Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New South Wales · Sunday 4 October 2026
Our top pick won 1 of 7 races at Ballina. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Improving three-year-old who has hit the line well in each of his three runs, most recently a close third at Lismore over further. Drawn to settle handy from barrier two, which suits a Ballina track that clearly favours horses up on the pace in a slowly-run race. He shapes as the one to beat.
The concern is style and draw: she settles near the tail, and Ballina has been a graveyard for backmarkers, especially in early races.
The likely pacesetter and the map is in his favour, with only one genuine leader in a race expected to be run at a slow tempo, which historically favours on-pace runners at Ballina. His form is thin, though, with a single placing from ten and a plain last couple of runs.
The value runner in the race. The stable-jockey combination is one of the strongest engaged here and both have excellent records at Ballina. She has shown she can close strongly on soft ground and mixes in stronger maidens, but she settles back and needs the race to unfold her way.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | Subsiding | 8 | Jett Newman | Matthew Dunn | 55kg | $1.50 |
| 2nd | 2 | Checks'n'balances | 6 | Karl Zechner | Fleur Henley | 59kg | $18.00 |
| 3rd | 3 | Hey Kalumba | 1 | Zac Wadick | David Campbell | 59kg | $9.50 |
| 4th | 8 | Prestige Exotic | 2 | Dylan Turner | Stephen and Jordan Lee | 56.5kg | $3.50 |
| 5th | 4 | Sorted | 4 | Kacie Adams | Darren Treacy | 59kg | $71.00 |
| 6th | 7 | Sweet September | 7 | Andrew Mallyon | Matthew Dunn | 57kg | $16.00 |
| 7th | 5 | Final Pretence | 3 | Raymond Spokes | Shannon Manwarring | 57kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 1 | Arabian Legacy | 5 | Danny Peisley | Stephen Bennett | 59kg | $91.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Jennibelle | 9 | John Shelton | 57kg |
The most in-form runner in the field, placed second at her last two starts, both times racing on the speed, and she has a placing here. She maps to sit just off the lone leader in a slowly-run race, an ideal position at Ballina where front-runners and on-pacers dominate.
Likely to get an untroubled lead in a race with only one genuine front-runner, and a slow tempo on a leader-friendly Ballina mile plays right into her hands. She stays the trip, having placed at 1550m and 1700m, and her close second at Grafton two starts back was the best run in this field. The knock is that she led and weakened last start and remains a maiden after 18 tries.
An improving three-year-old who took a clear step forward last start when fitted with blinkers. He maps to race handily, which is a real plus at Ballina, and the Dunn stable and his rider both have strong records at this track. The jump to 1590m from a short-course run is the obvious query, but his second-up effort showed enough to give him a place chance.
Produced the strongest last-start run in the race when a closing third over 1700m at the Gold Coast, suggesting the longer trip here is ideal. He is a proven stayer and the first-time visors could sharpen him.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | So Sain | 6 | Violet Soulsby | Ethan Ensby | 54kg | $4.40 |
| 2nd | 8 | Queen Of Thinking | 7 | Benjamin Osmond | Kris Lees | 56kg | $2.40 |
| 3rd | 2 | Mission Wise | 5 | Jasper Franklin | Peter Robl | 57.5kg | $4.80 |
| 4th | 3 | Cool Thoughts | 4 | Nozi Tomizawa | Sonya Dixon | 56kg | $51.00 |
| 5th | 7 | Oakfield Galaxy | 2 | Colleen Krahnen | Brian Gentle | 54.5kg | $10.00 |
| 6th | 4 | King Conquer | 8 | Dylan Turner | Matthew Dunn | 56kg | $12.00 |
| 7th | 6 | Money On My Mind | 9 | Brandon Lerena | Beau Gorman | 56kg | $6.50 |
| Scr | 1 | Swift Sovereign | 3 | Christos Zintilis | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Lake Of Fire | 1 | Wayne O'Connell | 56kg |
The class runner of the field and the one to beat. She drops back from stronger races after a solid placing, is a genuine on-pace mare who wins her share, and her soft-track record is the best in the race. Drawn ideally in five with early speed, she should control the sprint from the front. Top weight and a quick tempo are the queries, but she has more going for her than any rival.
