-Sw on July 12 over 3200m in the wet defeating Gripping with 69.5kg at $6 in a hurdle. This tougher than past couple, but confidence is high. |
2 D HORNER JNR |
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| 4 | 25123 |
FLASHLIGHT
PATRICK PAYNE 6YO BAY GELDING 65.0KG Farmhouse Holdings Pty Ltd (Mgr: P B Payne), D D K Racing (Mgr: K De Souza), J L Travaglia, Miss G M Prebble, J Giardina, J H Batchelor, M J Sheahan, Mrs S G Mills, W A McTaggart, B W Mcavaney, M Leithhead, T Alcock, H Cowen & J P A Sist Racing well. Last run finished third in a small field at Casterton Hdle on August 9 over 3500m, on slow going 7 len behind Untethered with 71.5kg at $1.50. The start before that; ran on from midfield; finished second in a small field at Coleraine Hdle on July 19 over 3300m, on slow going 0.8 len behind Split carrying 71kg at $2.35. Continues to make headway. Last run not a true indication of his ability. |
1 DEAN PARKER |
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