The time-honoured Ballarat Cup will be run and won on Saturday with a classy field accepted for the race.
There is plenty of opportunities to fill up the account and our full 2021 Ballarat Cup Tips & Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1 – 2:04pm – Tourism WA Trophy (2200m)
Tip: No. 1 Pure Devotion
Pure Devotion is chasing a hat-trick of wins and can win the first on Railway Stakes Day.
The daughter of So You Think tuned up with a fair effort for fifth here early last month and hasn’t looked back, winning each of her two subsequent starts with something in hand.
She’s rock-hard fit and will be steered by Willie Pike.
Race 2 – 2:44pm – Magic Millions-Crystal Slipper Stakes (1100m)
Tip: No Bet
Just three of the seven confirmed starters in this year’s Crystal Slipper have raceday experience and at publish, several debutants are prominent in betting.
This race is not for me, I’m happy to watch with a view towards something later in the season.
Race 3 – 3:24pm – Amelia Park Handicap (1800m)
Tip: No. 1 Brave Angel
Brave Angel looks well placed to strike third-up on Railway Stakes Day.
The Tavistock mare failed to quicken in a 1600m contest here when resuming, but stripped fitter and ran home well to fill the minors last time out.
She harbours plenty of improvement and getting out to 1800m is ideal for her.
Race 4 – 4:04pm – Benchmark 66 Handicap (1600m)
Tip: No. 2 Ginger Flyer
She will need luck after drawing awkwardly, but Ginger Flyer’s form has been nothing short of outstanding this prep, and I thought that this was another very winnable race for her.
The Gingerbread Man mare hasn’t finished worse than second in six starts back this time, and recorded consecutive wins here two and three starts back before finishing second behind a good one in Beret last time out.
There isn’t a runner of that ability engaged this week, and Ginger Flyer can bounce back.
Race 5 – 4:44pm – Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m)
Tip: No. 6 Flying Missile
I think that the favourite, Flying Missile, will prove tough to beat in the Placid Ark Stakes.
Flying Missile ended her last prep with three-consecutive wins, each bullish in metro company, and she has laid a good account for herself in three feature races since resuming this time.
She strikes this contest in peak order, is drawn ideally and it really does look the perfect target for her.
Race 6 – 5:25pm – Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m)
Tip: No. 4 Dom To Shoot
He didn’t show a lot in his first start back this time, but Dom To Shoot is a quality racehorse, and I think that he is a very good chance of winning the Carbine Club Of WA Stakes, at a nice price ($10 at publish).
The Shooting To Win gelding stamped himself as a runner to follow last summer, and earned himself a trip east for the Autumn Carnival this year.
Things didn’t go to plan in the Australian Guineas, but he did claim a consolation victory in the Mornington Guineas.
We can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 7 – 6:05pm – Group 2 Sky Racing WA Guineas (1600m)
Tip: No. 13 Treasured Star
Treasured Star has hardly put a hoof wrong since debuting, and I am confident that she can return to winning form in the WA Guineas.
The Toronado filly returned for consecutive wins at Northam and Ascot in September and October, but was a little flat in the Burgess Queen on Melbourne Cup Day.
The conditions of this race look ideal for her – I’m really keen to see what she can do over a mile, and the booking of Pike obviously doesn’t hurt her chances either.
Race 8 – 6:45pm – Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m)
Tip: No. 16 Western Empire
Without any east coast raiders this year, the Railway Stakes field is stacked with Perth’s best milers.
I’ve put Western Empire on top, but be sure to check out my full race preview and complete 2021 Railway Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Race 9 – 7:20pm – Jungle Mist Classic (1200m)
Tip: No. 9 Bright Diamond
I’ll be sticking with last-start winner Bright Diamond in the Jungle Mist Classic.
Simply put, Bright Diamond doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and she is yet to finish outside of the placings in nine starts since debuting.
She kept her best work for late when third, albeit well beaten here first-up, and she converted that performance into an easy win last time.
This is another rise in class, but she’ll enjoy further improvement and will prove tough to beat again.
Race 10 – 7:57pm – Drummond Golf Handicap (1200m)
Tip: No. 11 God Has Chosen
God Has Chosen is a strong and consistent performer, and is the one to beat in the last on Railway Stakes Day.
The Playing God gelding has recorded three wins and two second placings in five career starts, and gave them a galloping lesson here last time out.
With even luck, I cannot find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.