Ballarat R1 #1 Golden Banner $4.60 at Playup – very weak race to start proceedings here in VIC, so have elected to go with this horse at value who I don’t believe is necessarily any worse at all than the horses at the top of the market. All of these runners look very limited in ability, but Golden Banner’s effort at Kyneton two starts back was gallant. Sat three-wide no cover throughout and boxed on extremely well, even running a race fastest last 600m by 2L. He is rock hard fit, bred to handle wet going, and should eat up the 1500m
Ballarat R5 #14 She’s Booming $5.00 at Playup – Very impressed so far with the two runs of this filly, who was very good on debut and then bolted in the last start to break her maiden. The figures from her last start maiden win stack up to this bm64 grade easily, and she is drawn wide in barrier 16 which will allow her to find better going in the straight. Wet track an obvious query, but she is third up now very fit and can easily go to another level here to win.
Ballarat R6 #4 Billy Mav $5.00 at Playup – coming off a last-start effort that needs to be seen to be believed, I’m confident this gelding can break through for another win. He had no right to finish 3rd over the mile here last start, after getting back in running with a clear on-pace bias on the day, and almost falling in the home straight. He got clear inside the last 200m, after all, that, and flew home, being the only horse to break 12 seconds in the race. He is proven in wet going with two strong minor placings, and fifth up to 2000m is ideal.
Randwick Kensington R3 #4 Kinloch $7.00 at Playup – resumes here for K Lees, a colt who showed extreme promise after a very dominant debut win going back over a year ago. He then ran behind Peltzer before being tipped out and pulled up with issues in one run last prep. Resumes here very lightly raced but should be right on the mark after a number of encouraging trials. He is clearly talented, and the fact he remains a colt is a good sign. J Mac hops on and is worth a bet at the current price.
Randwick Kensington R6 #10 Katalin $2.00 at Playup – very keen on this group horse in the making from the Godolphin yard, who brings in very good form lines to this first-up assignment. Four career runs include two straight wins to start the career, and then SP’ing as favourite in the G3 Vanity at Flemington and only being beaten 2L that day. Resumes off two very good trails, including the latest over 1050m to bring its fitness right up to the mark. Proven winner fresh, wide draw suits, J Mac on, soft track no issue either.
