Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Victoria · Monday 2 November 2026
Our top pick won 1 of 8 races at Ballarat. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Consistent filly who ran on well at Ballarat last start despite a slow start and was strong at the finish on soft earlier. The step up to 1600m suits her, and a slowly run race should help her get into the contest from a midfield position. Barrier 1 and her habit of missing the start are the concerns, but she looks the best of the rest.
A debutant who won a soft-track jump-out and was second in another, with a Frankel pedigree to relish the mile. Luke Currie rides and the stable has fitted several new pieces of gear, which indicates intent. He is the third pick.
Her close third on soft last start was the best form in the field, and she backs that up with Lane in the saddle. A slowly run 1600m should let her sit handy from barrier 9.
A drop in form last start at Ballarat does not tell the whole story, and the slowly run race with few leaders should put him in the first four from barrier 3.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Franked Up | 7 | Luke Currie | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | 58kg | $1.75 |
| 2nd | 3 | Trigger Warning | 4 | Zac Moore | Ann-Jeanette Tindale | 55kg | $14.00 |
| 3rd | 5 | Bella Athena | 5 | Michael Dee | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 56kg | $4.40 |
| 4th | 8 | Noble Fox | 8 | Neil Farley | Henry Dwyer | 56kg | $21.00 |
| 5th | 4 | Whitebait | 3 | Beau Mertens | Chris Waller | 58kg | $11.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Shape The World | 6 | Jason Maskiell | Mark Ashby | 58kg | $151.00 |
| 7th | 7 | Miss Capri | 1 | Declan Bates | John Moloney | 56kg | $5.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Chilly Sav | 2 | Valentin Le Boeuf | Rodney Foster | 56kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Star Je Taime | 9 | Danny O'Brien | 56kg |
He debuted at Cranbourne with a slashing second, settling well back after being wide before surging through the line over the last 400m. Patrick Payne and Billy Egan both strike at good rates here, he is drawn to sit closer this time and Ballarat's long straight gives him his chance.
The pick of the first-starters. She won her latest 1000m jump-out at Flemington in the manner of a filly who knows her job, has had time since, and lands the best draw with Luke Currie, who rides this track particularly well. She should be able to hold a handy position in a race without a proven leader.
An unraced gelding from a smaller stable who has done everything asked at the trials: he won a Mornington jump-out on soft ground and then ran third in another. He is drawn to get a soft run behind the speed and is the stable's only runner at the meeting, which usually signals intent. But Newitt's Ballarat record is a genuine worry and debutantes on wet ground are hard to trust with confidence.
Second-up she should strip fitter, Carleen Hefel rides this track superbly and she maps to be on the pace in a race without a leader.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Chandler | 4 | Billy Egan | Patrick Payne | 59.5kg | $1.30 |
| 2nd | 9 | Swiss Impact | 3 | Luke Currie | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | 56kg | $5.00 |
| 3rd | 4 | Weeping Wonder | 2 | Craig Newitt | Jerome Hunter | 58kg | $9.00 |
| 4th | 6 | Locard | 7 | Carleen Hefel | Ciaron Maher | 56kg | $19.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Smik Nicci | 1 | Nadia Daniels | John Moloney | 54kg | $61.00 |
| 6th | 2 | He's A Dandy | 5 | Michael Dee | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 59.5kg | $26.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Capital Storm | 9 | Phillip and Tommy Stokes | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | My Infinity | 8 | Melody Cunningham | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | She Got Me Again | 6 | Leon, Troy Corstens and Will Larkin | 56kg |
Led last start on Soft 6 at Geelong and was grabbed on the line, a run well above this maiden standard. He is an on-pace type with the blinkers working, and the moderate tempo with only one other clear leader should let him settle just behind or share the lead. Fit off 26 days and from a strong stable at this track.
The most consistent filly in the race, with a second at Bendigo last start and a third over this track and trip on debut. She is second up and should be fitter, but she settles midfield or further back and the moderate tempo does not help closers. Soft ground is an unknown.
