OVERVIEW 

BALLARAT – SATURDAY

DEFIBRILLATE [BALLARAT CUP]

Former New Zealand galloper who raced with considerable success before arriving in Australia.  He continued that vein of form which realised wins at Caulfield and Flemington.  Trained in Ballarat but has only started at his home circuit once for a placing.  His strike rate is excellent with three wins at this journey.  The stable wisely avoided the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup for this race and is sure to be the one to beat.

IN A TWINKLING [BALLARAT CUP]

Made his Australian debut last Saturday at Cranbourne on an extremely heavy track.  Despite this he came from last and was beaten just four lengths against some of Victoria’s finest milers.  Jumping to 2000 metres a trip he has been placed in at Ellerslie.  The fact that the Smith stable is backing him up is a sign that the horse has thrived since his Aussie debut.  

ZAYYDANI [BALLARAT CUP]

A daughter of Savabeel from strong brood mare Ruqqaya.  In great form and managed to weave a passage through the field at Flemington last start on a seemingly inferior part of the surface.  She was strong to the line and that was against group two mares.  However this will be open company but in form and the barrier draw of gate 1 will ensure she gets the run of the race.  

PRINCESS JENNI [BALLARAT CUP]

By leading stayer sire High Chaparral from a Savabeel mare.  First sign of genuine form was two starts back when fourth behind Flying Mascot at Moonee Valley.  If she can reclaim that form she will be hard to defeat.

ONLY WORDS [BALLARAT CUP]

From the powerful Waller stable and this former Kiwi mare who was transferred to Sydney after a handful of runs in New Zealand looks handily placed in the Ballarat Cup.  Unbeaten at the distance and if rain does come she is certain to be highly competitive.  Prebble rides and from gate 5 and a light weight she is certainly going to be hard to beat.

BERMADEZ [HANDICAP]

High class New Zealand bred galloper whose chances will be enhanced if the track does become rain affected.  Followed an all the way win at Sale in October and then came to Flemington and was successful in the country final over 1600 metres.  In the powerful Moroney stable at Flemington and from just seven starts this lightly raced gelding has been successful on four occasions.  The extra distance does not pose any concerns and could be a genuine chance despite average draw.

OSAKA [HANDICAP]

Showed plenty of staying promise in New Zealand and on face value looked to struggle in his Australian debut in the Ararat Bowl at Ararat. Although finishing out of a place the conditions did not suit and this journey and grade are perfect for him.  Sure to be in the finish.  

ORLEANS ROCK [HANDICAP]

A winner of the Horsham Cup two starts back and then last start at Ararat he made late ground to just miss out in a race that has become an excellent form reference.  Drawn fairly and this will suit. 

SEINERS EXPRESS [HANDICAP]

A Kiwi bred galloper who has been highly competitive at this grade and was strong when a narrow third at Flemington last Saturday week after making ground from near last.  Prolific wet tracker whose chances will be greatly enhanced if rain does come.  

IRISH BUTTERFLY [HANDICAP]

Six-year-old gelding who is superbly bred along the New Zealand breeding lines but his efforts of late have been below par.  If he strikes his best this will be very much his type of race.  

ROCK IN THE PARK [HANDICAP]

Started his racing at Mata Mata in December 2019 and was unbeaten in his final two starts before coming to Australia.  However his winning rate did not weaken on his arrival on Australian shores having successes at Sandown and Moe in recent starts.  Drawn awkwardly and could sneak a place at odds.  

HIGHLAND JAKK [HANDICAP]

Wins here at Ballarat and at Bendigo in September are significant pointers to this horse’s chances on Saturday.  He has shown a lot of ability and is a winner at this track and distance.    

JUSTACANTA [KILMORE CUP]

Racing in tremendous heart with two wins at Flemington, one at 1400 metres and the other 1200.  Highly versatile galloper who came to Australia to add to his already imposing record.  He’s done that however he has only ever started once over 1600 metres and that was at Te Rapa when finishing out of place behind Prince Hareem.  However while he is still on trial at the distance he can’t be ruled out because of his local, honest racing.  This race looks ideal for him.