Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Victoria · Tuesday 25 August 2026
Our top pick won 1 of 7 races at Ballarat Synthetic. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Convaaya is the model of consistency, having placed in three of his last four starts over 2100-2200m, including a close third on the Ballarat Synthetic over 2200m. From barrier 1 he maps perfectly and should give every sight in a moderate-run maiden. The concern is the maiden tag after 11 starts and top weight, so he rates a strong place chance and a live win threat behind Eye Tracker.
Smart Moves showed clear improvement when runner-up over today's exact 2100m course/distance at Ballarat Synthetic on Aug 9. The small-field pressure should allow him to hold a handy spot from barrier 4, and the stable/jockey combination has positive numbers.
Coffey replaces Allen and combines with a fit, improving mare. The main concerns are the wide gate and winless record, but her trajectory and distance profile stack up best in a moderate-tempo maiden.
He is the clear value runner, though his 0-for-12 record limits confidence.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 | Just Swift | 13 | John Allen | Mitchell Freedman | 57.5kg | $2.80 |
| 2nd | 11 | Only Opera | 10 | Declan Bates | Henry Dwyer | 57.5kg | $4.40 |
| 3rd | 1 | Convaaya | 1 | Cian Macredmond | Matthew Cumani | 59.5kg | $7.00 |
| 4th | 13 | Stelletta | 2 | Zac Spain | Shane Nichols & Hayden Black | 57.5kg | $14.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Churchillena | 11 | Will Gordon | Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | 57.5kg | $31.00 |
| 6th | 12 | Yakapna | 5 | Alana Kelly | Thomas Conlan | 57.5kg | $16.00 |
| 7th | 3 | Le Plus Rapide | 7 | Teodore Nugent | Ann-Jeanette Tindale | 59.5kg | $9.50 |
| 8th | 5 | Star Of Tennyson | 3 | Liana Wood | Timothy McGuigan | 56.5kg | $21.00 |
| 9th | 2 | Kovu | 6 | Jade Smith | Dane Smith | 56.5kg | $71.00 |
| 10th | 4 | Smart Moves | 4 | Jamie Mott | T Rogers | 59.5kg | $7.50 |
| 11th | 6 | The Toronado Kid | 8 | Ryan Hurdle | Chris Calthorpe | 59.5kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 7 | Where Eagles Dare | 14 | Neil Farley | Henry Dwyer | 59.5kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Eye Tracker | 12 | Harry Coffey | Shane Jackson | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 14 | Roll With It | 9 | Craig Atkinson | B R Crofts | 57.5kg |
Havana Moon has the strongest overall form line, with five placings from eight starts and a third over this track and distance on Aug 6. The main concern is a 0-8 win record, but this moderate maiden shapes as her best opportunity to break through.
Peace Seeker produced her best effort when runner-up at this track and distance on Jul 27, and her synthetic form reads well. The last-start failure over 1400m can be forgiven with the drop back to 1200m, but barrier 16 and the jockey's cold recent strike rate temper confidence. She remains the most credible threat to Havana Moon and rates a solid place play.
The step up to 1200m and the inside draw give her every chance to settle closer, while the tongue tie is a positive gear change. In an open maiden she is the clear third pick and a strong place chance at each-way value.