A solid debut third at Ballarat, where he was held up for room, makes him a good chance to improve fresh off a short break. The run sat well above the winning standard for this maiden class, and he settles mid-field, which is workable in a moderate tempo.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Overcast | 4 | Brad Rawiller | Emma-Lee and David Browne | 59.5kg | $7.00 |
| 2nd | 12 | Bella Blaze | 7 | Neil Farley | Michelle Payne | 56kg | $6.00 |
| 3rd | 9 | Vellure | 8 | Damian Lane | Lloyd Kennewell | 58kg | $8.50 |
| 4th | 5 | Hells Gates | 3 | John Allen | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | 58kg | $2.90 |
| 5th | 1 | Diamond Virtue | 5 | Luke Currie | Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes | 59.5kg | $21.00 |
| 6th | 10 | Charming Chords | 2 | Cian Macredmond | Melody Cunningham | 57.5kg | $101.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Eleven Aye | 13 | Lachlan Neindorf | Phillip and Tommy Stokes | 58kg | $4.40 |
| 8th | 7 | Perfect Dismount | 1 | Declan Bates | Ciaron Maher | 58kg | $12.00 |
| 9th | 6 | Meritorious | 12 | Luke Cartwright | Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman | 58kg | $18.00 |
| 10th | 8 | Prestige Valour | 9 | Jake Noonan | Julius Sandhu | 58kg | $41.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Fire Type | 6 | Symon Wilde | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 11 | Gypsy Storm | 14 | Shannon Roughan | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Front Page Edition | 11 | Ciaron Maher | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Sabrina | 10 | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | 56kg |
The only real front-runner in a race likely to be run slowly, and the horse that has been closest to winning at this level. Seven starts for no win is a worry, but it has placed every time, including on soft ground and at this track. Winkers came off last start and the run was flat, so a bounce-back with a soft lead looks the best path.
Should be handy in a slowly-run race on a track that suits.
A consistent type with several finishing runs, and the quickest time over the trip in the field. The slow tempo and her habit of settling well back make it hard to win, but a light weight and blinkers give her a chance of running into a place. Not a confident winning option.
Has finished third in all three race starts, mostly in heavy ground, so the wet is no concern. Two recent jump-outs suggest he is fit, and the midfield position suits.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Marco Polo | 3 | Damian Lane | Chris Waller | 59.5kg | $5.50 |
| 2nd | 5 | Tempered Edge | 7 | Fred W Kersley | Rob Blacker | 59.5kg | $20.00 |
| 3rd | 6 | Urban Creed | 6 | Jake Noonan | Julius Sandhu | 59.5kg | $15.00 |
| 4th | 8 | Belle Flamme | 1 | Damien Thornton | Henry Dwyer | 57.5kg | $12.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Best Terms | 5 | Linda Meech | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | 59.5kg | $2.80 |
| 6th | 4 | Pneuma | 4 | Dylan Dunn | Peter Jaques | 59.5kg | $18.00 |
| 7th | 9 | Katiya | 10 | Cian Macredmond | Brent Stanley | 57.5kg | $151.00 |
| 8th | 11 | Roll With It | 11 | Amy Herrmann | Barry Crofts | 57.5kg | $101.00 |
| 9th | 10 | Mark's Magus | 9 | Dean Yendall | Brian and Ashley McKnight | 57.5kg | $91.00 |
| 10th | 7 | Whiskey And War | 2 | John Allen | Patrick Kearney | 58kg | $2.60 |
| Scr | 2 | Jack Will | 8 | Daniel Bowman | 59.5kg |
Top pick on form. She has won her past two, both at the mile, and her earlier second on a heavy track confirms she handles give. From gate two she should settle handy in a race without a strong leader, and her record at this distance is the best in the field. The top weight is offset by a 2kg claim.
Strong wet-track mare with two heavy-track wins and a soft-track placing. She was not knocked about at Sale last start after a wide trip, and her Seymour win before that was the performance of a horse on the rise. The question is the 1600m, as this is her first start at the trip, and she will need luck from back in the field.
She is improving and drops in class from stronger mares' races. The query is the soft track, as she has not raced on it, and she will get back in a moderate-tempo race.
