Mitchbet

There’s nothing quite like a Tuesday arvo punt and they’re on the turf at Ballarat this week. The card has a few horses that have been around the block, however I’m keen to back a few runners who have some scope about them and that are improving types. It has been raining on Monday and the Ballarat track is notoriously bad at handling rain. Hopefully we’re on not much worse than a soft 5. Happy punting!

Race 2 Number 2 Belle Savoir

Found it hard to split Devout Hero and Belle Savoir, but the scratching of the former has narrowed this race right down. Belle Savoir has won and run second in two jumpouts in attractive fashion before her debut here. Has to contend with a wide barrier but has the services of Craig Williams. Getting close to being too short at $2.35, but think he can overcome those runners that have race experience.

Race 3 Number 7 Euphegenia

The Andrew Noblet filly had a tough first preparation with excuses on the Heavy at Sandown and also the Synthetic track at Ballarat. She looks to have come back a different horse in two jumpouts, where she has run good time. Has been working in blinkers and wears them on race day for the first time. Can make a case for the Dabernig and Hayes runner Winter In Paris who looks to have improved since her break. Looking to take on Kasmami at the price. She’s getting very short at $1.95 and the strength of form from her last start is pretty shallow.

Race 5 Number 5 Cheeky Peaky

A lightly raced 4yo gelding who ran second in a Bendigo benchmark 64 race that I think has a bit of depth. First and third could definitely be competitive in midweek metro grade and this guy also has that scope. 1600m is ideal and should be peaking here fourth up. He also gets the services of stable apprentice Tatum Bull. That rapport is advantageous being an apprentice only race. Tatum has also been on board for both of his better runs. Cheeky Peaky has been well backed into favourite and has the upside to win this.

Race 6 Number 10 Twain’s Express

Always love seeing the John McArdle/Jamie Mott combination and even better when you see he’s in the navy and lime racing silks. This 3YO filly has a victory over Confrontational and a second to La Mexicana on her form card. Returns to the track with two jumpouts, the most recent one ridden quietly out the back, hitting the line under her own steam in 54.99 over 900m. Harlem Blues and The Mobot are definitely the better of the exposed runners, but it looks like Twain’s Express has come back in excellent form.

Race 7 Number 7 El Santo

At the price, I think El Santo is a good each way bet returning to his home track. Was slow away and posted four wide at Bendigo first up, after he looked really sharp in a prior jumpout. Gets the blinkers off for the first time and also gets the services of senior rider John Allen. If El Santo can match his run in the Derby Trial, he’s right in this. Happy to play each way at the $27/7. Wild Spree a danger and must for the quaddie. Barangaready was a good thing on Saturday at Edenhope but they elected to scratch and come here instead.