Ballarat August 27th, Tips and Previews
Best Bet - Ballarat Race 6
1
Stern Idol $1.40
Stern Idol will start a short-priced favourite in the day’s feature event, the Grand National Steeplechase.
The Raven’s Pass gelding is building a phenomenal record over the jumps, and he is arguably in career-best form.
His last-start win at Sandown was tough and determined, and he will appreciate the significant drop in class on Sunday.
The versatile seven-year-old handles all track conditions, and he should get a dream run in transit from barrier one.
The allocated grandstand weight is the only deterrent.
San Remo looks the obvious danger to the favourite after producing a brilliant last-start victory.
The ten-year-old turned back the clock and put his rivals to the sword when the whips were cracking.
A recent barrier trial will have him cherry ripe for this assignment, and if the odds-on pop has an off day, he can capitalise late.
Next Best - Ballarat Race 4
2
Bedford $3.00
Bedford can bounce back after a rare last-start defeat over the jumps.
The Tavistock gelding should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation, and his best form is fences and panels above his rivals.
From barrier four, he will sit in the box seat, and if he is still on his feet coming to the last, I expect him to fight out the finish.
The drop back to 3250m could be his undoing.
Dashing Willoughby has been making every post a winner since joining the jumping circuit.
The one-time Melbourne Cup runner was game in defeat at Sandown at his latest outing, and he was a stunning winner two-starts back at Casterton.
He will take up pole position from barrier three, and if he can catch his opponents napping mid-race, he will look the winner on straightening.
A heavy track would cruel his winning chances.
Best Roughie - Ballarat Race 2
5
Three Over Two $21.00/$4.00
Three Over Two is ready to win.
The Raise The Flag gelding has been racing well without winning, and his form is better than it reads in the guide.
The eight-year-old will appreciate the step out in distance, and the addition of Campbell Rawiller could prove the winning difference.
From barrier seven, the big boy will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he can stay in touch with the peloton during the middle stages of the race, he can threaten late.
His pattern of racing always requires an element of luck.
Dr Colin will start favourite after a gritty first-up win at Geelong on the flat.
The Zed gelding makes his jumps debut on Sunday, and the flood of early money tells me he is ready to rock ‘n’ roll.
The step out in distance is advantageous, and the current track conditions will suit the versatile seven-year-old.
Take on trust!
QUADDIE
Q
$30 for 500%
Platinum Spirit looks to have a mortgage on the opening leg of the quaddie.
The Charm Spirit gelding is racing in great spirit, and I expect him to get the run of the race from the perfect inside draw.
Bedford and Dashing Willoughby will fight out the Jj Houlahan Hurdle, while I expect Nelson, Twin Spinner and King’s Charisma to be prominent in the penultimate event.
Stern Idol will finish the day on a winning note for favourite punters.
Best of luck!
Leg 1: 4
Leg 2: 2, 6
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6
Leg 4: 1
Outlay: $30
Flexi Percentage = 500%
