The Ballarat Cup has generally been kind to punters with only two horses in the past ten years saluting at double-figure odds whilst during the same period of time, four favourites have won. This year’s renewal sees punters pin their hopes on two horses, the rapidly improving Spinderbella ($5.00 and favourite) and Tuscan Fire ($6.50) who’ll have to carry the significant impost of 60kgs. The highest weight carried to victory in the last ten years has been 57kgs by Rubijon in 2006. Only to other horse are at single figure odds, the unreliable Vilanova ($6.00 out to $8.00) and Spinderbella’s stable-mate and winner of one of his sixteen races, At First Sight ($11.00 into $9.00).

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Ballarat Cup 2014 Field

1. FAT AL – C Williams (9) 60kgs

Found a nice spot, three back the running line, at his last start in the Listed James Boag’s Stakes (1800m) but only batted away in the straight to run eighth (4.3 lengths) behind Atacama. That was his third run in this campaign but neither has suggested he is going well enough to win this race however, when markets first opened, his initial quote of $51.00 was hammered into as shot as $16.00!

2. TUSCAN FIRE – K McEvoy (1) 60kgs

Drew wide, settled in the final quarter of the field and offered very little in the run home when first up in the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) before heading to Flemington on Cup day for the Listed James Boag’s Stakes (1800m). He settled midfield in the running line, peeled out rounding the turn and presented strongly at the top of the straight, hitting the front at the 300m. Fitness caught up with him in the dying stages of the race and he was collared inside the last fifty metres, finishing fourth (1 length) behind Atacama. Zabisco, winner of last week’s Eclipse Stakes, came out of that race (finished sixth) and Tuscan Fire will only be fitter now third up.

3. COUNT OF LIMONADE – D Yendall (6) 59kgs

Got conditions (wet track) to suit for the first time since arriving in Mick Price’s stables from Europe when successful in the Moe Cup (2050m) two starts back, before running a solid fifth (2.2 lengths) behind Bring Something and Massiyn in the Bendigo Cup (2400m). Scratched from last week’s Zipping Classic due to a firm track and the conditions of Saturday’s surface appear crucial to his chances. Any cut out of the track will give him an edge and see him right in the mix here.

4. TANBY – J Mott (8) 59kgs

Did well at his first run for twenty-five weeks and for new trainer Mick Cerchi, when sixth (2.9 lengths) of fifteen in the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) where he closed well from the second half of the field. He couldn’t back that up at his next and most recent start though, weakening badly from his midfield position as they turned to run last (16.7 lengths) in the Listed James Boag’s Stakes (1800m). Just over two years now since he last won a race and couldn’t have him off of last start’s effort.

5. HURDY GURDY MAN – J Allen (12) 58.5kgs

He was in very good form last campaign, running second in the Bagot Handicap and Werribee Cup, along with a third placing behind The Offer in this race last year. The 7yo has had a nine months spell and three starts since that campaign with his most recent effort resulting in an eighth (5.6 lengths) of ten in the Ararat Cup (2000m). Carried a big weight last start (61kgs) and after a long break would still be reaching peak fitness but would think he has to make too much improvement to be winning here.

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6. VILANOVA – J Winks (2) 58.5kgs

He closed well for third in the G3 Craven Plate (2000m) three starts back before heading to Melbourne for the G3 David Jones Cup (2000m). Ran a disappointing second last in the David Jones Cup and was only marginally better in the Listed James Boag’s Stakes (1800m) at his following start. Did run into a tight spot last start but if he was going to win, he would’ve been able to push through. A hard bloke to catch but a very capable galloper at his best.

7. AT FIRST SIGHT – B Rawiller (16) 57kgs

He ran his third second from nine Australian starts in last fortnight’s Ararat Cup (2000m), finishing 1.3 lengths behind Mujadale. That was his fourth start this prep and he had every chance in the run. Wouldn’t think that the Darren Weir trained galloper will not find this any easier – especially from a poor gate.

8. MOBACO – D Lane (15) 57kgs

Former UK galloper hasn’t offered much in three Australian runs, the most recent of which saw him finishing ninth of thirteen (10.3 lengths) in the Kyneton Cup (2000m) when not making an impression from second half of the field. Seems to be struggling to recapture the form that saw him claim the G2 Prix A Baboin (2000m) two years ago – his most recent win.

9. HVAASTAN – C Newitt (19) 56kgs

Ran well earlier this campaign to finish sixth (1.4 lengths) behind The Cleaner in the G3 JRA Cup (2040m) at his favourite track Moonee Valley, but his three subsequent runs need to be improved on to be winning here. He finished sixth (3 lengths) behind Pheidon, again over 2040m at Moonee Valley before a dropping in grade, to a RST 90 (2000m) and finishing steadily under 60kgs from back in the field to run fourth (5.1 lengths) behind Held Hostage. The weight relief he’ll get here is wiped away by a shocking draw.

10. THE INVENTOR – D Gauci (11) 56kgs

Punched through from an inside gate to set the pace in last week’s Eclipse Stakes (1800m) but was soon struggling as they turned for home and eventually ran ninth (4.5 lengths) behind Zabisco. Steps up to a distance that saw her win the G3 Tatt’s Cup last prep but she did so as a 40/1 chance and this race is harder than that event.

11. ELECTRIC FUSION – D Dunn (17) 55kgs

The Robert Smerdon trained gelding has been struggling for form this time in, having missed a place in each of his six starts – all of which have been in races of lesser quality than this event. He was only fairly home last start, the Listed James Boag’s Stakes (1800m), finishing tenth (5.4 lengths) and needed to see a much stronger performance there before considering him a chance here.

