Thursday night best bets & punting strategy at Ballarat (19/12)

Ryan Phelan's tips, 10-unit strategy and Quaddie for Thursday night at Ballarat.

See his best below, courtesy of Harness Racing Victoria.

R1 – 6:05pm – BALLARATTROTTINGCLUB.COM.AU Pace - 2200m

2 – Elated
3 – Platinum Jive
5 – Alanna Miki
1 – Jacksboy

Elated gets a run here as the emergency and has really hit form this preparation for new trainer Adam Rudd. His win at Gunbower two runs back when able to lead all the way was strong, and was a runner-up last week at Wagga in very fast time. Drawn to lead again and will take catching.

BACK: 2 Elated – 1 Units (win)

R2 – 6:34pm – Alfredton Laundry Concession Drivers Pace – 1710m

7 – Monsieur Flamel
3 – Foregone Conclusion
4 – Sasscilian
10 – Yankee Gambler

R3 – 7:00pm – Radio Ballarat Vicbred Platinum Homegrown Classic (3yo Trotting Colts & Geldings ht.) – 1710m

4 – Exasperation
5 – El Bravo
8 – Maximez
2 – Kvintet Hill

Exasperation is a first starter for the powerful Emma Stewart stable and comes here off the back of a good trial at Melton where he looked a nice type. There’s no spoil with the price but he might be a nice one to roll into multis with a few shorties on the card.

BACK: 4 Exasperation - 3 Units (win)

R4 – 7:36pm – Beraldo Coffee Concession Drivers Trot – 2200m

6 – Tetra
8 – Champagnes
4 – Aldebaran Selena
1 – Primz Luck

This being a concession race, whilst we may not get regular drivers, these horses form is well known to each other. Tetra was a winner on Sunday night at Cranbourne, but two runs prior beat an almost identical field and set up when able to lead all the way. I feel his main danger is Champagnes who can do this wrong, whereas Tetra has good manners. No reason to see he won’t repeat the dose.

BACK: 6 Tetra – 2 Units (win)

R5 – 8:13pm – APCO – We’ve Got You Covered Vicbred Platinum Homegrown Classic (3yo Fillies ht.) – 1710m

1 – Jilliby Illusion
8 – Tough Shaz
3 – Ultimate Joy
4 – Beat Sweet

Good quality 3yo fillies race here with different form lines and fresh up runners. I agonised tipping between my top four with all having the ability to run time, so it came down to map. Jilliby Illusion has the speed to lead Ultimate Joy and in the end that’s the deciding factor.

BACK: 1 Jilliby Illusion – 1 Unit (win)

R6 – 8:50pm – Natures Cargo Vicbred Platinum Homegrown Classic (3yo Colts & Geldings ht.) – 1710m

4 – Our Rocker
1 – Ata Rangi
3 – Alfredjohncrusader
2 – Maxy Bomber

R7 – 9:20pm – Ballarat Pacing Cup 18th Jan Vicbred Platinum Homegrown Classic (3yo Trotting Fillies ht.) – 1710m

4 – Promise Dream
3 – Kyvalley Misty
2 – Winnies Dream
6 – Great Horizon

R8 – 9:50pm – Woodlands Stud 2yo Maiden Trot – 1710m

7 – Claudys Hero
3 – Far As Possible
2 – Amartey
5 – Iberian

Claudys Hero has raced in solid company in all five runs this season and has shown ability. He’s first up from a break here without a trial but this opposition doesn’t appear to be overly strong, and his class can get him through.

BACK: 7 Claudys Hero – 3 Units (win)

QUADDIE

1,3,4,8
1,3,4
2,3,4
7

$36 = 100%

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