Our Inheritance is an unraced type who caught the eye with a third in a Bendigo trial on Aug 18, beaten only a nose. Harry Coffey's booking and the inside barrier give him a workable map, and maidens at this level are often won by fresh runners with upside.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11 | Double Dodger | 9 | Craig Newitt | Jerome Hunter | 55kg | $6.00 |
| 2nd | 8 | Peace Seeker | 16 | Teodore Nugent | C Maher | 57.5kg | $4.40 |
| 3rd | 12 | Fire In Your Heart | 10 | Declan Bates | Archie Alexander | 55kg | $7.00 |
| 4th | 3 | Havana Moon | 11 | John Allen | V L Malady | 57.5kg | $2.25 |
| 5th | 7 | Our Inheritance | 5 | Harry Coffey | Rhys Archard | 57.5kg | $13.00 |
| 6th | 4 | Hot Pot Dot | 4 | Sarah Field | Dan O'Sullivan | 56kg | $51.00 |
| 7th | 16 | Rock It Fuel | 7 | Tom Madden | Ben O'Farrell | 59.5kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 10 | Trigger Warning | 2 | Toby Atkinson | Ann-Jeanette Tindale | 57kg | $19.00 |
| 9th | 1 | Mr Nipper | 12 | Alana Kelly | Daniel Kelly | 59.5kg | $71.00 |
| 10th | 9 | Aurora Mink | 14 | Valentin Le Boeuf | Anthony Cosgriff | 57kg | $31.00 |
| 11th | 5 | Kenya Win | 8 | Ryan Hurdle | Dan O'Sullivan | 57.5kg | $71.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Go Go Ruby | 3 | Ben Allen | John R Allen | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 6 | Ostrica | 13 | Jason Maskiell | Shawn Mathrick | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 13 | Cowboykickedfive | 15 | Reece Goodwin | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Pragmatic Lady | 1 | Zac Spain | Shane Nichols & Hayden Black | 55kg | |
| Scr | 15 | My Destiny | 6 | Makisha Salter | Adele Garraway | 55.5kg | |
| Scr | 17 | Wunderlust | 17 | Neil Farley | M Sell | 57.5kg |
Lancetta is the clear form anchor with two placings from two attempts over this exact course and distance, including a narrow second latest. John Allen replaces the previous rider and the Maher stable is hitting good numbers. The likely strong tempo gives her a target if she can slot in just off the speed.
Collectionneur made a bright debut two weeks ago when third at Ballarat Synthetic, travelling like a horse with more to give. Blinkers come off and the step to 1500m should suit her staying pedigree. Harry Coffey's booking is a positive and the inside/middle gate allows a midfield run.
He drops back from metropolitan Open company and rises to 1500m, a trip his pedigree suggests he will handle. The low draw allows Declan Bates to position midfield, exactly where today's strong tempo should benefit.
The Moody/Katherine Coleman stable is patient with her and the step from 1400m to 1500m suits her So You Think pedigree.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Lancetta | 12 | John Allen | C Maher | 57.5kg | $3.30 |
| 2nd | 2 | Bradford | 8 | Zac Spain | Shane Nichols & Hayden Black | 59.5kg | $7.50 |
| 3rd | 6 | Cosmic Command | 11 | Jye McNeil | Chris Calthorpe | 57.5kg | $18.00 |
| 4th | 11 | Corretto | 3 | Declan Bates | Matthew Cumani | 57kg | $6.00 |
| 5th | 12 | Collectionneur | 7 | Harry Coffey | T & C McEvoy | 55kg | $4.60 |
| 6th | 10 | Pride Of Mandy | 4 | Neil Farley | C I Brown | 57.5kg | $21.00 |
| 7th | 13 | Embodiment | 14 | Teodore Nugent | Nelson Smyth | 57.5kg | $81.00 |
| 8th | 3 | Don't Say No Mikki | 5 | Brad Rawiller | V L Malady | 59.5kg | $4.00 |
| 9th | 1 | Alabamadon | 16 | Ryan Hurdle | Ms A Macpherson | 59.5kg | $151.00 |
| 10th | 4 | Last Summer | 10 | Valentin Le Boeuf | Anthony Cosgriff | 59.5kg | $101.00 |
| 11th | 7 | Empress Of China | 13 | Sarah Field | Dan O'Sullivan | 56kg | $61.00 |
| 12th | 9 | Marley Namoi | 1 | Olivia East | Ms A Macpherson | 55.5kg | $151.00 |
| Scr | 5 | Neville Bartos | 15 | Ben Allen | Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | 59.5kg | |
| Scr | 14 | Grandstraz | 6 | Sarah Robbins | Rodney Foster | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 15 | Shaykhlislamova | 17 | Sarah Field | Stephen Field | 56kg | |
| Scr | 16 | Tiger Fox | 2 | Shane Nichols & Hayden Black | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | Aurora's Belt | 9 | P G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 57.5kg |
Surreal I Am is the clear form anchor. He won here over 1500m in BM70 company at his latest start, has the best synthetic profile in the field, and maps perfectly from the inside gate. The class rise is a query, but the drop in weight and exactly matching course/distance form outweigh that.