12. MUJADALE – K Forrester (5) 55kgs

It was almost a year to the day since his last win when he took at the Ararat Cup (2000m) a fortnight ago. He was put into the box seat by Forrester last start and fought on well late to defy the late challenge of At First Sight by 1.3 lengths. Drawn to get a similar run here but this is a race of far greater depth and will need to have taken further improvement.

13. MOTIVADO – C Symons (14) 54kgs

Ran as well as connection could’ve hoped for when first up off a seven month spell the 7yo gelding finished seventh (3.1 lengths) in the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m). He then had a winning barrier trial before lining up at Flemington on Stakes Day as a rough chance (11/1) in a RST 90 but was eased up in the straight, finished last and over thirty-three lengths form the winner Held Hostage. Been a long time now since he’s figured in the judge’s results and after last start, would rather see how he bounces back.

14. SPINDERBELLA – C Schofield (3) 54kgs

An improving mare from the Darren Weir yard who posted the fifth win of her short racing career with an impressive victory at Moonee Valley in an Open fillies and mares race over 2040m. She settled last in that race, tracked up heading into the turn before peeling wide and rounding up her opposition in good style. That was four weeks ago now but stable have purposely kept her aside for this race and it’s never wise to knock a mare in form – especially one from the state’s leading stable.

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15. YOU THINK SO – (10) 54kgs

Dour stayer who batted away for fifth (4.7 lengths) in the Hamilton Cup behind Bunchloch second up before running seventh (3.1 lengths) to Mujadale in the Ararat Cup (2000m). The extra furlong will help but not by enough to see this bloke, whose last four wins have all been at 2500m and beyond, run this lot down.

16. RIALYA – (18) 54kgs

Has missed a place in each of his seven starts this campaign with the closest he has finished to the winner during that time, being 6.6 lengths when seventh of nine in the Hamilton Cup (2200m). He was totally outclassed last week in the WFA Zipping Classic finishing last of eight and over a dozen lengths from Au Revoir and will despite the drop of 5kgs here, likely to continue to struggle.

17. WALTZING TO WIN – (13) 54kgs

The Benicio mare has had nine starts since kicking off this campaign early September with the two most recent, solid staying efforts in a RST 96 (2800m) on Cup Day and last weekend’s Listed Sandown Cup (3200m). She finished fourth in both races after making good ground from a long way back. Drops back 1000m here and being a dour type, had to see her reeling in this field from in the straight.

18. HAPPY AS HELL – J Hill (4) 54kgs

Winner of two of his four starts this prep, a BM 70 at Hamilton and the Horsham Cup, and was widely tipped to take out the Ararat Cup as well last start but finished fourth (1.8 lengths) behind Mujadale. Probably ready for longer again now but this is a stronger race again and will need to produce a new career best to be winning.

19. SHENZHOU STEEDS – J Fry (7) 54kgs (1^st EM)

July 2012 – twenty-eight starts ago now, was the last time this now 7yo won a race – the Caloundra Cup. Drew well, settled just off the speed and stuck on ok behind Pheidon second up off a ten week break before running third (2.8 lengths) behind Held Hostage in a RST 90 (2000m) on Stakes Day. Last two efforts have been honest but not good enough to see him breaking his winless drought here should he get a run.

Ballarat Cup 2014 Odds/Results:

RACE OVERVIEW

Tuscan Fire looks primed for this race after his last start effort at Flemington where only fitness over the last 100m saw him miss out on a win. Spent most of his previous campaigns racing against top company but is better placed at this level and will be hard to beat. Count Of Limonade only needs a bit of sting out of the track to come right into calculations here whilst the Spinderbella can continue on her rapid rise by producing a big run here.

1. TUSAN FIRE
2. COUNT OF LIMONADE
3. SPINDERBELLA
4. HAPPY AS HELL

News:

There is an urgency about Sydney racing that will test the patience of even the most measured racehorse trainers.

It’s an era where stables have an obsession with young horses which can run fast because their owners are mesmerised by the wealth involved in two-year-old racing and the opportunity it creates for a swift return.

And if newcomers want to make a name for themselves against the mega stables of Godolphin, Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse, it’s inevitable they will also have to tailor their training to chase juvenile riches.

With Resurrect shooting for a hat-trick of city wins in the Swim Between The Flags Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday, Scott Aspery might be an exception.

At 600kg, Resurrect isn’t built for speed because he tips the scales as one of the biggest racehorses in training.

He was never going to make the racetrack as a two-year-old but for Aspery it was somewhere to start.

In Aspery’s case, when you leave the security of working for an established Group One trainer to open your own yard, you cobble together a stable the best way you can.

Now, four years after Aspery left John O’Shea to branch out on his own, Resurrect’s syndicate of owners are being rewarded for taking a gamble on a rookie trainer.

“It would have helped Scott to have people buy precocious yearlings at the sales but when you are starting out you’ve got to take what you can get,” Justin Mathie, a part-owner and breeder of Resurrect, said.

“In Resurrect we gave him what we thought we wouldn’t be able to sell. For all of us it definitely hasn’t been a quick journey. The horse is five (years old) and it’s only now that he is showing what he can do.”

Mathie and his brothers Andrew and Jason have flirted with the best moments racing can offer as part-owners of Vigor, a Makybe Diva Stakes winner and a Caulfield Cup placegetter as well as Purrealist, one of the favourites for the 2007 Caulfield Guineas before he broke down.

Resurrect isn’t in their class but with some astute placement he has managed to win five races during 2014 with the promise of more to come.

“Expectations weren’t high because he was a big clumsy horse … there wasn’t a lot of optimism to start with,” Mathie said.

“He’s not the most fashionably bred and he’s been a slow maturing horse so it’s a credit to Scott that he has been able to get the best out of him.”