Punt Preview: Balaklava (12/11)
BEST BET
SIMPLY SID (Race 1)
EACH-WAY
BROWN NOSE DAY GAL (Race 7)
ROUGHIE
ME NAME'S BORIS (Race 3)
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Race 1 Schweppes Maiden Plate 1050m
Perfect conditions for Balaklava racing with an anticipated Good 4 rated track. SIMPLY SID has improved with racing at his initial campaign and gets his chance to break the duck. The Mark Lewis trained five-year-old has found the line well in his past couple over this track and trip when placed behind a couple of what appear handy three-year-old's in Common Interest and Good Expectations. Todd Pannell sticks and you can expect this one to be rounding them up late. I AM OLE is the watch in the race, trialled well then possibly slightly disappointing over the concluding stages when given a terrific ride in the metro maiden behind Damelli beaten 3.28 lengths resuming. This looks an easier assignment. The Richard and Chantelle Jolly trained NORHEIM looks to have some ability on what we have seen at the trials. Clean jump the key to a successful debut. JURA VAUDOIS, who has been ridden closer this time in, looks a place chance again here along with MALDIVICA back in trip.
SELECTIONS: 2 SIMPLY SID, 3 I Am Ole, 5 Norheim, 10 Maldivica.
PLAY: Keen on SIMPLY SID.
Race 2 Sportsbet Racing Form Maiden Plate 1600m
Forget THE PUNK ROCKER went round at Murray Bridge behind Saint Boom on Oct 25, nothing went right when caught wide in a moderately run race. Different scenario here from the good gate and out to the mile. There wasn't much between I AM RALPH and GINGERBREAD BOY in that maiden behind Saint Boom. Both right in a race of this nature. GINGERBREAD BOY improved past couple and will likely be a lot bigger odds here given SP profile and far from hopeless. FLAMING EYES failed in an attempt to circle the field at Strathalbyn over the longer journey three weeks ago. Finding cover early from the wide gate and saved for one run at them the key the key to her chances. MELODIA LEGEND was dual nominated and connections have opted for this event over the 1400 meter maiden. Place prospect.
SELECTIONS: 5 THE PUNK ROCKER, 2 Gingerbread Boy, 6 Flaming Eyes, 3 I Am Ralph.
PLAY: THE PUNK ROCKER with a place play at odds GINGERBREAD BOY.
Race 3 K Brereton Showcase Jewellers Maiden Plate 1400m
The 1400 on the big track looks a nice kick off for the Chris Beig trained RADIOGRAPH with noted improvement over the last month or so at the trials / jumpouts. Still a bit to learn but rated a top chance in this modest affair. LITTLE ROCKET hasn't had much go right in two runs this time in when got well back on both occasions. The Darryl Hewitt trained four-year-old can lob a lot closer here from the rails draw and will take holding out late if the gets the brakes in the home running. BROADWAY DANCER was well fancied at Naracoorte when placed behind Ludo. Can improve sharply. ME NAME'S BORIS is the best roughie in the race, maps to lead or box seat and could take running down.
SELECTIONS: 5 RADIOGRAPH, 3 Me Name's Boris, 2 Little Rocket, 7 Broadway Dancer.
PLAY: RADIOGRAPH with a saver ME NAME'S BORIS.
Race 4 BTR Excavations Special Conditions NMW-LY Hcp (BM62) 1600m
Minimal speed engaged with KETCHIKAN or SNIPERS NIGHTMARE most likely to find the front.
ENLIST races well here having been placed in 9 of 14 starts including two wins. BIg win here over 1400 meters then game again when placed behind subsequent winner Falaise at Murray Bridge over this trip. The one to beat.
CARING LASS on the quick back from her win last week at Gawler when she had the favours in a truly run race. Can win again.
Enigmatic galloper LOMAX returns to the mile where he has won four races. Capable on his day.
OBI loves Balaklava having won 3 from 3, chance with the right run in transit.
