BEST BET: Can't Be Done (Ballarat Race 5, No.1)
NEXT BEST: Sovereign Award (Moonee Valley, Friday night, Race 3, No.4)
VALUE BET: Quackerjack (Wyong Saturday, Race 6, No.15)
BALLARAT
Race 2
On an extremely challenging day of punting at Ballarat, punters should be able to strike a blow with Bam's On Fire.
The Maher/Eustice-trained mare finished last campaign with three straight wins before a placing at Flemington.
She appears to have come back in good order on the back of some eye-catching jump-outs and will be worth sticking with this campaign.
She has never missed a placing in four prior first-up runs and is worth backing as early as possible, as I anticipate that she will continue to attract market support.
The most intriguing runner is Prince Of Caviar, the son of superstar Black Caviar.
The four year-old has won one of his five career starts with three additional placings and if he wasn't out of the greatest sprinter of all-time, he would be described as a quality runner.
He resumed from a spell when running second at Ballarat behind Mumbles - unfortunately he proved costly that run starting a $1.60 favourite.
Despite his sprinting pedigree he is racing like a horse looking for 1600 metres and is worth sticking with as he steps up in distance.
Suggested bet: Bam's On Fire.
Race 4
The best backed runner at Ballarat on Saturday is the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Rathlin in the clockwork classic for the two-year-olds.
Rathlin made his debut at Flemington when finishing seventh in the Maribyrnong plate.
He never really looked comfortable in the run and should take benefit from the outing and appreciate the turn.
Rathlin opened a $5 chance and has been backed into $3.
Bets along the way include $7000 the win and $3000 the place at $4.20 and $1.70, $2000 at $3.60 and $1000 at $4.
The initial favourite Euphoric Summer has eased from $3.80 to $4.20 as a result of the money coming for Rathlin.
Euphoric Summer ran a terrific second at Caulfield on debut when making a sustained run to go past the leaders before being overtaken by Tanker.
With the drift Euphoric Dancer now holds appeal and I thought there was more to like about her run than Rathlin.
Suggested bet: Euphoric Summer the win.
Race 8
A strong edition of the Ballarat Cup with the early money coming for Dr Drill.
Dr Drill has had a lengthy and tremendous campaign including wins at Flemington, Randwick, Rosehill and last start in the Cranbourne Cup and again there is no reason why he won't be competitive.
Fifty Stars comes out of the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes won by Magic Wand and he looks well placed to win his first race of the campaign.
At longer odds there has been early money for the Chris Waller duo of The Lord Mayor who has been $17 into $16 and Another Dollar who has been $16 into $15.
One punter is keen on the Mike Moroney-trained Hang Man parting with $4000 each-way at $11 the win and $3.60 the place.
If Hang Man can salute the punter will collect $58,400.
Hang Man has had a mixed campaign to date with the highlight his victory in the Benalla Cup.
Suggested bet: Dr Drill the win.
KEMBLA GRANGE
Race 8
The inaugural running of the $1 Million The Gong.
A big and competitive field with El Dorado Dreaming and Luvaluva heading the market at $5.50.
El Dorado Dreaming is chasing her first win since her only career victory which was in April last year when she caused a huge upset winning the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick when under the care of now suspended trainer Ben Smith.
Luvaluva also won on April 7 last year and is without a victory since.
Both runners have a touch of class and are consistent and should be respected, but it is a race with many chances.
The best backed runner has been Quackerjack who despite the wide draw has been backed from $11 into $6.50 since the barrier draw.
Suggested Bet: Quackerjack each-way.
BIG BETS
BALLARAT
$7,000 x $3,000 e/w @ $4.20/$1.75 on (race 4, no.3)
$4,000 @ $2.90 on Li' Kontra (race 9, no.11)
$3,000 @ $3.90 on Zorro's Dream (race 5, no.6)
$1,500 @ $2.30 AND $1,000 @ $2.25 on Bam's On Fire (race 2, no.3)
KEMBLA GRANGE
$1,000 @ $5 AND $2,000 @ $3.90 on Trumbull (race 8, no.9)
$1,000 @ $2.50 on Destination (race 1, no.2)
MORPHETTVILLE
$3,000 @ $3.10 AND $2,000 @ $2.70 on Fly For Yulong (race 8, no.2)
ASCOT
$1,500 @ $3.70 on Dig Deep (race 7, no.1)