Ararat hosts its Gold Cup meeting on Sunday with eight races, starting at 1:30pm AEDT. The track was rated a Soft 6 at the time of writing, so wet-track form matters.
Bold Strike in Race 8 is our best bet as the class runner dropping in grade. General Blu is the shortest price on the card in Race 3 after a trial win, and Cable Dancer is our pick in the Ararat Gold Cup (Race 6). Semper Fortis in Race 1 is the value play.
Race 1 - Ararat RSL Sir Brudenell White BM70 Highweight Handicap (4000m)
Selection: Semper Fortis Current odds: $8.50
A marathon trip, so stamina and a good position matter most. Semper Fortis has drawn barrier 1 and has placed twice from six runs this preparation, so should get the softest run. That makes the price good value. Legend Beast won at Swan Hill last start and is the favourite, but barrier 12 means extra work. Eye For An Eye backs up seven days later, and Motiver won at Warrnambool four runs back.
Selections:
- Semper Fortis - $8.50
- Legend Beast - $3.90
- Eye For An Eye - $4.60
- Motiver - $9.50
Race 2 - Gorst Rural Maiden Plate (1300m)
Selection: Incoherent Current odds: $6.00
Incoherent placed first-up for a strong stable and should improve with that run behind it. Barrier 11 is the query. Model Gigi faded to fifth at Mornington but should be fitter now. Fire Type is the favourite after a trial following a 26-week break, and Daniel Boone placed in a trial before resuming.
Selections:
- Incoherent - $6.00
- Model Gigi - $4.40
- Daniel Boone - $8.00
- Fire Type - $4.20
Race 3 - Ararat Rural City Council Maiden Plate (1100m)
Selection: General Blu Current odds: $1.50
General Blu returns after 39 weeks off but won a trial in the lead-up and looks the clear pick. At $1.50 off a long break, it is better used in multis than as a big straight bet. Hellofacury also returns from a long break with a trial placing. Dream For Free is a first starter from a stable to respect, and Optimus won a trial 30 days ago.
Selections:
- General Blu - $1.50
- Hellofacury - $9.50
- Dream For Free - $7.50
- Optimus - $10.00
Race 4 - Midland Irrigation BM66 Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Bold Bordeaux Current odds: $8.00
The winner should come from the top three. Bold Bordeaux won at Sale three runs back and comes from a good stable, so is our value pick. Restless Wind has never missed a place and resumes after 17 weeks as the favourite, so is the main danger. Southern Crescent ran third first-up on a soft track at Hamilton and has won second-up before. Midnight Devil has drawn barrier 1 and should lead.
Selections:
- Bold Bordeaux - $8.00
- Restless Wind - $3.40
- Southern Crescent - $7.00
- Midnight Devil - $9.50
Race 5 - AME Systems Maiden Plate (1600m)
Selection: Almorina Current odds: $7.50
Almorina finished strongly into second at Mortlake last start and has winkers on for the first time. Over the mile that should help. Vulcana has placed in both starts and also has winkers on for the first time, which makes it the favourite and the main danger. Nialah placed at Bendigo this preparation, and Trigger Warning backs up six days after a second at Ballarat.
Selections:
- Almorina - $7.50
- Vulcana - $2.35
- Nialah - $3.20
- Trigger Warning - $13.00
Race 6 - Bet365 Ararat Gold Cup (2200m)
Selection: Cable Dancer Current odds: $6.00
There is little between the top three in the Cup. Cable Dancer backs up seven days later with the blinkers back on and has drawn barrier 4, and at the price gets our vote. Aftermath led all the way to win on a soft track at Mortlake and is the favourite, so is the main danger, although barrier 9 is wider. Nothingelsematters won at Mornington last start and has won two from 11 this campaign. Saveadateforme placed at St Arnaud and won at Mornington two runs back.
Selections:
- Cable Dancer - $6.00
- Aftermath - $3.10
- Nothingelsematters - $7.50
- Saveadateforme - $9.00
Race 7 - Programmed Ararat Bowl (1300m)
Selection: Black Storm Current odds: $9.00
This should be close. Black Storm finished midfield at Bendigo last start but has drawn barrier 3 and is good value. Rue De Royale should be fitter now and is the favourite. Princess Que has drawn barrier 1, should lead or sit just off it, and placed in a trial 28 days ago. Miss Mahjong placed at Horsham last start and is a roughie.
Selections:
- Black Storm - $9.00
- Rue De Royale - $4.00
- Miss Mahjong - $18.00
- Princess Que - $7.00
Race 8 - Mixx FM BM66 Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Bold Strike Current odds: $3.60
This is our best bet of the day. Bold Strike drops in grade and comes from a stable to respect, and looks the class runner. Sinister Sauce won at Kilmore last start and should be fitter, so is the main danger. Don Rubio was well beaten first-up at Geelong but has won second-up before. Carnival Riches has been scratched, which helps the top two.
Selections:
- Bold Strike - $3.60
- Sinister Sauce - $6.00
- Don Rubio - $13.00