The concern is the map, as he gets well back in his races and Ballina's tight 1000m is unforgiving for backmarkers.
Produced the best run of her career last start when she led and was only overhauled late in a strong race. She handles soft ground, has drawn nicely in two, and can race handier than her profile suggests.
Roughie with the right profile for the track. He has won on soft ground and has been consistent enough for a stable that knows him.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Diamantina Rose | 5 | Jess Emmerson | Cameron Richardson | 61kg | $4.40 |
| 2nd | 3 | Discreet Point | 6 | Andrew Mallyon | Matthew Dunn | 59.5kg | $2.60 |
| 3rd | 7 | Kirra's Sister | 2 | Dylan Turner | Stephen and Jordan Lee | 55.5kg | $4.60 |
| 4th | 8 | Supersonic Man | 1 | Chelsea Baker | Adam Campton | 55.5kg | $8.50 |
| 5th | 9 | Shame On Sue | 4 | Karl Zechner | Adam Campton | 55kg | $6.50 |
| 6th | 10 | Tryanza | 8 | Zac Wadick | David Campbell | 55kg | $21.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Starry Jack | 9 | Paige Fergusson-Smith | Darren L Bell | 56kg | $71.00 |
| 8th | 2 | Cool Fizz | 11 | William Galloway | Brett Dodson | 56.5kg | $31.00 |
| 9th | 11 | Top Bird | 3 | Nozi Tomizawa | Shirley Batten | 55kg | $51.00 |
| 10th | 6 | The Rookie | 7 | Yvette Lewis | Gary Nielsen | 56kg | $26.00 |
| Scr | 5 | Miss Mclaren | 10 | Adam Campton | 56.5kg |
Drops sharply out of a Class 3 and brings the strongest recent run in the field, a hard-fought fourth at Lismore after racing three-wide without cover and beaten under two lengths. A genuine 1590m horse with two wins and two seconds from six at the trip, and he maps to settle handy from gate three, exactly where Ballina winners come from. Top weight is the query and he has never won on a soft track, but the class and the map make him the one to beat.
She has placed in almost half her starts and was beaten a whisker on her only soft-track run. The Dunn/Mallyon combination is one of the strongest at Ballina.
He races on the speed, which suits Ballina, and he has won twice on soft ground. The concern is a wide gate, which will make it difficult to find a handy position over 1590m, and he is yet to place in two attempts at the trip. Still, winning form at this level counts for plenty in a race of this quality.
Still improving at four, he handles wet going and gets the trip.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Cosmic Coco | 9 | Dylan Turner | Samantha McGuren | 56.5kg | $17.00 |
| 2nd | 10 | Turn Left | 8 | Violet Soulsby | Shannon Manwarring | 53kg | $9.50 |
| 3rd | 2 | Gaming | 12 | Danny Peisley | Stephen Bennett | 58.5kg | $12.00 |
| 4th | 4 | Latin Lights | 4 | Andrew Mallyon | Matthew Dunn | 58kg | $2.70 |
| 5th | 7 | Icewater | 13 | Wayne Wheatley | Daniel Bowen | 57.5kg | $13.00 |
| 6th | 9 | Artie Lady | 2 | Jett Newman | Matthew Dunn | 55kg | $7.00 |
| 7th | 1 | Dark Chill | 3 | Jasper Franklin | Ethan Ensby | 62kg | $4.20 |
| 8th | 3 | Narukami | 5 | William Galloway | Sally Taylor | 55.5kg | $20.00 |
| 9th | 8 | Piplup | 11 | Yvette Lewis | Gary Nielsen | 56kg | $101.00 |
| 10th | 13 | Cowgirl Lilly | 1 | Raymond Spokes | Samantha McGuren | 56kg | $71.00 |
| 11th | 11 | Dupont | 6 | Grace Palmer | Dennis Dwane | 52kg | $15.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Ghayoor | 7 | Kacie Adams | Darren Treacy | 56.5kg | |
| Scr | 12 | Barron | 10 | Sharon Pepper | 55kg |
Ran the best race of anything entered here last start, closing hard for second in a Super Maiden at Coffs Harbour. Barrier three gives him cover and a fast tempo up front plays to his strength. Top weight is the query, but his class and form should carry him.
