The time-honoured Ballarat Cup will be run and won on Saturday with a classy field accepted for the race.
There is plenty of opportunities to fill up the account and our full 2021 Ballarat Cup Tips & Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1 – 12:10pm – The Haymarket BM84 Handicap (1400m)
Tip:No. 4 Lighthouse
Lighthouse is one of the most intriguing runners on the entire card on Ballarat Cup Day.
The five year old grey mare made her Australian racing debut when scoring by four lengths at Kyneton first up and she will take a lot of improvement out of that run.
She raced with a lot of success in the United States before travelling down under and has drawn well in barrier five.
Astute placement by the Maher and Eustace team.
Race 2 – VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockade (1400m)
Tip: No. 7 Decent Raine
I’ve got a bit of an opinion about the Maher And Eustace trained filly Decent Raine and although she is quite immature still, she has plenty of natural ability.
She was held up at a vital stage at Flemington last start but was doing her best work late in the race.
Jye McNeil jumps on her back for the first time and with even luck she will be tough to beat.
Race 3 – 1:10pm – Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m)
Tip: No. 2 Nothing Silly
Nothing Silly made a winning start to her race career at Bendigo over 1000m and she had a bit in the tank when crossing the line.
She will take plenty of benefit from that race experience and on exposed form, looks the one to beat.
Race 4 – 1:45pm – Richies IGA Mares BM78 Handicap (1200m)
Tip: No. 3 Score
Five year old mare Score was last seen at the races in May when finishing 3.5 lengths behind Plaquette in a benchmark 84 at Caulfield.
She is capable of producing a rating high enough to win a race of this quality from the good draw in barrier five.
Race 5 – 2:20pm – Hertz Ballarat Tonks Plate Handicap (1200m)
Tip: NNo. 5 The Gauch
The Gauch has finished inside the top two in 10 of his 12 career race starts including his last three in a row.
He was dominant when scoring by two lengths at Sale before being narrowly denied in the Sprinters Country Cup Final at The Valley last start.
He’s drawn perfectly in barrier five and gets in well at the weights in the smallish field.
Race 6 – 3:00pm – A Grade Sheds BM70 Handicap (1100m)
Tip: No. 8 Marabi
Marabi has not put a hoof wrong in her three career starts, winning all three by a combined 15.5 lengths.
The five year old daughter of I Am Invincible clearly took some time to get to the race track but she is a very promising talent.
This looks an ideal way for her to start her campaign despite the big weight.
Race 7 – 3:40pm – Global Turf BM84 Handicap (2000m)
Tip: No. 8 Fifth Position
Fifth Position was well supported in betting at Flemington on Oaks day when narrowly defeated by Djukon over 1800m.
He gets out to a more favourable distance now and should be plenty fit for this assignment.
Race 8 – 4:20pm – Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m)
Tip: No. 6 Zayydani & No. 13 Only Word
Happy to have a two bet strategy in the feature with two in form mares each way prices.
Zayydani is a high class race mare who has been placed in 10 of her 17 career race starts.
She broke through for a much deserved win in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington last start and looks well placed again.
The Chris Waller trained Only Word is a mare with a heap of upside.
She was dominant when winning at The Valley by 1.25 lengths last start and has form around some very good horses right throughout this prep.
Race 9 – 5:00pm – Suez McKellar Mile BM78 Handicap (1600m)
Tip: No. 1 Bermadez
Bermadez was dominant when resuming at Sale scoring by 3.75 lengths over 1400m.
The lightly raced five year old gelding then made it four wins from just seven career starts when taking out the Country Final at Flemington on Oaks Day.
He is being asked to carry the big weight in this event but looks well placed yet again.
Race 10 – 5:40pm – Magic Millions Ballarat 3YO & 4YO Classic (1100m)
Tip: Boxed Tri 2/7/11/12
You know what to do.
Box them up in the last and hope for the best!