Ballarat Racing Tips: Monday, November 2nd

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

Odds Last Updated: March 2, 2021, 6:16pm (AEDT)

There are a couple of interesting runners here, (6) La Pietra comes back to the track after around 200 days away. The daughter of Pierro has had five races starts but has yet to break the maiden. Her races have not been terribly convincing, but her last start she did come third behind some smart ones in Smoke Bomb & Dance Ready. That form should be good enough to be winning a maiden. She has had a jump out win prior to coming here. She gets deserved favouritism.

The other runner in the market is (13) Transpolar who came third in her most recent start at Mornington over 1200 metres. John Allen will be taking her around here, and we can anticipate him wanting to take the lead. The Godolphin runner has race fitness on her side, and at the price, appears to have the edge over the favourite.

Tip: (13) Transpolar $3.70 Sportsbet

Odds Last Updated: February 9, 2021, 12:56pm (AEDT)

Another maiden and another tough assignment in finding the winner. This race was uninteresting at first, but at a second look the favourite (3) Corner Pocket appeared to be in with a pretty good chance to break his maiden. Has had one start, at this track, where he arrived second after an unfavourable start. Had a solid spell, but comes back here after a winning trial at Terang. Today he gets the wide draw, but that’s not overly concerning in a smallish field (unless he misses it).

The main threat is (2) Coin Drop who comes to Victoria after an unsuccessful start in Hong Kong. We can just ignore that race, and focus on the recent trial which he seemed to handle without too much fuss. Patrick Payne has placed Tahlia Hope in the saddle, and gets a good gate. The other runner who could turn up is (14) Taylor’s Dream. John Allen takes the ride for Maher & Eustace, a combination that we should always be wary of.

Tip: (3) Corner Pocket $2.90 Bet365

Odds Last Updated: November 3, 2020, 12:51am (AEDT)

The final maiden of the day (thankfully) and we have a very open race. That means opportunity! We can make a case for the several competing for favouritism, but at the same time a case against. (9) Supreme Thunder has won a trial coming in, but might find today’s inside gate a little sticky. (8) Nowitzki, out of Deep Impact, also won a lead-in trial to today’s race—but has not performed on race day. He does have that same J. Allen and Maher & Eustace combination.

Two races ago (14) Uniquely ran well behind Zelify, but failed to perform last time out. (6) Get In The Queue goes around for Price & Kent at double-figures, after a pretty solid jump-out where he placed second. Like always, we can expect their runners to be more than competitive. No doubt this is a hard race, and confidence is not high, but there is opportunity to find good odds (including in the exotics). (10) Regal Ballerina shouldn’t be ignored either.

Tip: (6) Get In The Queue $14 Sportsbet

Also backing: (8) Nowitski $4.80 Sportsbet SCRATCHED

Odds Last Updated: March 2, 2021, 6:16pm (AEDT)

If Zac Spain gets the prize in Race 3 on Get In The Queue, than he is going to well positioned to get a race-to-race double. (7) Frondeur drops back in grade but jumps up in distance. She last competed in a bm70 coming second to Grandview Avenue, who subsequently raced against some quality runners. Frondeur flew from back in the field that day after some unlucky running in transit. Last preparation was racing in the company of How Womantic. The wider gate is a positive today. The scratching of Kuzco Lad is unfortunate, as he would have provided some additional speed in the race.

The Lindsay Smith runner (5) Rolls is the obvious danger, after coming second to Numerate previously. However, the times don’t often lie, and Frondeur looks to have something on Rolls, and the rest of the field. He is one of the better bets on the card.

Tip: (7) Frondeur $2.35 Bet365

Odds Last Updated: November 3, 2020, 12:51am (AEDT)

Odds Last Updated: November 3, 2020, 12:51am (AEDT)

While the combine for a number of races today, this looks to be the one that’s most likely. John Allen takes the ride on the Maher & Eustace trained (2) Tsugaru. We have had him as a top selection previously, before being scratched, and today he comes up against a pretty ordinary field for this bm58. Admittedly, Tsugaru has not been putting in great performances himself, but he looks to have a little more upside than most of the others.

The threats are most likely (6) Fiftyonestates, who has been pretty consistent. And (7) So Astounding, the Michelle Payne trained gelding out of So You Think. Of course, Michelle Payne takes the ride, not sure what she gets paid. Michelle has been riding well on her own horses recently, and you would be cautious in dismissing her. Her runners tend to go around at decent prices also, so maybe she is worth a spec. It would be a nice little winning reminder, the day before Melbourne Cup day, that Michelle Payne is still more than capable to take a ride in Australia’s great race.

Tip: (2) Tsugaru $2.80 TAB

Also backing: (7) So Astounding $12 TAB

Odds Last Updated: March 2, 2021, 6:16pm (AEDT)