Balaklava – Soft 5

Code: BBT500

R1 – Taylors Wines & Adelaide Galvanising Industries Maiden Plate (1050m)

Lynch impressed winning a recent trial under little pressure and looks a smart debutant for the Hickmott yard. Samstorm has race experience and should improve off her first-up effort, while Damizer comes through the same strong trial form. Arizona Dreamer is another well-bred first starter who can run a big race from a good draw.

Selections
3. Lynch ($2.10)
5. Samstorm ($9.00)
7. Damizer ($5.50)
6. Arizona Dreamer ($5.00)

R2 – Bettabuilt Green Class 1 Handicap (1400m)

Safe Bet gets the chance to bounce back sharply dropping in grade and looks well suited racing on speed here. Impact Storm resumes off two trials after a maiden win at Oakbank, while Sayersitisn’Tso can measure up again after breaking through last start. Fiabesca maps for a soft run and has claims at odds.

Selections
2. Safe Bet ($3.00)

1. Impact Storm ($4.20)
2. Sayersitisn’Tso ($7.00)
3. Fiabesca ($3.90)

R3 – Port Victoria Hotel Maiden Plate (1050m)

Musical Sunset maps perfectly from the inside gate and should get every chance after back-to-back placings. Extra Fling looked sharp winning a recent trial and can make an immediate impact on debut. Finnbar McCool has shown enough at the trials to warrant respect, while My Boy Willis can improve second-up.

Selections
7. Musical Sunset ($3.10)
2. Extra Fling ($2.10)
3. Finnbar McCool ($26.00)

1. My Boy Willis

R4 – Sportsbet Racing Form Maiden Plate (1400m)

Artful Maximus has placed in both career starts and looks ready to break through third-up with winkers going on. Green Summer improved over this trip last start and draws to get every chance again. Hell’s On Fire comes through the same form race and can improve with more luck, while Mystrix has trialled strongly leading in.

Selections
4. Artful Maximus ($3.60)
6. Green Summer ($3.20)
11. Hell’s On Fire ($5.00)
13. Mystrix ($9.00)

R5 – Mybutcher Desert City Rating 0-56 Handicap (1400m)

Sir Panama has been racing consistently and looks close to another win after a string of placings. Sacred Chord hit the line strongly last start and should appreciate the rise in distance, while Canny Defense can improve sharply back to this level. Born To Shine maps well on speed and is worth including.

Selections

1. Sir Panama ($4.00)
2. Sacred Chord ($8.50)
3. Canny Defense ($6.00)
4. Born To Shine ($9.50)

R6 – The Anglers Inn Punters Club Handicap (2200m)

Harsh drops back in grade after solid recent placings and looks the horse to beat stepping back to 2200m. Theodor gets a soft draw and should get every chance, while Valued can improve again after a better effort last start. Retourne is capable of improving sharply with blinkers going on and wet ground to suit.

Selections
7. Harsh ($2.50)
2. Theodor ($6.00)
4. Valued ($9.50)
8. Retourne ($18.00)

R7 – Coopers Dry 3.5 Benchmark 56 Handicap (1050m)

You’Resogolden resumes in easier grade and looks likely to roll forward and prove hard to catch. So Polite has a strong track and distance profile despite the wide gate, while Artistic Angel should appreciate the class drop. Costless rarely runs poorly here and can give a sight again.

Selections
5. You’Resogolden ($4.40)
8. So Polite ($3.30)
9. Artistic Angel ($8.00)
3. Costless ($8.50)

R8 – Austin Condon Memorial Benchmark 56 Handicap (1050m)

Zatanna was dominant leading throughout at Bordertown and maps to control this race from the inside draw. Taino Rocket resumes off a spell and has shown he can fire fresh, while My Ruby should be hitting the line hard dropping in grade. De Luca has a handy first-up record and maps for a soft run.

Selections

1. Zatanna ($4.00)
2. Taino Rocket ($5.50)
3. My Ruby ($8.50)
4. De Luca ($7.50)

Code: BBT500