Feature racing heads to country Victoria this weekend, and we are set for another quality edition of Ballarat Cup Day.
Ten races are on the program, headlined by the $500,000 Ballarat Cup, and you can find all of my thoughts and 2023 Ballarat Cup Day Tips below.
VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockade (1400m) – 12:10pm AEDT
Canyonlands is yet to strike in two career starts, but I think that he can get the job done in this lucrative VOBIS race on Ballarat Cup Day.
Canyonlands hit the line to finish second behind an impressive Apppleby on debut at Geelong last month, before hitting the line behind Oak Hill at The Valley most recently.
With further improvement and under Jamie Kah this week, I think he’ll be right in the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Canyonlands
Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m) – 12:40pm AEDT
Macocha hit the line to win here on debut and looks capable of making it two in a row in the Ballarat Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
The Street Boss filly did attract some interest in betting prior to her debut, and she was eye-catching ahead of the likes of Invincible Beau and Te Anau.
With improvement for that experience, she can progress.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Macocha
A Grade Sheds BM70 Handicap (1100m) – 1:10pm AEDT
No Drama returned a nice performance to win under a heavy weight at The Valley first-up this time, and I’m confident he can go on with it on Ballarat Cup Day.
The Ghibellines gelding did return some nice performance in mixed form last time in, but returned arguably the best effort of his career when resuming last month.
He’s won second-up before and with Beau Mertens retaining the ride this week, I think he’ll be right in it again.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 No Drama
Ritchie’s IGA Mares BM78 Handicap (1200m) – 1:45pm AEDT
Shohei finished only a length and a half behind a smart winner at Rosehill first-up from a break, and I thought that this looked a very winnable race for her.
The Mikki Isle mare was a consistent performer last time in, ending her prep a close second in the Gold Bracelet at Bendigo most notably.
She has been kept fresh for this run, and she is drawn to receive a lovely run this week under Jye McNeil.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Shohei
Global Turf BM84 Handicap (2000m) – 2:20pm AEDT
This looks to be one of the more open races on the program with plenty of winning chances engaged, but I thought that Excelleration would relish the conditions second-up from a spell.
Excelleration produced some excellent performances in 2022, including an impressive Flemington win most notably, and I thought that his fresh run this time was decent, though required.
He second-up record is very good, while getting out to the 2000m this week should see him come right into his own.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Excelleration
Mobile Hose Solutions McKellar Mile BM78 (1600m) – 3pm AEDT
Divine Purpose only just missed at her first start back from a break, and she can go one better on Ballarat Cup Day.
The Divine Prophet mare turned in some nice performances last time in, earning a trip north to contest the Queensland Oaks, albeit a failed tilt.
She was excellent around some good and fit horses at Caulfield first-up last month, and this really does look a perfect opportunity for her to strike.
Suggested Bet: No. 16 Divine Purpose
Magic Millions Ballarat 3YO & 4YO Classic (1100m) – 3:40pm AEDT
Veecee made just one appearance at the races last time in and it was awful, but I think that he can return a winner at Ballarat on Saturday.
The Maher & Eustace-trained colt showed some real talent during his two-year-old season, finishing second in Group 3 company most notably, but he did plenty wrong in the Vain Stakes in August and his campaign was immediately terminated.
He’s reportedly done extremely well in the lead-up to this week’s return, this is a far softer target, and we can have an each way play at current odds ($9 at publish).
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Veecee
Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) – 4:20pm AEDT
This is an outstanding edition of the Ballarat Cup with a real depth of talent engaged, including the Group 1 performed Young Werther.
The talented son of Tavistock recorded consecutive wins at Flemington and The Valley in winter and early spring, and after a reasonably luckless run in the Hill Stakes at Rosehill in October, he was excellent through the line to fill the minors of the Champions Stakes last time out.
This is a big drop in class from that race, and Billy Egan should be able to find a nice position in running for him from barrier 4.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Young Werther
Ballarat Volkswagen Tonks Plate (1100m) – 5pm AEDT
Taunting has returned to the races in sharp form and strikes another winnable one this week.
The Michael Hickmott-trained gelding has won two of his last three starts, only just missing behind Ashford Street at The Valley on the other occasion, but his performance to win the Apache Cat Classic at Cranbourne a fortnight about was amongst his best.
He’s hard fit and this looks the next logical target for him.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Taunting
The Haymarket BM84 Handicap (1400m) – 5:40pm AEDT
Tough race to end Ballarat Cup Day from a betting perspective and a case to be made for a few of them, but I thought that Meridius looked ready for a big result third-up from a spell.
The Extreme Choice gelding was held up at a crucial moment in the Dual Choice Plate at Geelong first-up from a break but finished off well for fourth, while he worked home impressively again for the same result in a race that favoured on-pacers at Caulfield, last time out.
Fitter third-up and at the 1400m, he can settle a little closer this week and finish over the top.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Meridius
