Huge day of racing as some of our provincial circuits get to steal the show, with big programs coming out of Kembla and Ballarat. It’s Ballarat Cup day, and the card also features the Magic Millions 2yo clockwise classic, and the Magic Millions 3&4yo classics as well. Meanwhile at Kembla Grange, it is the running over another $1million race in The Gong, which is set over the mile and features some strong G1 form lines. The Sunshine Coast hosts the running of the Mooloolaba Cup, and the Perth carnival really gets into full swing, as it’s G1 Railway Stakes day at Ascot. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby identifies his five best of the day below.
Kembla Grange R4 #3 Broken Arrows $8.50 at PlayUp – Keen to play here on a horse returning from an 11 week let up, and has been given two soft trials and looked sharp in both of them. He was last seen racing at Doomben in bm80 grade, and prior to that was a winner at Eagle Farm back in the Winter. I think he will be forward enough to be very competitive here, and most importantly he strikes a dry track. Since December 2019 he has only had one run on a dry track, and that was a win in Brisbane. 4:1-1-1 record fresh is very encouraging, and he is twice placed at this track and trip. Selections: 3-7-8-11
Kembla Grange R8 #3 Soldier Of Love $9.00 at PlayUp – Thought this Bjorn Baker gelding was over the odds here in R8, coming off a Goulburn Cup run where he was maybe caught in the inferior going towards the rail as the winner came out wider. His second up form is excellent, reading 3:2-0-1, and he has never missed a top three finish at the 1600m distance from six attempts, including two wins. Back on to a dry track will definitely help, and his trials leading into this prep were very strong, including a 1L trial win at Rosehill over 1030m. I’m convinced he’s going well and should show it here. Selections: 3-1-9-12
Ballarat R6 #13 Lunakorn $4.80 at PlayUp – Third up here and looks ready to win, coming off a close 2nd at Mornington last start over the 1200m. Does rise up in grade, but that should pose little threat as I believe she has a stack of ability, and will very easily be able to measure up in this grade. M Zahra hoping on is a big change, and with the extra fitness here off that last start run, and what looks to be a nice map, I think she can win. Selections: 13-15-7-10
Ballarat R7 #3 Right You Are $2.60 at PlayUp – Second up here, and comes off a very good run at Flemington over 1600m when fresh, going down under half a length to Power Scheme and Beehunter. This very talented 4yo has a great second up record, and sticking to the mile should be suitable as he will have that extra fitness on his side. He is clearly most effective at the mile, and is easily a handicap or group level horse, so racing here in bm78 grade with only 61kg is an absolute steal. He is terrifically weighted, drawn perfectly in barrier four, and should be winning. Selections: 3-2-17-14
Ballarat R9 #3 The Astrologist $2.20 at PlayUp – Third up here and a deserved favourite, coming off a fresh win, and a very gallant second placing behind Exhilarates in a listed Flemington race. Should be at the peak here, and coming back to 1100m is likely preferred, as it seems to be his best distance. The writing is on the wall for him to rejoin the winners list here, and from the wide barrier I wouldn’t be surprised if they elect to ride a touch quieter, there is a lot of speed drawn inside him, and the race sets up for them to go fast in front. If he gets a cold sit, he can peel wide and pick them up in the straight. Selections: 3-4-7-10