Value play. He is a genuine miler with 18 starts at the trip and won well last start at Bairnsdale on a soft track. He will get back from a wide gate, so the moderate tempo is a risk, but his last-start win and strong distance record make him the best value in the race.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Torn | 10 | Patrick Moloney | Ben Brisbourne | 59kg | $7.50 |
| 2nd | 5 | Diamond Eye | 5 | Jake Noonan | Reece Goodwin | 59.5kg | $3.90 |
| 3rd | 2 | Royal Emblem | 3 | Zac Moore | Ciaron Maher | 59kg | $6.50 |
| 4th | 12 | Cliste | 4 | Sarah Field | Andrew Bobbin | 54.5kg | $14.00 |
| 5th | 9 | Lady Thinkabell | 8 | Dylan Dunn | John Symons and Sheila Laxon | 58.5kg | $6.00 |
| 6th | 1 | Savannah Chill | 2 | Nadia Daniels | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 60.5kg | $4.20 |
| 7th | 8 | Into You | 9 | Neil Farley | Shay Keating | 58.5kg | $9.00 |
| 8th | 6 | Iron Legacy | 1 | Billy Egan | Patrick Kearney | 59.5kg | $15.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Tempt The Gods | 11 | Melody Cunningham | 61kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Our Smokeshow | 12 | Melody Cunningham | 60.5kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Mr Margolin | 7 | Greg Eurell | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 11 | Celestial Splendor | 6 | Dean Yendall | Matthew Williams | 58kg |
The strongest wet-track credentials in the field. He lumped 61.5kg to a tough win over this trip on heavy ground two runs back and went down by a whisker at Seymour on soft going over 1000m. He resumes with two nice trials, draws to settle just off what should be a genuine tempo and has won fresh before. Top weight is the obvious leveller, but he has already carried it to victory.
But she has never won in five soft-track attempts, she leads and has been stopping late in her recent races, and Ballarat's recent pattern has been unkind to on-pace runners. Her stable has had a lean run.
She led throughout to win over this trip at Ballarat last start and, on soft ground here earlier, she came from the tail and did her best work late, so she is not one-dimensional. Billy Egan rides this track well. The jump from maidens into a BM62 is the query, but her upside is clear.
A late-closing mare who has run to a good standard at 1000m, including a fast-finishing placing at Sandown where she came from last against a hot tempo. She is a soft-track winner, is well suited by the genuine speed these sprinters should set, and her jockey rides this stable at a remarkable strike rate.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Wintery | 5 | Tom Madden | Aaron Purcell | 60.5kg | $1.95 |
| 2nd | 12 | El Salto | 9 | Nathan Punch | Leslie Robertson | 54kg | $21.00 |
| 3rd | 3 | Nordic Strike | 2 | Zac Moore | Ciaron Maher | 58.5kg | $5.00 |
| 4th | 2 | Gunz | 4 | Chelsea Jokic | Stefan Jokic | 61.5kg | $3.90 |
| 5th | 5 | Kooralbyn | 10 | Luke Cartwright | Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman | 60kg | $14.00 |
| 6th | 7 | Divine Vicky | 1 | Holly Durnan | Nelson Smyth | 56kg | $14.00 |
| 7th | 10 | Brummagen | 3 | Sam Kennedy | Leslie Robertson | 54.5kg | $31.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Mystic Reign | 8 | Dylan Dean | Charles Cassar | 59kg | |
| Scr | 6 | Daynes Dahwun | 6 | Timothy Fitzsimmons | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Elena Montero | 12 | Jody Thompson | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Skjaldmo | 7 | Billy Egan | Robbie Griffiths | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 11 | Wind Dreamer | 11 | John Keane | 54kg |
She won on Soft 5 over 1200m, won at this track and gets the claim. She has the speed to lead or sit handy from a good gate in a moderately run race. Her last start was slightly flat and the stable is quiet, but she is the most likely winner on form.
A genuine and consistent mare who is in form, handles soft ground and has the speed to lead from a handy gate. She has a good record at the distance and rarely runs a bad race. A solid place chance with a clear winning chance as well.
A willing mare who handles the wet and won here last month. She is a come-from-behind type, so she needs a genuine tempo to get into the race, and the moderate pace is a mild concern. She is proven in the placings and has a good stable and jockey combination. A sound place chance who gets into the finish if the pace lifts.
She may be forced to work hard early on soft ground.
