Rusty is back with a double-header preview this Monday, covering both Port Macquarie and Ballarat Synthetic. We have gone through the key races at each track and picked out the best plays for punters. Track conditions look fair, so let’s dive into the action.
Rusty’s Port Macquarie Preview – Monday 1 September
Track is sitting around a Soft 5 and the weather looks fine, so it should be a fair day out. I have had a dig through the form and picked out the three races that matter most — Race 3, Race 6, and Race 7.
Race 3. Class 1 Handicap (1500m) – $27,000
#3 – Khant Fail (NZ) @ $2.40 Comes off a strong win here over 1800m on heavy ground after a close third at this trip the start before. Fit and in form, and clearly handles the wet.
#6 – Shezatempest @ $4.80 Seasoned mare who was placed at Newcastle on heavy going last start. She is honest, handles the distance, and looks a safe play.
#2 – Imarealamerican @ $16.00 Won his maiden here at Port over this exact trip on heavy ground. His recent runs have been plain but back to his pet set up he can improve.
Race 6. Benchmark 66 Handicap (1500m) – $27,000
#3 – Show ’Em Howl @ $2.25 Comes out of stronger company including a Highway at Randwick and a Benchmark 72 at Rosehill. Has run second at his last two in the country including here at Port over this trip.
#5 – Keep At ’Em @ $4.40 Won at Muswellbrook two back and was close up here in the heavy last start. Blinkers go on which should sharpen him up.
#1 – Bandasha @ $5.00 Brings good provincial and Queensland form with placings at Eagle Farm and Doomben earlier this year. Carries a big weight but has the ability to test these.
Race 7. Country Boosted Class 3 Handicap (1200m) – $30,000
#1 – Pony Soprano @ $1.85 Proven at Port with a win and a second from three runs here and already a dual winner at this distance. Has raced well in stronger company and is the clear top pick.
#4 – Nyali Sands @ $9.50 Has Highway form and was placed at Tamworth two runs back. Versatile mare who can handle most surfaces.
#5 – Kayz Time @ $11.00 Winner at this track earlier in the year and a narrow second on heavy ground at Taree. Draws the inside alley and can get a soft run.
Rusty’s Final Word – Port Macquarie
Best Bet: Pony Soprano (Race 7) – $1.85
Best Each Way: Shezatempest (Race 3) – $4.80
Best Value: Imarealamerican (Race 3) – $16.00
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Rusty’s Ballarat Synthetic Preview – Monday 1 September
The track is racing consistently this winter and the poly form has been holding up well. I’ve gone through the card and landed on three races that stand out for punters — Race 5, Race 6, and Race 7.
Race 5. Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m) – $32,000
#2 – Ongatiti (NZ) @ $8.00 Maher-trained galloper who has been stretched out over ground but has trialled well at shorter trips. Resuming fit and if he presses forward he can make a race of it.
#4 – Pentegra @ $21.00 Honest old campaigner who placed here on the poly earlier in August. Handles the surface and with the right tempo can sneak into the money.
#5 – The Silent Sermon @ $10.00 Placed in stronger grade here last start and has already won at this track. A grinder who keeps coming, and looks the value play to add into multiples.
Race 6. Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) – $32,000
#1 – Innocent Enuff @ $4.60 In flying form with two wins and two placings from her last four runs, all here on the synthetic. She makes her own luck on speed and is hard to go past again.
#5 – Frose @ $17.00 Veteran mare who loves this track with four wins here. She is tough, leads, and rarely gives in. Value runner if she gets control.
#8 – Over The Stars @ $7.50 Lightly raced and improving with placings at Bendigo and here on the poly. Well drawn to get a nice run and looks the danger to the favourite.
Race 7. Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m) – $32,000
#2 – My Symphony @ $5.50 Scored a breakthrough win here over 2100m last start and drops back to 1500m, where he has already placed on the poly. Still learning and improving, and is a genuine chance again.
#3 – All In Vain @ $3.60 Strong synthetic record with a win and two placings from five runs. Proven at the trip and has been competing well in staying races. Back to 1500m looks perfect and is the one to beat.
#7 – Whispering Pharaoh @ $16.00 Winner at Horsham over 2100m three starts back and has handled the Ballarat poly before. Needs tempo but if they overdo it up front he can rattle home late.
Rusty’s Final Word – Ballarat
Best Bet: All In Vain (Race 7) – $3.60
Best Each Way: Ongatiti (Race 5) – $8.00
Best Value: Frose (Race 6) – $17.00
