Australian racing tips – Sunday 6 October 2024 – Ballina

Race 4

A 3-year-old and a 4-year-old filly could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but TORQUE TOTHE STARS is taken to lead the field home. She finished well from some way back to end up in fifth place on debut over 1100M, two and a half lengths behind the winner. She would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she could be the one that they all have to beat, despite being drawn the widest of them all in gate twelve.

SELFLESS VALOUR had finished third twice prior to ending up in fourth spot last time out over 1200M, just over five lengths behind the winner, but the form of that race has been franked. She on the other hand has a useful draw two and gets cheekpieces fitted for the first time. If these have the desired effect, she should be a big runner here. In addition, she will get 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

NO RAGRETS has only had two runs to date, finishing third on debut over 1200M and then fifth next time out over 1320M, 2.8L back from the victor, but he was slow away that day, overraced in the early and middle stages and had to be held up on the home turn. He gets a handy draw four and should be included in all bets.

Race 5

There are four unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connections believe that they can win first-time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, DISCOTHEQUE may well prove to be the best. He is seldom too far off the action and was slow away and lost a shoe in running, before hanging in down the home straight, before finishing third last time out over 1100M, 3.8L off the winner. The gelding has pulled a cosy draw three and could prove hard to topple.

Two 3-year-old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to TOTALLY UNDERRATED who overraced throughout when finishing seventh first time out over 1100M, just under four lengths adrift of the victor. She would have come on further with that run under her belt and although drawn wideish in gate seven, on the plus side she will get 2kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice.

SPOILER has only had the two runs and tried to go from jump to wire when finishing sixth in her latest outing over 1100M, 7.7L behind the winner. She gets a set of blinkers fitted for today’s run and if these have the desired effect, she should not be overlooked in this line-up. She is drawn one outside the latter and is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.

Race 6

ZELGARIA was returning from a 19-week rest when finishing eighth last time out over 1200M, just over three and a half lengths behind the winner, but that was at a stronger centre and he raced wide throughout, before making good late progress over the closing stages. From his handy draw four and with 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he is made the best bet on the day’s card.

A 4-year-old filly and a 5-year-old mare could follow him home, with WENDT taken to secure the exacta. She finished powerfully for a well-timed win on debut over 1000M, albeit by just a short-head. She would have learnt from that outing and from her useful gate two, she could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.

UNCUT GEM had her consistency rewarded with her maiden victory last time out over 1200M, by a short-head. She takes on stronger here, but the form of that race has been franked and although drawn wideish in gate eight, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, NICKELBACK followed up his penultimate run victory over 1400M with a third-place finish next time out over the same trip, just under three and a half lengths back from the winner, but he was trapped three wide without cover in that event, but stayed on well over the latter stages. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and despite a wide draw eleven, he will be hoping to chalk up his fourth career victory.

ORPHAN’S TRUST is a 7-year-old mare taking on males, but she has cracked pole position and was returning from a 24-week break when showing solid improvement to win her last start over 1200M by a neck. She overraced in the early and middle stages on that occasions and had to be eased at the 800M mark, so she had her excuses. The mare gets the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice and should give the boys a good run for their money.

BILLY’S BRO tried to go from gun to tape and was returning from a slightly shorter 22-week spell when finishing second in his latest outing over 1200M, 1.8L behind the victor. He jumps from gate six and should be doing her best work late.