At 21 he is overpriced for a horse who places so often. He has won at this grade and handles soft ground, and the winkers could help him settle. First-up and the awkward draw are real negatives, but if he is ridden for luck he has the ability to run into a place.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Sugar Schnapps | 4 | Nadia Daniels | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 57.5kg | $5.50 |
| 2nd | 9 | Dirty Diana | 6 | Jett Stanley | Charlotte Littlefield | 58.5kg | $3.60 |
| 3rd | 3 | Catwalk Icon | 2 | Olivia East | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | 57.5kg | $2.35 |
| 4th | 10 | Home Tomurra | 16 | Declan Bates | Henry Dwyer | 58.5kg | $4.40 |
| 5th | 18 | Le Notre | 9 | Billy Egan | Richard Laming | 57kg | $17.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Il Cielo | 1 | Zac Moore | Ciaron Maher | 60kg | |
| Scr | 2 | Thinking Sensation | 15 | Matt Cumani | 61.5kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Mykindakandy | 7 | Clifford Brown | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 5 | Onlooker | 17 | Melody Cunningham | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Outer Banks | 11 | Emma-Lee and David Browne | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Azzacool | 5 | John Allen | Ciaron Maher | 59kg | |
| Scr | 11 | Layla | 12 | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Bee Admired | 18 | Charlotte Littlefield | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Zane Zena | 3 | Leon, Troy Corstens and Will Larkin | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Sayalero | 13 | John McArdle | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 15 | Hola Amigos | 10 | Jason Maskiell | Wendy Kelly | 59.5kg | |
| Scr | 16 | Chapados | 8 | Billy Egan | Dominic Sutton | 55.5kg | |
| Scr | 17 | Blaze Away | 14 | Claire Patterson | 59kg |
She has been racing in better grade and has placed at her last two, including a close third at Sale on soft ground. From barrier one she can settle handy in a race that looks slowly run, and she drops to a winnable level. The lack of a soft-track win is a slight concern, but her placings show she handles it. She is the one to beat.
However, she resumes after a break and her recent runs over longer trips were only fair. Barrier 13 means she will need to work early to find a handy spot. She is a clear second pick.
Till Queen has class and upside, having won two races last preparation including one on soft ground. She is a mare with only 10 starts and could still be improving. But she resumes here without a first-up win or placing, and barrier 14 is awkward. She will need luck to get a handy position. She is a capable type but the fresh query and draw make her third pick.
She ran a solid third over this track and trip last start at the same grade and is a proven soft-track winner.
Lygon Street Luigi is a model of consistency but rarely wins. He has a strong soft-track record with a win and many placings, and his on-pace style should suit a slow tempo. From barrier 7 he can settle handy without too much effort.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 9 | Vim Vitae | 3 | Billy Egan | Liam Howley | 59kg | $5.50 |
| 2nd | 11 | M'lady Rose | 13 | Luke Currie | Tony and Calvin McEvoy | 58kg | $3.00 |
| 3rd | 7 | Lygon Street Luigi | 7 | Holly Durnan | Denis Pagan | 57.5kg | $7.50 |
| 4th | 10 | Belcony | 1 | Jake Noonan | Reece Goodwin | 58.5kg | $3.40 |
| 5th | 14 | Swycho | 11 | Chelsea Thompson | Nelson Smyth | 54kg | $41.00 |
| 6th | 6 | Black Aces | 8 | John Allen | Ciaron Maher | 59.5kg | $9.00 |
| 7th | 18 | Cool Savanna | 2 | Fred W Kersley | Peter Gelagotis | 58.5kg | $8.50 |
| Scr | 1 | Bit Of Shoosh | 4 | Brad Rawiller | Ben, Will and JD Hayes | 61kg | |
| Scr | 2 | Till Queen | 14 | Declan Bates | Archie Alexander | 61kg | |
| Scr | 3 | Harry Lime | 17 | Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | 60.5kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Antalian | 6 | Michael Dee | Nigel Blackiston | 60kg | |
| Scr | 5 | Discover Lupino | 9 | Clifford Brown | 60kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Russian Duchess | 10 | Ciaron Maher | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Jenni Poppins | 12 | Lloyd Kennewell | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Blue Valentine | 15 | Tyler Donaldson-Aitken | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 15 | Lika Wreckin' Ball | 5 | Jason Maskiell | Michael Sell | 59kg | |
| Scr | 16 | Farside | 18 | Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | Sabeeria | 16 | Clifford Brown | 56.5kg |
Before the races, not after
Our top three picks and a value pick for every race, with assessed prices, speed maps and the analysis behind them.