SPORTSBET BALLARAT Wednesday May 23.

Track comes up heavy at Ballarat and got Weiritis again – down for 4 wins on home base including best bet as value for the day. Rail out as far as you’d want 15m from the 600m to winning post, no opinion given that on pattern for the day.

BEST BET: CHOISBORDER R6 #8 and $6 is best value also.

Race 1: 3-2-8-5

Been a huge push ($4.6 into $2.7) here for IAM EKSTRAORDINARY, failed in betting Tatura  ($3.2 to $2.9) before a break but found to have issues and undergone surgery on knees. The money says yes again and that’s positive from this stable. But short enough for me with reservations as a 5YO (just 2 starts). Seen a bit of first starter MAXBUX via trials and jumpouts including 2nd Jukebox recent Cranbourne trial which is obviously good enough if replicated raceday against even moderate lot. MISS PRESTIGOUS was distant 4th in hot city maiden where 1st and 2nd there are handy. MY BOY GREG has had chances, is city placed and won Tatura trial for this return.

SUGGESTED: Happy to think MAXBUX can make a winning debut – if handles the ground. Respect betting push IAM EKSTRAORDINARY.

Race 2: 1-2-11-7

ANJANA (Weir) was a $9 debut winner at Wangaratta but could have done no more and looked as though more to come. Short enough enough now though.  RIVER STAR had the blinkers on and showed she can handle the ground when winning her maiden, that’s a big plus here in a race of queries. Only seen ZUME FORWARD once and that was behind Marcel From Madrid – (Stakes winner Adelaide last Saturday). But also SOLAR STAR drops sharply in grade and DAME OF THRONES was in hot race The Bool on affected ground.

SUGGESTED: Good race – ANJANA one to beat but well found market.

Race 3: 4-5-6-2

CLEOPATRA’S GLORY had little luck vital stage resuming, can atone here. JOCASTA is racing well without winning but comes through strong form races. SCOLARIA was a distant 2nd last time but that behind a rising star Jamaican Rain at Cranbourne. HUSSY’S GLOW beat home OUR SEVIRA when she was fresh up, both had issues with clear running late, but think the former has more improvement.

SUGGESTED: Liking CLEOPATRA’S GLORY here. The $4.4 appealed at time of assessment.

Race 4: 11-8-2-1

Running with the fresh ones here with some trepidation on the ground but just think they might have more ability than opposition. That is MISTER JAY (a fresh winner albeit at Stony Creek) in 1st preparation and ASSET RICH who was put straight away after unlucky January run. DU SUMPENT is also fresh but better than last campaign. Home track suits. And if the best of POSEIDON’S POOL turns up then would easily account for these but little evidence of that happening unless the Weir magic has worked at new stable. He also has another hope in MR SINATRA (Lane rides).

SYGGESTED: Not that convinced here but can stake both lightly raced pair 8 & 11.

Race 5: 5-7-8-9

Not much recent winning form to grab you apart from GIBBON (respected yes off closing win over SOVEREIGN DUKE – excuses for Bool failure since) but putting INVINCINBLE AL on top after pleasing Cranbourne trial to get it ready to resume. Ground shouldn’t be an issue. LORD BARRINGTON has no recent wins but in a race that might suit.

SUGGESTED: Quite like INVINCIBLE AL off trial.

Race 6: 8-12-1-4

This race is start of a series heading to Flemington next month so little doubt numerous target runners here. Leaning Weir with CHOISBORDER (now gelded) who was strong at The Valley before a break after testing the talented William Thomas. Clear top pick and like the odds. MISS LEONIDAS has the fitness edge on a few of these off likeable return Sandown. AVANTI ROSE put three together last campaign and obviously keen on this series. McGARRETT showed talent at Sandown, put away and resumed for Oliver. FREEZE OVER runs well without winning, Egyptian Bullet form will read well again.

SUGGESTED: Good race, CHOISBORDER on top. $6 is attractive.

Race 7: 6-10-11-4

Evenly graded here. Default to Weir, GIMME STRENGTH was sound Ballarat 1400m 3rd run in (on a heavy), looking for 1600m now and ground ok. HOLLYWOOD VINE just didn’t like the synthetic surface at Pakenham. Previous turf runs were good. WATCHMESPIN is well graded, back from 2000m will help. BUT IT’S TRUE is competitive but doubt a winning player.

SUGGESTED: Weiry GIMME STRENGTH.

Race 8: 5-4-10-1

CAPTAIN HARRY seems to have come back a much better racehorse winning both starts this campaign – took 12 to win 1 and then backed it up in style and not ignoring the form or Weir transformation. MAXEY CAMPO is back from 1700m and I like that profile as a threat. CRYPTO PEER ROCKS maintains consistent form without winning. PAKAYA PRINCE in quaddie because of heavy track form. Ditto HONOLULU LASS quickly to 1600m after luckless run Wang.

SUGGESTED: Believe winning form and Weir – CAPTAIN HARRY but wide for quaddie.

QUADDIE:

4-7-8-9

8

6-10

1-4-5-7-10

$40 for 100%