3 minute read

There are four meetings scheduled to take place on Tuesday, including at Ballarat where they are set to race on the synthetic track.

Race 7 Ballarat

Djockovic @ 4.60

Race 6 Bathurst

Commando Jack @ 5.50

Race 6 Kempsey

Slush Fund @ 5.00

 Djockovic to complete double 

The penultimate race on Ballarat's eight-race card is a 2100m Benchmark 58 handicap event.

Look Sharpish is expected to prove popular with punters, having won twice so far in 2024, including when taking the 1800m Kerang Cup at the end of March.

The seven-year-old appeared to appreciate the return to this venue when saluting in a 2200m Benchmark 64 handicap at the end of last month.

The mare was taking her course record to three wins from as many starts when saluting on that occasion and she rates highly in this field.

However, the Leon & Troy Corstens team are without a winner in the last 30 days, while apprentice Sarah Field is also on the cold list.

Simon Zahra's ex-Irish gelding DJOCKOVIC is preferred on this occasion, having made a winning synthetic track debut at Pakenham earlier this month.

The gelding came home just under half-a-length clear of his rivals when contesting a Benchmark 58 handicap that day.

Prior to that the pick had finished a good third when contesting a 2000m Benchmark 64 handicap on a soft 5 track at Wangaratta last month.

A wide barrier isn't ideal here, however, the selection was ridden with restraint last time out and similar tactics are expected in this contest.

 Jack for Bathurst glory 

The fourth race on the Bathurst card is a 1400m Class 1 handicap set to take place on a heavy 9 track.

Chico Casino is expected to feature towards the head of the market having demonstrated a liking for this venue earlier this year.

The three-year-old debuted with a win at this track when contesting a 1200m maiden held on a good 3 track at the start of February.

This son of Casino Prince went on to prove that wetter conditions are no issue to him when runner-up on a heavy 8 track when stepped up to 1400m here subsequently.

The gelding resumed with a second on a heavy 9 surface racing at this Class 1 level over 1100m at Dubbo on 30th June.

Trained by Dean Mirfin, this looks an easier contest than the one in which he finished fifth in at Wyong recently, however a wide alley isn't ideal in this event.

COMMANDO JACK broke his maiden on a heavy 9 track at Mudgee in May and, while unable to win in three subsequent starts, he did place third at the same venue on 7th July.

The selection raced over 1400m when beaten less than a length in a Class 2 handicap that day.

Trainer David J Smith's representative was set a tough task when stepped up to metro company for a Class 3 set weights contest over 1600m at Randwick.

Ultimately the gelding trailed in 11th or 12 having jumped at $41 and he tackles an easier contest here.

Clayton Gallagher's mount has an inside barrier here and the pair are selected to record a victory in testing conditions.

 Slush Fund for Kempsey success 

The penultimate contest on the Kempsey card is a 1450m Benchmark 58 handicap.

A soft 6 track is expected for the race with SLUSH FUND the selection to record his second win of 2024.

The three-year-old won on a soft 7 track when contesting a 1200m Benchmark 50 handicap at Tuncurry in January and has placed fourth twice since.

The most recent of those fourth-place finishes saw him beaten one-and-a-half-lengths when contesting a 1400m Class 2 handicap at Taree recently.

Jason Deamer's youngster has an inside barrier here and, with underfoot conditions to suit, is selected to register his third career win.