The running of the $500,000 Ballarat Cup on Saturday draws down the curtain for the 2019 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.
The 2000m Listed Handicap has assembled a capacity field of sixteen runners plus four emergencies with the big name stables of Chris Waller, The Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Mike Moroney and Ballarat based Ciaron Maher and David Eustace all with multiple runners.
The Maher and Eustace trained Dr Drill has drawn the inside gate with Melbourne Cup winning jockey Craig Williams in the saddle while Dwayne Dunn has the job ahead of him after his mount, the Mike Moroney trained Gundown, drew the outside gate.
We have analysed every single horse in the field and our complete 2019 Ballarat Cup tips can be found below.
Fifty Stars
The Lindsay Park trained Fifty Stars has some solid Spring Carnival Group 1 form behind him heading to the Ballarat Cup but will need to get a very soft run from barrier four with 60.5kg on his back. Fifty Stars was beaten a nose by Fierce Impact in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) and then finished fifth in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on the first and the last days of the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival. Has the class to figure in the finish.
Suzuka Devious
Japanese galloper Suzuka Devious has had two unplaced runs in Australia for an eighth in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) followed by a seventh in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) but will find this easier and a better showing is on the cards.
Carzoff
Carzoff has handy form around the Ballarat Cup distance of 2000m with a third in the Group 3 1900m Premier’s Cup at Rosehill followed by a third in the Group 3 2000m Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick. The Chris Waller trained seven year old was well beaten over the 2600m in the St Leger at Randwick and will be better suited dropping back to the 2000m.
Kiwia
Kiwia is a two times winner on his home track at Ballarat but will have to improve on his recent form to be competitive here. Kiwia heads to the Ballarat Cup on the back of a sixth in the 1800m Furphy Plate on Melbourne Cup Day.
Dr Drill
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Dr Drill has worked his way up through the grades and after winning a 1900m BenchMark 88 Handicap at Rosehill went on to win the 2025m Cranbourne Cup on October 13. Has drawn the inside gate with Melbourne Cup winning jockey Craig Williams in the saddle but hasn’t raced for six weeks. Betting will be the best guide.
Runaway
Front runner Runaway is struggling to find winning form and could only manage to beat one runner home when eleventh in the 1800m Furphy Plate on Melbourne Cup Day. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Runaway has drawn barrier seventeen in the original draw, but could come into thirteen if all of the emergencies fail to gain a start and will likely cross over in the early stage to take up the running.
Plein Ciel
Plein Ciel has failed to run a place from four runs during the 2019 Spring Racing Carnival and it is hard to see him threatening here on his latest seventh in the Group 3 1800m Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last Saturday.
The Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor ran his best race this campaign with a last start third in the 2000m Rosehill Gold Cup at Rosehill and a repeat performance could see the Chris Waller trained gelding figure in the prizemoney again.
Alfarris
Alfarris has had mixed form this campaign but did manage to find the winner’s stall at Flemington three starts back in a 2500m Quality Handicap but was then unplaced at his next two starts in the Group 3 2520m Bart Cummings at Flemington and in the Group 2 2500m Moonee Valley Gold Cup at The Valley. Better suited dropping back in grade in the Ballarat Cup. The blinkers come off and the winkers go on again.
Another Dollar
Another Dollar is the third of Chris Waller’s three Ballarat Cup runners and is coming off a last start ninth in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Go on her second the start before in the 2000m Rosehill Gold Cup at Rosehill and a repeat performance could see her take home some of the prizemoney on offer.
Second Bullet
Second Bullet failed to beat a runner home at his only run this campaign when twelfth in the 1800m Furphy Plate on Melbourne Cup Day and it is hard to see him fire any shots here.
Double You Tee
Double You Tee worked his way up through the grades and it four wins on the trot with a win in a 2040m Handicap at The Valley on October 25. Double You Tee’s latest outing saw him beaten a nose when second in the 2000m Kyneton Cup and he has a good each way chance again in the Ballarat Cup.
Hang Man
Hang Man has some solid form heading towards the Ballarat Cup but will need more than his fair share of luck after drawing barrier eighteen in the original draw. Trainer Mike Moroney has put the nose roll on Hang Man following his last start third in the 2400m Bendigo Cup on October 30.
Red Alto
Red Alto is struggling to find any form and looks tested in the Ballarat Cup on his latest eighth in the 1800m Furphy Plate on Melbourne Cup Day.
Gundown
Gundown’s Country Cup form is okay with a win in the Moe Cup (2025m) followed by a fourth in the 2000m Kyneton Cup during Melbourne Cup week. The outside barrier makes the job tough.
Aristocratic Miss
Aristocratic Miss showed plenty of improvement at huge odds with a last start third in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington on the last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. A repeat performance could see her pick up some minor prizemoney again.
Etana
Etana is the first of the four emergencies and will be tested if she gains a start following a well beaten last start tenth in 1700m Mares Handicap at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
Harbour Views
The lightly raced Harbour Views is the winner of five of his six race starts and suffered his only defeat last start when second in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m) at Flemington on Kennedy Oaks Day. Facing harder opposition here if lucky enough to gain a start.
Savaheat
Savaheat scored back to back wins this campaign in restricted class before a fourth in Group 3 1800m Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last Saturday.
Meli Melo
Meli Melo is fourth emergency and not likely to find a spot in the field. The six year old has had one run back from a spell for a second in an 1800m BenchMark 80 at Morphettville on November 2.
Tip: Dr Drill at $4.60