Spirited Defence is a Ballarat Synthetic specialist with four wins and two placings from seven starts at the venue. He has been racing consistently at BM70 level and should have no issues with the extra ground given his 1400m placing earlier in his career.
Le Ferrari is entitled to improve sharply off a poor first-up run over an unsuitable 1200m.
She is a genuine synthetic performer with a 1600m win and several competitive runs around this level. Her recent sixth in a BM74 at Caulfield Heath was not far away and she now drops to 52kg.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Spirited Defence | 6 | John Allen | Andrew Noblet | 57kg | $4.80 |
| 2nd | 3 | Surreal I Am | 1 | Jamie Mott | John McArdle | 58kg | $3.60 |
| 3rd | 1 | Reset The Jazz | 10 | Jackson Radley | Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | 60kg | $10.00 |
| 4th | 8 | Double Pi | 2 | Carleen Hefel | P G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 54kg | $12.00 |
| 5th | 7 | Bronte Beach | 8 | Olivia East | M Price & M Kent Jnr | 52kg | $7.50 |
| 6th | 5 | Kengero | 5 | Teodore Nugent | Charlotte Littlefield | 57kg | $11.00 |
| 7th | 2 | Angry Skies | 9 | Will Gordon | Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | 59kg | $16.00 |
| 8th | 9 | Banknote Hustler | 4 | Jye McNeil | M Price & M Kent Jnr | 54kg | $6.00 |
| 9th | 4 | Le Ferrari | 3 | Harry Coffey | Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | 57.5kg | $14.00 |
| Scr | 10 | Prince Of Brooky | 7 | Ms N Burke | 54kg |
Noble Style is the clear synthetic form horse, with 15 starts on the surface producing 3 wins and 8 placings. She maps perfectly from barrier 1 in a moderate tempo and her recent Pakenham Synthetic 1200m runs were close despite awkward trips. The Murtoa soft-track failure can be excused.
Hidden Witness returns from a spell with a genuine first-up profile and has shown she can handle the Ballarat Synthetic surface. She was racing consistently through March with minor placings, and the stable has engaged Neil Farley. The wide gate is a concern, but she has enough tactical speed to slot in and be in the finish. She represents solid place value behind the top pick.
She is yet to place in three runs at 1200m and has no synthetic exposure.
From barrier 2 she should get every chance to control the race or sit on the speed, and her only career win came at this track.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Antalian | 7 | John Allen | N A Blackiston | 63kg | $3.30 |
| 2nd | 6 | Hidden Witness | 9 | Neil Farley | Brittany Raymond | 58kg | $2.80 |
| 3rd | 2 | Chillcuz | 6 | Nadia Daniels | Justin Pickering | 59kg | $5.00 |
| 4th | 4 | Noble Style | 1 | Liana Wood | Smiley Chan | 58kg | $5.00 |
| 5th | 10 | Stellar Madame | 3 | Chelsea Thompson | Chris Calthorpe | 51kg | $21.00 |
| 6th | 7 | Kulina | 10 | Ryan Hurdle | D P Dwyer | 57kg | $41.00 |
| 7th | 5 | Knock Of Beers | 5 | Craig Atkinson | Brittany Raymond | 59.5kg | $19.00 |
| 8th | 11 | Banjette | 4 | Melissa Julius | Dennis Julius | 54kg | $71.00 |
| 9th | 8 | Alesha Lily | 8 | Zoe Waller | Timothy McGuigan | 53.5kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Exalted Kate | 8 | Cian Macredmond | Jyi Lukey | 61kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Bubbles Time | 2 | Alana Kelly | Shay Keating | 55kg |
The query is 1200m, where he has never won in 12 attempts, and he is yet to race at Ballarat Synthetic.
