Ballarat will host Victoria’s headline midweek card and seven races will be contested this week.
The rail will be set out four metres 2200m-800m and will remain in the true position around the remainder of the course, and at publish, the track is rated in the Good (4) range.
Race 1 – 1:35pm AEDT – Cardno TGM 3YO Maiden Plate (1600m)
Uniquely has improved for three starts back this time and is ready to break her maiden at Ballarat on Wednesday.
The Toronado filly finished midfield at Bendigo and Terang at her first two back from a spell and only just missed when second to French Moon at Stawell last time.
She gets into this well under the conditions and can fight out the finish.
Race 2 – 2:10pm AEDT – Whitford Liquid Waste Maiden Plate (1000m)
Who Runs The World is another filly who appears ready to break her maiden at Ballarat on Wednesday.
She is now a ten-start maiden, but the Zoustar filly looks to have returned to the races an improved prospect this time, and placed at Morphettville before finishing fourth at Strathalbyn last time.
Fitter third-up, I’m happy to give her another chance.
Race 3 – 2:45pm AEDT – Evergreen Turf Maiden Plate (1200m)
There isn’t much quality form to divulge ahead of Race 3 and at publish, the debutant Bengal Bandit is an odds-on favourite.
I am happy to stay out of this one from a betting perspective.
Race 4 – 3:20pm AEDT – Hygain Winners Choice BM70 Handicap (1200m)
Corner Pocket hasn’t been seen at the races since November, but he is also yet to run a bad race, and he can make a winning return at Ballarat.
The four-year-old son of Toronado has so far recorded two wins and as many placings from just four career starts, and went to the paddock after recording a lovely win over some good horses at The Valley.
I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish and he is my best bet on the program.
Race 5 – 3:55pm AEDT – Porter Plant Class 1 Handicap (1100m)
Audacious Heart only just missed at Cranbourne when resuming and can go one better at Ballarat on Wednesday.
The Fastnet Rock filly is yet to miss placing in five career starts, and raced home well to finish a head second to He’s A Gold Digger at Cranbourne earlier this month.
With natural improvement he too will take a power of beating.
Race 6 – 4:30pm AEDT – Make It Look Easy BM64 Handicap (1400m)
This is easily the most open race on Wednesday’s Ballarat card and at publish, we’re faced with $6.50 the field.
Insaaf hasn’t been seen since late January, but she was a consistent performer last time in and I am happy to have something on her first-up at around the $9 mark.
Insaaf finished second behind Audacious Heart at Sale when resuming last time and continued to race well throughout her prep, winning at Sale and finding form around some quality gallopers.
Race 7 – 5:05pm AEDT – Hygain Winners Choice BM70 Handicap (1600m)
Under My Spell looks beautifully placed to win at Ballarat on Wednesday.
The Pierro mare flew home to finish second, beaten only a head by a fit Zousonic at Ladbrokes Park when resuming and she is sure to enjoy plenty of improvement for that hit-out.
She is drawn ideally and I’m confident that she can send us home a winner.