Ballina races seven times on Sunday, with the first race at 1:20pm, and the track is rated a Good 4. The card is mostly maidens and benchmark handicaps run at country level, so form is thin in places and the betting market matters. Prices below were taken on Saturday evening and will move.
Our value play is French Melody in Race 7. Latin Lights in Race 4 is the most likely winner on the card, but he is short. Discreet Point in Race 3 is another we like.
Race 1 - TAB Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1300m)
Selection: Prestige Exotic Current odds: $3.00
Prestige Exotic ran third at Lismore last start and has a good draw, and he is trained by Stephen and Jordan Lee. Subsiding is the market favourite at $2.00 after finishing well to run fourth at Lismore, and he is the main danger. The Jett Newman and Matthew Dunn combination has won plenty of races together. Checks’n’Balances has three placings this preparation but did not fire last time at Bowraville. Sweet September also ran fourth at Lismore and is the long shot of the four.
Selections:
- Prestige Exotic - $3.00
- Subsiding - $2.00
- Checks’n’Balances - $5.50
- Sweet September - $10.00
Race 2 - Hartleys Fresh Market Ballina Fair Maiden Handicap (1590m)
Selection: So Sain Current odds: $3.80
So Sain has three placings from six runs this preparation and folded late when fifth at Lismore last start, but she should be positive early and this race suits her. Money On My Mind was beaten only a length and a half when second at Armidale and has early speed, which makes her the main danger. Mission Wise is rated at the same price as So Sain after running fifth at Dalby. Oakfield Galaxy backs up quickly and finished well for third at the Gold Coast, so she is a place chance. King Conquer is another to watch from a good stable.
Selections:
- So Sain - $3.80
- Mission Wise - $3.80
- Money On My Mind - $9.50
- Oakfield Galaxy - $10.00
Race 3 - Ballina Cup On January 15 BM66 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Discreet Point Current odds: $2.90
Discreet Point is first-up after a 28-week break, was in the finish at Ballarat last time, and has gone to a new trainer with his form improving. He is the market favourite and we think the price is fair. Diamantina Rose was third at Ipswich last start, drops in grade and has won three times this campaign, so she is the main danger. Kirra’s Sister was right there at Grafton and has a good draw. Cool Fizz can overcome a wide gate with a big claim in the saddle. The Rookie was beaten less than a length at Talwood and should not be overlooked.
Selections:
- Discreet Point - $2.90
- Diamantina Rose - $3.50
- Kirra’s Sister - $5.50
- Cool Fizz - $11.00
Race 4 - TAB Country Boosted BM58 Handicap (1590m)
Selection: Latin Lights Current odds: $2.50
Latin Lights picked up late to win at Grafton last start and has improved with each run, so he is the clear favourite. The price is short, so he is better used in multis than as a single bet. Dark Chill has early speed and a good draw, though he has to carry more weight. Artie Lady has a good draw and the Newman and Dunn combination riding and training. Turn Left backs up quickly and has plenty of early speed. Narukami won last start at Bowraville and is a place chance.
Selections:
- Latin Lights - $2.50
- Dark Chill - $5.50
- Artie Lady - $10.00
- Turn Left - $10.00
Race 5 - Boxing Day Races @ Ballina Super Maiden Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Sha From The Jar Current odds: $3.30
This is a maiden with little form, so keep stakes small. Sha From The Jar was beaten three-quarters of a length at Coffs Harbour on debut and always finishes well, which makes him the clear favourite. Magic Snitzel was fourth at Coffs Harbour first-up, has a good draw and early speed, and is the next best. Moonlit Aura is making her debut for Adam Campton and goes in with a tongue tie, so follow the market on her. Royal Eyre has shown early pace but faded last start. Tszinsi was an early pick in some previews but has been scratched.
Selections:
- Sha From The Jar - $3.30
- Magic Snitzel - $4.60
- Moonlit Aura - $7.00
- Royal Eyre - $23.00
Race 6 - Happy 70th Birthday Noakesy BM74 Handicap (1300m)
Selection: Moscow Circus Current odds: $2.90
Moscow Circus was ninth at the Gold Coast last time but has the ability to bounce back in a weaker field, and he is the favourite. Barello ran fifth at Lismore and drops in weight with a good draw, so he can go close. Shredded loses the blinkers for the first time and has been tailing off lately, which makes him a risk. The Torque Xpress carries less weight and wears blinkers for the first time. Nails And Pride has two wins from nine this campaign and cannot be left out of the exotics.
Selections:
- Moscow Circus - $2.90
- Shredded - $5.00
- The Torque Xpress - $5.50
- Barello - $6.50
Race 7 - Ballina RSL Class 1 Handicap (1250m)
Selection: French Melody Current odds: $3.70
French Melody is our value play of the day. She was run down late at Grafton in fifth, has won at Murwillumbah and has been consistent since coming back from a spell. Maurraqa is the favourite at $2.25 first-up from a break, but he was ninth last start on a heavy track at Eagle Farm and rises in weight, so we prefer French Melody at the better price. Torque So Hot is quick back-up after a fifth at the Gold Coast and won at Grafton three runs ago. Don’t Tellyafather drops into country grade and is a place chance.
Selections:
- French Melody - $3.70
- Maurraqa - $2.25
- Torque So Hot - $7.50
- Don’t Tellyafather - $13.00
