Bronte Nieuwenburg's Thursday best at Ballarat (09/07)

By Bronte Nieuwenburg

Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for tonight’s meeting at Ballarat.

Race 1

OVERVIEW: KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (11) is the class mare in this field, although her manners have let her down at her past three starts. Two runs ago, she missed the start in Free For All company at Melton and was beaten just 7.6 metres. In that race she finished just behind Jilliby Dreamlover, who went on to win the Great Square at his next start and is now a leading Inter Dominion contender. If she trots throughout, she will be hard to beat. PARIS KAY (3) is a nice mare at her best. She raced well in the breeze last start and, if she can settle in a favourable position, is a genuine winning chance. BUSLIN BRODY (9) follows out the fast beginner NIGHT FLIGHT (2) and should enjoy a good run in transit. NIGHT FLIGHT (2) has the gate speed to make full use of the draw and looks the likely early leader.

BACK: KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (11) – 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: KEAYANG TWEETYBIRD (11), PARIS KAY (3), BUSLIN BRODY (9), NIGHT FLIGHT (2)

Race 2

OVERVIEW: METRO SWISH (3) has great gate speed and looks the likely leader. She is racing well and should enjoy a favourable race map. MOREEP (10) has occasionally let herself down with her manners, but some of her performances on the clock have been excellent. If she can settle and trot throughout, she is a genuine winning chance. BUCKLES FOR BERRY (6) is a competitive trotting mare when she does everything right. She will need some luck from the barrier, but has the ability to feature. SIOUX WARRIOR (2) is a well-bred trotter prepared by leading trainer Jess Tubbs. He has plenty of ability, but can still race a little green. If he brings his best manners, he is a major threat. SNICKERS EXPRESS (4) and KICKABARREL (1) are also first four chances here.

BACK: METRO SWISH (3) – 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: METRO SWISH (3), MOREEP (10), BUCKLES FOR BERRY (6), SIOUX WARRIOR (2)

Race 3

OVERVIEW: BAYSTYLE (7) is a classy two-year-old with a bright future. He finished second in the Durham Park Rising Star at this track two starts ago and was beaten just five metres by the exciting Comeandsee. Barrier seven and taking on older horses make this a tougher assignment, but he has the ability to measure up. SKIPPYS DELIGHT (4) has not won since 2024, but his recent performances have been better than they appear on paper. If he can settle in a favourable position, he is capable of returning to form. FICTION FILE (9) is a smart, well-bred filly who has competed at the highest level throughout her career. She should follow through into a suitable position and looks a genuine chance. BUILDTHEMANASTATUE (1) was an impressive third in the APG Final last start. He has the gate speed to make full use of the ace draw and should enjoy an ideal run on the fence.

BACK: BAYSTYLE (7) – 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: BAYSTYLE (7), SKIPPYS DELIGHT (4), FICTION FILE (9), BUILDTHEMANASTATUE (1)

Race 4

OVERVIEW: TEX GOES BANG (9) has been racing well and has often had to make his own luck from tricky barriers in recent starts. Barrier nine should allow him to settle more comfortably and conserve energy early. Driver Liam Older is in great form and has built a good association with the gelding. SUPER CODE (3) has better form than his numerical figures suggest, with his sectional times consistently strong. If he can settle in a favourable position and enjoy some luck in running, he is a genuine winning chance. SKYZ ABOVE (1) scored at big odds over this track four starts ago after enjoying a fence trip. She looks likely to receive a similar run here and is well placed. TOPHUT JOHNY (7) is a 30-time winner who continues to race well, but he will need some luck from the draw. Also respecting FREAK OUT (5), who continues to perform well each start, and WICHITA KANSAS (8), who has a sharp turn of foot but may find himself buried on the fence from the inside of the back row.

BACK: TEX GOES BANG (9) – 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: TEX GOES BANG (9), SUPER CODE (3), SKYZ ABOVE (1), TOPHUT JOHNY (7)

Race 5

OVERVIEW: This is a maiden with a variety of form lines across the field. SOHO CRUNCH TIME (9) is the NSW visitor from the Michael Stanley stable. He covered an extra 31 metres on debut at Newcastle after doing plenty of work and understandably tired late. He should improve from that run and looks set to enjoy a favourable trip from barrier nine. HALF AS TOUGH (6) is a first starter for Jason Ainsworth. He finished second in a recent Horsham trial and, whatever he does here, is likely to improve with the experience. WOODVILLE FLYER (5), the daughter of star mare Aussie Made Lombo, has shown she has ability but has often faced tough runs or stronger opposition throughout her career. Another awkward barrier means she is likely to have to make her own luck again. HEZ NOT THE MESSIAH (4) is having his third career start and has shown promise at the trials. He looks to have ability and should improve with racing. ZEALYN (2) has good gate speed and could be a solid first four chance if he is able to find the fence.

SELECTIONS: SOHO CRUNCH TIME (9), HALF AS TOUGH (6), WOODVILLE FLYER (5), HEZ NOTTHE MESSIAH (4)

Race 6

OVERVIEW: ALDEBARAN JAZMINE (8) is a smart filly who was beaten just 2.6 metres in the NSW Trotters Oaks three starts ago. She returned to the winners' list at Maryborough last start and looks a progressive type with plenty of upside. CEEJAY ON BROADWAY (3) resumed in June after a spell since October last year and made a mistake during the run. However, she had won three Maryborough trials leading into that performance, suggesting the time away has done her good. If she trots throughout, she is a genuine winning chance. VANCE LANE (7) was a competitive two-year-old last season when he did everything right. He resumes after a lengthy spell and comes into this race off a recent Horsham trial win. LIFE ON THE HILL (4) was an impressive winner at Bendigo last start and brings winning confidence into a stronger race. ROSEOFTHEWINDS (6) is an interesting runner who has had just three career starts. She broke on debut, was checked at her second outing and then impressed when winning at Horsham. She should take further improvement from that performance.

BACK: ALDEBARAN JAZMINE (8) – 2 units (win)

SELECTIONS: ALDEBARAN JAZMINE (8), CEEJAY ON BROADWAY (3), VANCE LANE (7), LIFE ON THE HILL (4)

Race 7

OVERVIEW: KEAYANG ZIA (5) is the younger sister of champion mare Keayang Zahara. She is a first starter who has been given plenty of time to develop. Her first trial was back in 2024, but she now makes her raceday debut after finishing second in a recent Terang trial. She looks an interesting prospect and we will learn more about her here. ALCOMBZ (7) has had two career starts. He made a mistake on debut before finishing fourth at this track at his second outing after making a sustained run. He trialled well before making his debut and has shown he has ability. PIQUE (2) resumed with a strong second last start, charging home late. She should take improvement from that performance and looks well placed from the favourable draw. WATCH THE BAY (6) has had little luck in recent starts, but some of his performances on the clock have been encouraging. He will need some luck in running but is one to keep an eye on.

SELECTIONS: KEAYANG ZIA (5), ALCOMBZ (7), PIQUE (2), WATCH THE BAY (6)