The $200,000 Ballarat Cup is the last black-type race of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2014.
Bookmakers have chalked up Robert Smerdon’s Spinderbella as the favourite following her victory at Moonee Valley last time out under Glen Boss. The five-year-old mare is by Spinning World and is unbeaten at Ballarat after two previous victories. Connections will have been delighted with the draw in barrier three and Chad Schofield takes over the reins on Saturday.
Smerdon had originally intended running Spinderbella in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington but swerved that race due to the fast ground. He won this race in 1996 with McGuane and will also saddle Electric Fusion (drawn 17).
My idea of the winner is Dan O’Sullivan’s Tuscan Fire despite having to carry joint top weight of 60kg. The eight-year-old will have the assistance of champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy and will pop out from barrier one. He was a good fourth over a shorter trip Melbourne Cup Day and that should have put him spot on for this race.
Chris Waller saddles four-year-old Vilanova (drawn 2) while the first two home in the Ararat Cup, Mujadale and At First Sight, will clash again. Mujadale has much the better of the draw here and it would be no surprise to see the form confirmed.
The colours of OTI Racing have been prominent in recent weeks with the successes of Au Revoir and Renew. They are pinning their hopes of Count Of Limonade here, although trainer Mick Price has issued a warning that he will not run on fast ground. He was pulled out of the Group 2 Zipping Classic at Sandown last Saturday with a high temperature but the Moe Cup winner is reported to be back in excellent health. He finished fifth in the Bendigo Cup with Price insisting that he would have fared better on easier ground.
The tough mare Waltzing To Win could sneak into the frame with her low weight but I am siding with McEvoy to steer home Tuscan Fire with Mujadale good value for a place at around 10-1. T
Tuscan Fire @7.0 Sportsbet*
Mujadale @11.0 Sportsbet
Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4
* If your horse finishes runner-up in the Ballarat Cup, Sportsbet will refund your stake as a free bet up to a maximum $100.
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