This Saturday: Ballarat Cup, Oaks and Derby heats

[Messenger]

Fields are out

3 NZ raiders for the Cup, 2 for the Derby and 1 for the Oaks

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA180120

[Showgrounds]

Two NZ fillies here for the Oaks, Dr Susan and Memphis Melody. Best filly in NZ not nominated. Disappointing not enough quality around for three heats.

[gutwagon]

Is it just a coincidence that Stewerts got a perfect split of runners in the Oaks and Derby heats ? I thought they were not splitting horses from the same stable anymore.

[aussiebreno]

Ballarat Cup field is a cracker. How good will the Hunter Cup be considering you have to make room for Thefixer, Bling It On, San Carlo and probably/possible Ignatius, Alta Orlando, Mach Shard, Triple Eight. Insane quality if they all get there fit and probably going to be some justifiably unhappy connections somewhere who miss out on a start.

[Messenger]

Who would have believed that NZ's Harness Cafe's thread on the Ballarat Cup would get more views than our own

https://www.racecafe.co.nz/forums/index.php?/forum/34-harness-cafe/

Not surprised to see The Storm Inside scratched
I know it could be for any number of reasons but he certainly failed at the trip last start

[Messenger]

I should have gone to Ballarat tonight, it would be good weather wise (assuming the talk of smoke haze is not a factor)

If any readers go, you could do me a favour. Can anybody tell me if there is a table for 2 on the 2nd tier of the Terrace restaurant as they like to call the main lounge (that is down from the majority of the floor level but not up against the glass). The table will be just to the left of the stairs which take one to the outside viewing area. I would have liked to book it again but was told that they were not doing tables for 2 on the 2nd tier (only the 3rd) - it has just got me beat what they might have put there for my memory tells me it was only big enough for a table of 2 as it was next to a column and stairs down to the terrace tables.

Pardon my eccentricity

ps It defies belief that Ballarat Dogs are on tonight too

[Messenger]

Oaks Ht 1
No doubt drawing the same heat as the NZ raiders didn't help but 0/3 Stewart runners qualifying is not the norm WRONG - with only 2 heats 6 qualify so Amelia Rose sneaks in
The Frisby stable would be very happy with Jenden Strike's fourth ever start

Oaks Ht 2
Well Majida does as expected and gives the Stewart stable a single qualifier for the Oaks
Sky are pathetic broadcasters - they gave us the home straight finish on ¼ screen so that they could show us a dog standing around and the odds for 2 other events
(should be watching Trots Vision but too many on the internet in holiday town Halls Gap tonight)

[Showgrounds]

Proper Derby and Oaks distances will sort out most locals. Too used to 2200 races, the NZs do that regularly as 2 year olds.

[Messenger]

I don't know that they race over that distance as much as they used to Trev (train?)
The R1 quinella had never raced over more than 2200

[Messenger]

Derby Ht 1
No wonder there were so many moves (which is what we like to see) - they were crawling and it ended up simply a sprint home

Derby Ht 2
Soooo easy for the Governor

Derby Ht 3
Just about the race of the night IMO. A challenge for the lead when refused always makes things more interesting.
Line Up certainly showed what he can do when he behaves
If Clayton Tonkin is not still part of the Stewart barn, he has had a bad night

[Messenger]

The Cup turned into a NZ benefit

[Showgrounds]

Stop Watch sales will go through the roof this week, Self Assured just smashed everyone at the Ballarat track.

Well deserved win to A Gs White Socks, one of my favourite naughty horses now realising his early potential.

[Messenger]

A big crowd also saw the Downbytheseaside Victoria Derby be turned on its head as pre-series favourites Smooth Deal and Be Happy Mach failed to earn direct finals qualification

http://www.harnesslink.com/International/A-Gs-White-Socks-salutes-in-Ballarat-Cup

What does author Michael Howard mean by 'direct finals qualification'. What is with the 'direct' - they didn't qualify, there is no other way of qualifying is there!

[aussiebreno]

Early thoughts Oaks Stylish Memphis to beat Dr Susan and Maajida

Early thoughts Derby between Line Up, Bad to the Bone and Governor Jujon but the top 3 from the first heat also chances - just hard to get a read when they walked.

Top 5 from the Ballarat Cup magnificent.

Interesting contestant amongst the TrotStars comp last night - Chris Gleeson had a stable

[Messenger]

Not surprised to see The Storm Inside scratched
I know it could be for any number of reasons but he certainly failed at the trip last start

The Storm Inside was scratched from the Group One after breaking his near-hind sesamoid.
..... Even when he is back to full strength his racing are over and he will more than likely stand at stud

http://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=42554

You would have to wonder whether he had the confirmation you would like in a sire

[Messenger]

Good coverage of the Cup on Win/Ballarat news
Are Major regional tracks our future?