Race 1

9- PLAYBOY CHARLIE

6- DANRENA

3- WHOSEZOU

First race on a tough day at Balaklava today, PLAYBOY CHARLIE looks ready to win here. Is only lightly raced and consistent. He was 2nd when resuming for the new stable and should appreciate being fitter 2nd up and the rise in distance. DANRENA is a last start winner after looking close prior to that. Comes in well at the weights after the claim and will appreciate the track conditions. WHOSEZOU was disappointing last start but prior to that had 2 really good runs in races that on paper are tougher than this today. A chance to be a big improver.

Race 2

7- GARRIRE

11- GRAVITY

1- MR RANGER

GARRIRE looks the one here after he seemed to recapture some good form in his last start 2nd. He got a bit too far back that day and had a lot to do late. From barrier 5 and with a senior jockey, I’m expecting he can find a more forward position. GRAVITY was 3rd in the race GARRIRE contested. He endured a tough wide run but was finishing off nicely. Comes in real light at weights and that potentially gives him a big advantage late. MR RANGER drops in grade from recent outings, is unplaced over the 1600m which is the query on his chances.

Race 3

3- FOX D’OR (BEST OF DAY)

8- FLIGHT DECK

1- HARBOURING

FOX D’OR comes back in grade and back to provincial level from his last start where he found a good field too sharp. His 2 runs prior were nice wins including one here at this track/distance. He is drawn well and going well. Should be tough to beat here. FLIGHT DECK takes a big step down in grade coming off runs at Listed and Group level. He was a big outsider in those but in the last start wasn’t far off the winner who is a sharp horse. HARBOURING continues to be super consistent this prep, has only missed the placing 3 times in his past 10 and in that 10 is 4 wins. He has weight here which may slow him up but also has a very good record at this track.

Race 4

9- FLYING BARTY

14- THE WEIGHT

13- SPIRITUAL GAL

Almost a bit of a nightmare this race. There are some horses that look quite handy and have a promising future, but the higher rated runners have drawn horribly. I’ve got FLYING BARTY on top, he has a better barrier (not by many though) than others, he probably wont be to worried as I think he lands midfield anyway. There has been good form come from the races he has contested in his lightly raced career. THE WEIGHT had a bit of spruce around him prior to a debut. Didn’t manage a win but was consistent and has since joined a new stable. Wants to lead but the barrier hurts, if he is made to work too much out wide, to find the lead he may fade late. SPIRITUAL GAL also wants to be on speed but has the bad draw. May need some luck.

Race 5

7- TONY MONTANA

14- LIGHTS OF BROADWAY

4- FAMILY ADDITION

TONY MONTANA should take big improvement out of his debut run where he finished off impressively over the 1200m and now rises in distance to the 1400m which really looks like it will suit him. He is only lightly raced so hopefully has some upside. LIGHTS OF BROADWAY is another who showed in her last start that rising to the 1400m will really suit. She is light at the weights and will likely be flashing late if she finds clear room late. FAMILY ADDITION didn’t look to appreciate the 1600m. He comes back to the 1400m which should be more suitable. 3rd up today which when he was 3rd up last prep it was his best career performance to date.

Race 6

15- MAID IN MILAN (EW/VALUE OF THE DAY)

10- EMINENT SON

2- CAPTAIN SOLO

MAID IN MILAN finds suitable conditions here today which can hopefully see her improve to the form that had her win here over the track/distance. She wasn’t far off some good runners when at big odds last start. EMINENT SON kicked his prep off with a 2nd placing here at the track and distance. He has good speed and will look to push forwards but the wide barrier leaves him susceptible to getting caught wide. CAPTAIN SOLO resumed well last prep and was only 2nd to a smart horse. Only query I have is the size of the field may play against him as he is a get back run on type and may need luck late. 3rd emergency MR HAVE A CHAT looks unlikely to get a run but if he enters the field, may be a big chance.

Race 7

2- SABAKU

1- BON PEGASUS

8- BELLA SOO

SABAKU & BON PEGASUS battled it out for the quinella in there last start with BON PEGASUS just getting the edge. Giving SABAKU A chance to turn that around today. She is drawn only slightly better, but I think that the fact she will more than likely push more forwards will help her late. If BON PEGASUS finds herself too far back in the run, she may have trouble and need luck late. Map BELLA SOO as the likely leader in this race, she should have the speed and is drawn well. She is a chance to run away with it if she is given the lead too easily.

Race 8

4- VIVALDI’S QUEST

17- CANIDAE

2- MOSCOW MULE

VIVALDI’S QUEST has been in good form of late having not missed the top 3 in his last 5 starts. He has a good 2:2-0-0 record over this track and distance and should really appreciate the conditions. Only small knock for him today is how hard he will have to work from the wide barrier. CANIDAE is another who’s recent form has been consistent. Has good form at this track and draws for a soft run. MOSCOW MULE is the current race fave. Resuming today and has previously won 1st up. She is a bit of an unknown on a soft track if that’s what the conditions are come race time.

SALE BEST BETS

R1/7- WINNING REVOLUTION

• Thought his debut performance at Morphettville was really strong. Showed huge fight late in that race to only go down by a small margin against a highly rated 2yo. Again, the run was really impressive and he still did some things wrong so could be a improver having had race experience now.

R5/5- ECLIPSE SOLAR (EW/VALUE)

• Was 2nd here 2 starts back over the same track/distance. He led them up but faded late. Had a wide barrier that day and draws in barrier 3 here today. Potentially with a softer run he could see out the trip and be amongst the finish. Has also never missed the top 3 over a 1400m trip so looks a good EW bet the current $8/$2.7 price.

R8/2- FRENCH WAR

• Won well over this track/trip last start when he was carrying a very big weight. Given, this is now a step up in grade, but the way he won with the big weight suggests he will be capable of winning at this level now.

Balaklava Quaddie

1,4,8,13

1,3,4,6,8,9,12

1,3

5,7,10