Ballina(NSW) - Good 4

R1 – Boxing Day Tickets On Sale Now Maiden Plate (1415m)

Analysis
VALOURI (10) made a promising start to his career at Lismore and looks well suited stepping out to this trip. CANSORT (4) debuts for a stable that gets them ready early and is worth plenty of respect. OUTDOOR CAT (7) wasn’t far away at the Sunshine Coast and should appreciate the rise in distance. ADEQUATE EZE (3) showed ability when finishing second on debut and is an honest place hope again.

Selections
• 10. Valouri (6) — $2.70
• 4. Cansort (5) — $2.90
• 7. Outdoor Cat (3) — $6.00
• 3. Adequate Eze (11) — $5.50

R2 – Virtual Golf Ballina Maiden Handicap (1015m)

Analysis
DARLING TAKE CARE (8) was good last time at Ballina and looks ready to run well again with extra fitness. ARTIE VAINQUEUR (5) debuts from an ideal draw and should get every chance. PARADING GUS (2) resumes off a strong trial and is capable of figuring fresh. SPICY WINGS (1) had excuses on debut and can improve sharply.

Selections
• 8. Darling Take Care (5) — $5.50
• 5. Artie Vainqueur (1) — $5.50
• 2. Parading Gus (7) — $3.10
• 1. Spicy Wings (2) — $6.00

R3 – Ballina Fair Benchmark 66 Handicap (1015m)

Analysis
EAGLE’S FIRE (4) is racing in terrific form and comes off a confident Lismore win, making him a major player again. DONT CALL ME HONEY (2) returns from a spell and has trialled well enough to suggest she’s ready to fire fresh. PRESSALONG (7) draws perfectly and has each-way claims. CALL ME SUPER (3) produced a strong fresh win and remains a threat.

Selections
• 4. Eagle’s Fire (3) — $4.40
• 2. Dont Call Me Honey (2) — $3.10
• 7. Pressalong (1) — $9.00
• 3. Call Me Super (4) — $8.50

R4 – Koala Farms Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1920m)

Analysis
LA GRACIA (12) continues to race consistently and her latest Ipswich placing reads well for this. BRAIN WAVE (5) was strong breaking maiden last start and should be competitive again despite the gate. STOICISM (9) is holding form and the step in distance suits. SILVER AGENT (3) hasn’t been far away in similar races and is a solid each-way chance.

Selections
• 12. La Gracia (9) — $10.00
• 5. Brain Wave (11) — $3.60
• 9. Stoicism (5) — $3.40
• 3. Silver Agent (7) — $4.60

R5 – TAB Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1265m)

Analysis
DEEP STEALTH (3) keeps running well and another honest effort sees him right in the finish. VETOED (7) charged home late last start and looks one of the main dangers. PRESTIGE GUNDY (4) broke through strongly at Ballina and can go on with it. WANJINA ROSE (2) bolted in here last start and must be respected again.

Selections
• 3. Deep Stealth (3) — $2.40
• 7. Vetoed (2) — $5.00
• 4. Prestige Gundy (7) — $6.75
• 2. Wanjina Rose (13) — $11.00

R6 – Ballina RSL Benchmark 66 Handicap (1415m)

Analysis
NAILS AND PRIDE (8) is flying with back-to-back wins and maintains strong winning claims. FIFTH FORCE (2) comes down in grade and has a sharp enough turn of foot to feature prominently. YUKANUMA (6) resumes and has good fresh credentials, so cannot be underestimated. SMART RECOGNITION (3) is in excellent form and rises to the 1415m looking ready for the challenge.

Selections
• 8. Nails And Pride (3) — $5.00
• 2. Fifth Force (8) — $3.80
• 6. Yukanuma (2) — $17.00
• 3. Smart Recognition (5) — $4.40