Shooter McGavin is hard to trust to win, but his place record at Ballarat Synthetic is outstanding: four seconds from five starts. The big negatives are the 63.5kg top weight and a winless record at 1200m. He maps okay from barrier 7 and can run a place.
Flying Mean is the most reliable winning chance in an open BM56. He drops out of BM62 grade, has genuine 1200m form with a string of placings, and a second placing over the Pakenham Synthetic trip two starts back suggests this surface suits. Barrier 3 gives John Allen the chance to camp handy and be close enough at the 400m, which is the key at Ballarat Synthetic.
He has won twice at 1200m, and removing the lugging bit is a positive gear change. However, his overall record is modest and he failed on his only previous Ballarat Synthetic visit.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Shooter Mcgavin | 7 | Tom Madden | Shane Jackson | 63.5kg | $4.40 |
| 2nd | 4 | Sonic Surge | 10 | Harry Coffey | Lloyd Kennewell | 62kg | $6.50 |
| 3rd | 9 | Manchego | 1 | Jye McNeil | T & C McEvoy | 59kg | $2.60 |
| 4th | 7 | Blacklip | 2 | Declan Bates | Nick Ryan | 60.5kg | $8.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Stormbourg | 6 | Nadia Daniels | J F Moloney | 60kg | $5.00 |
| 6th | 10 | Ponte Arcobaleno | 9 | Ben Brisbourne | 58.5kg | $21.00 | |
| 7th | 11 | Fugacity | 8 | Valentin Le Boeuf | Rodney Foster | 54kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 12 | Wild Vitality | 4 | Sarah Robbins | Rodney Foster | 54kg | $101.00 |
| 9th | 8 | Faceoff | 5 | Ryan Hurdle | D P Dwyer | 59kg | $21.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Sacred Fort | 11 | Taige Weir | 64kg | ||
| Scr | 2 | Kagemusha | 2 | Taige Weir | 63.5kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Flying Mean | 3 | John Allen | David & Coral Feek | 61kg |
Margin Call is the most reliable winning chance, with consistent BM62 form and the ideal draw. He has placed in both starts at this track and maps to hold a forward spot despite the frantic tempo. The main knock is no synthetic win yet, but his class, fitness and consistency outweigh that concern.
Starburst is the clear next best, coming off a solid synthetic win and a close second over this track and trip. The class rise is the main query, but she drops weight and has the tactical speed to hold a prominent position. If the leaders collapse under the very fast tempo, she is the one most likely to capitalise.
Yolo is a genuine first-up threat for a powerful stable. The queries are synthetic inexperience and a long layoff, but his two wins from three first-up attempts and strong freshness profile give him a clear place and win chance.
Whitson is the value runner with the best track/distance profile in the race. He beat Margin Call in this exact BM62 course and distance in July and is well suited by the predicted frantic tempo.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Starburst | 6 | Olivia East | T & C McEvoy | 57.5kg | $3.10 |
| 2nd | 1 | Margin Call | 1 | John Allen | C Maher | 61.5kg | $2.25 |
| 3rd | 2 | Toronado Boom | 7 | Damian Lane | Scott Cameron | 61kg | $4.40 |
| 4th | 10 | Whitson | 11 | Teodore Nugent | Ann-Jeanette Tindale | 57kg | $12.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Sistine Tunnel | 3 | Harry Coffey | Andrew Noblet | 57.5kg | $18.00 |
| 6th | 11 | El Salto | 10 | Sam Kennedy | L E Robertson | 54.5kg | $20.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Strike Gold | 2 | Chelsea Jokic | T Fitzsimmons | 60kg | $41.00 |
| 8th | 7 | Frose | 5 | Zoe Waller | Jamie Barry | 56kg | $151.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Yolo | 9 | Jabez Johnstone | C Maher | 60.5kg | |
| Scr | 6 | Bonfire Jimmy | 12 | Jack Hill | Shane Jackson | 58.5kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Tennessee Spirit | 8 | Zac Moore | Toby Lake | 54kg | |
| Scr | 12 | Eternal Joy | 4 | Jackson Radley | Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | 55.5kg |
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