PUNCHIN saw plenty of the track resuming at Murray Bridge behind Grinzinger Ace, expect improvement here.
SELECTIONS: 2 ENLIST, 6 Punchin, 1 Lomax, 5 Caring Lass.
PLAY: Backing ENLIST to get the perfect trail and be to strong late.
Race 5 TQCSI Rating 0 - 56 Handicap 2200m
GRINZINGER JOY looks the one with the most upside. Ticked off the maiden with a solid win this track and trip in September over Flaming Eyes then good again when placed being Cracking Good Time. Prepared to overlook last start failure at Strathalbyn on the Soft 7 and go off the prior good efforts here on the firmer surface. THE TANK has been good the past couple when placed behind Guru Warrior and Fantastic Host when out to these longer trips. This looks as ideal assignement. Likely leader CHARTIN was disappointing as favourite at Naracoorte but was racing well enough prior. Forgive 1 bad run? THINK TANK is usually around the mark in this grade when he gets to these trips. Keep safe. AMBITIOUS CREEK landed some good bets at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup day where he dictated from the top.
SELECTIONS: 4 GRINZINGER JOY, 2 The Tank, 8 Chartin, 1 Think Tank.
PLAY: Backing in GRINZINGER JOY.
Race 6 Coopers Brewery Rating 0 - 56 Handicap 1400m
The Alexander Justice trained MAPLEWAY has been hard in the market past couple and looks ready to peak after solid efforts behind Enlist and Grinzinger Ace. Leading hoop Jason Holder goes aboard. FUNNY AS will push forward from the wide draw and should be able to get across with limited effort. Solid chance from there. PRACILLA'S CHOICE was plain fresh in the big field at Morphettville on Nov 4 but this appears more suitable out in trip and on the firmer deck. Other chances include SEE YA LATER BABY and ROKABYE WARRIOR.
SELECTIONS: 4 MAPLEWAY, 2 Funny As, 5 Pricilla's Choice, 8 Rokabye Warrior.
PLAY: Happy to watch on in a low confidnece race - Wide in the quaddie.
Race 7 Taylors Wines Benchmark 56 Handicap 1050m
BROWN NOSE DAY GAL impressed last preperation when made her raced track debut at seven-years-old for the Roslyn Day stable. First look at the track but trial win here a fortnight ago with Brooke King in the saddle adds confidence. A couple of these will be a bit sharp for her early but if they get tired I expect her to be strong late. NOSIE BY NATURE was ridden more positvly from the wide draw last start and tired late. Map suggests trails up the fence her and in the mix with even luck and no issues with inside part of the track. MERCURY EIGHT will be prominent early and the scratching of Isla's Fury is of assistance. MAGIC FIELD has been racing well without winning at Mount Gambier on the heavy surface. Don't discard.
SELECTIONS: 6 BROWN NOSE DAY GAL, 5 Nosie By Nature, 3 Mercury Eight, 1 Magic Field.
PLAY: BROWN NOSE DAY GAL each-way.
Race 8 Sportsbet Make it Look Easy Benchmark 56 Handicap1050m
Tricky race to finish the day. The Matthew Seyers trained mare IN LOVE has good early speed and races well here (3:1-2-0). Plenty of speed engaged but backing her to cross and give punters a good run for their money. EFFUSIV looks the one most liekly to benefit from the anticipated fireworks early, a winner this track and trip this daughter of Pride Of Dubai will get her chance late. LAKE AGAWAM goes in all exotic bets, the Liz Faust trained six-year-old is capable of being in the finish. AMBELLO was an improved performance last start when landed closer from the good gate. TAKING OMAHA was a pass mark fresh behind Angel Torque at Murray Bridge.
SELECTIONS: 2 IN LOVE, 7 Effusiv, 9 Lake Agawam, 5 Ambello.
PLAY: Backing IN LOVE to find the front and hold on.