Maps perfectly from the inside gate and settles in the leading pair, exactly what this tight Ballina track rewards. She posted a solid close-up fourth in the same Super Maiden the top pick contested. The trainer/jockey pairing strikes at 22% together. Still a maiden and the rider is yet to win here, but the draw and racing style give her a genuine tactical edge over most rivals.
He is speed-bred and the yard's only runner at the meeting, which hints at intent. Yet he is completely unraced, drawn a middle gate, and has a rider going through a quiet patch.
Barrier seven is workable and she handles soft going. Genuine each-way value if she reproduces that last run.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Royal Eyre | 4 | Zac Wadick | Darren L Bell | 58.5kg | $7.00 |
| 2nd | 13 | Moonlit Aura | 5 | Karl Zechner | Adam Campton | 55kg | $15.00 |
| 3rd | 2 | Encontre | 2 | Dylan Turner | Stephen and Jordan Lee | 59kg | $61.00 |
| 4th | 11 | Dellucy | 13 | Yvette Lewis | Gary Nielsen | 56kg | $81.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Sha From The Jar | 3 | Andrew Mallyon | Warwick Harper | 60kg | $3.10 |
| 6th | 9 | Naystar | 6 | Jett Newman | Matthew Dunn | 56kg | $21.00 |
| 7th | 8 | Magic Snitzel | 1 | Adin Thompson | Maryann Brosnan | 56.5kg | $3.00 |
| 8th | 3 | Ostmen | 8 | Danny Peisley | Paul L Shailer | 59kg | $3.80 |
| 9th | 5 | Hear The Wolf Cry | 12 | Raymond Spokes | David Matts | 57.5kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Tszinsi | 7 | James Healy | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Bodmin Moor | 10 | Chris and Corey Munce | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Cassini | 14 | Lisa Sheppard | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Galaxy Bound | 11 | Adam Campton | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Zoureka | 9 | Chris and Corey Munce | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 15 | Krasaki | 15 | Brian Gentle | 55kg |
The rails draw is a big plus on Ballina's tight turning circuit and Barello maps to sit right on the speed. He won at this trip two runs back with a strong performance, showing he handles a tougher test, and the ground will suit. The knock is a sharp class rise and a plain last start, but from gate one he gets every chance to dictate and is the one to beat.
He has already won here over this trip and the stable and jockey know the track well. However, the wide gate is a real negative and the jump in class plus the second-up query leave him vulnerable if pressured.
A course winner who is at home in the wet, having won twice from six on soft ground, and he maps to settle just off the leaders with a rider who knows him well. He is consistent but comes with queries: a wide draw, a poor last start after racing handy, and a rise in class that asks more.
She is a proven wet-tracker with two wins and two placings from five soft starts, and she maps to be right up on the speed from an ideal draw on a track that rewards forward runners. Matthew Dunn's stable is going well and Andrew Mallyon knows this circuit. She rises in grade and carries more weight, but the setup is right and she is the safest winning hope.
The class runner of the field, dropping out of open company into this grade, and he has a strong record at this track and trip. He likes to race handy and the soft ground holds no fears.
The value play.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Shredded | 10 | Dylan Turner | Matthew Dunn | 56kg | $2.40 |
| 2nd | 5 | Barello | 1 | Brandon Lerena | Stephen and Jordan Lee | 56kg | $4.20 |
| 3rd | 7 | The Torque Xpress | 9 | Jett Newman | Matthew Dunn | 55.5kg | $3.80 |
| 4th | 9 | Venom Wolf | 8 | Raymond Spokes | David Matts | 56kg | $17.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Wanjina Rose | 2 | Zac Wadick | Aiden St Vincent | 55kg | $17.00 |
| 6th | 4 | Ballinderry Sal | 7 | Yvette Lewis | Gary Nielsen | 56kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 10 | He's Godspeed | 5 | Kacie Adams | Brett Lazzarini | 55kg | $7.50 |
| Scr | 1 | Nails And Pride | 11 | Marcus Wilson | 60.5kg | ||
| Scr | 2 | Moscow Circus | 3 | Matthew Dunn | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 3 | Talana | 6 | Sally Taylor | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 11 | Sukhbir | 4 | Maryann Brosnan | 55kg |
Predict The Future is the likely leader from a handy gate, the profile that wins around tight-turning Ballina. His best recent effort was a fighting second over further on soft ground, and the drop back to 1250m should help him hold on. The stable is going through a lean patch and he faded after leading at his last two, so he's a placing hope rather than a certainty.
Mini Angel is a genuine 1250m specialist, placing in five of eight at the trip, and she handles soft ground. She maps to settle just off the speed, an ideal spot here, and carries a light weight.
Maurraqa was sharp enough to win a Ballina maiden on soft ground and has since been thrown into much stronger company, running respectably without threatening. Back to a Class 1 today with blinkers added and Mallyon, unbeaten on her, in the saddle from a good draw. She may spot the leaders a start on a track that suits on-pacers, but the class edge should prove decisive.
French Melody is the most dependable runner in this field. She won her maiden over 1200m on soft going, then was beaten barely a length in similar company at Grafton. She settles handy, and Ballina's tight, cambered track strongly rewards horses in the first few. Barrier 6 keeps her out of trouble. Though she steps up slightly in grade, her form reads better than most here and she looks the one to beat.
Torque So Hot's maiden win at Grafton was the strongest run produced by anything in this field, and he followed it with a close third in a similar race on soft ground. He has the early speed to be handily placed, which suits this circuit.
Graceful Warrior drops out of tougher company and lands the gun draw on the rail, where inside gates are a clear edge at Ballina. Second-up with improvement to come, and placed at both her soft-track runs, she shapes as a better chance than her recent numbers imply. The knock is that she is yet to win past 1000m and her stable has never won at this track.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11 | Graceful Warrior | 1 | Jett Newman | Andrew Parramore | 55kg | $2.25 |
| 2nd | 7 | Predict The Future | 4 | Grace Palmer | Samantha McGuren | 53kg | $4.80 |
| 3rd | 13 | Rephrase | 5 | Siabh Rigley | Jennifer Smith | 51kg | $41.00 |
| 4th | 10 | Mini Angel | 10 | Nozi Tomizawa | Samantha McGuren | 55kg | $10.00 |
| 5th | 9 | Highwire Girl | 13 | Zac Wadick | John Shelton | 55kg | $6.50 |
| 6th | 5 | Don't Tellyafather | 9 | Brandon Lerena | Matthew Dunn | 56.5kg | $6.50 |
| Scr | 1 | Maurraqa | 3 | Andrew Mallyon | Matthew Dunn | 59.5kg | |
| Scr | 2 | Super Luck Dragon | 2 | Allan Chau | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 3 | Torque So Hot | 8 | Matthew Dunn | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Sum Invictus | 14 | Kurt Goldman | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | French Melody | 6 | Matthew Dunn | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Ghayoor | 7 | Darren Treacy | 55kg | ||
| 12 | Perfect Beth | 11 | Scott Sheargold | Leanne McCormick | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Millennium Prayer | 12 | Greg Howells | 55kg |
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