EXPERT RACING TIPS: BALAKLAVA

BALAKLAVA PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH 2025

Betting Strategy

BACK: 5. Suit Of Wands (SCR)

Suit Of Wands is bursting to win a race and finds a really easy assignment here. Was my best bet last week but only really ground through the line for 2nd. Gives the impression this longer trip suits now and being by Dundeel the staying trip will be no issue. Looks his day today. Flaming Eyes is another one that could be looking for this longer trip after getting through the line nicely from well back over the 1500m. Gets the states best distance jockey aboard for the journey and might have a little more scope than some of these plonkers. Cracken Good Time is a 19-start MDN but is forever around the mark with close up placings and fourths. Draws well and drops 2kg with the claim. Should be around the mark. Empress Of Soul is probably one of the plainer horses in the Stokes yard but won’t have to be a world beater to be competitive in this. Is fitter for 3 runs back from a break and the rise to 2200m could be what the horse is looking for.

Betting Strategy

So Polite looks to have a bit of talent but let the punters down first up when burnt too much gas early on a fast speed and knocked up in the straight. Happy to forgive that and the horse will be better for the run. Just needs to take things easy in transit. Can bounce back. The Jolly team have a first starter here that has looked very good at the jump outs and trials. Draws to do no work from gate one. Hard to see him not in the finish. I Am Ralph returns from a break here. Does a few things wrong in his races but does have ability. Contested a Series Final 100k race at Oakbank last prep where the horse didn’t have much go right. Should be highly competitive fresh. Merchant Of Greece was solid first up for the Theodore camp when leading but just swallowed up at Bordertown. Fitter for that, looks the likely leader and Todd Pannell a good booking.

Betting Strategy

This is a good race for a mid-week MDN at Balaklava. Was keen on Princess of Palm before the scratching. Safe Bet is better for two runs back with a couple of good 3rd placings. He ticks a few boxes here with the soft draw/extra trip and 3kg claim for Alysha Warren. Boast a 2nd at BM68 that will hold in good stead back in MDN company. Sassy Sophie is ticking over OK this prep and race a good 2nd at this trip over the 1600m. Shouldn’t be deterred by the drop back to 1400m. Goldfields Grey was unwanted in betting on debut but really caught the eye when very strong through the line for 2nd behind a dominant Mondello. Better for the run and extra trip looks to suit. Oakley Miss will find this easier than recent racing. Ran a decent 2nd at this track to Kalmana last start at this track. That horse is a city performed horse with upside so that looks a good form line

Betting Strategy

BACK: 9. Petit Eagle (SCR)

Petit Eagle is better than MDN grade but the horse is just not having any luck this prep. Went down to Bordertown and wasn’t really suited by that track bias but did flood home for ANOTHER eye-catcher. Is a MDN taking on a Class 1 but it’s not overly strong and drops down to the 54kg. Loca Bella has run 4 placings on end including a last start 3.8L 3rd to the well above average Anthracite. That is the best form lines for a race like this. Drops in grade and like the booking of Jason Holder. Never missed a place in goes at this distance. Pacific Cross joins the Bain/Taylor camp after coming over from Glen Thompson in Melbourne. Is probably looking for further than the mile but does get a significant drop back in class. Does goes well fresh so expect a bold showing. Magic Princess has been OK without setting the world on fire. Draws well and drops in weight and looks the best of a pretty ordinary tail.

Betting Strategy

Savatoff strung together a couple of wins together before tackling a metro race and was OK for 3L 9th. This is a drop back in class and the horse has a great record over this distance. Placed only start at Balaklava and the horse should come home hard out wide (if the track plays fair) Super Lad got a nice win last start when leading and proved to be too strong for 1.8L victory over the 1400m. Looks the likely leader again and will be hard to gun down again after drawing for a soft run. Monseagle ran 2nd to Super Lad when working through the line over the 1400m. Gets to the pet trip now and a 1.5kg swing now. Races best at Balaklava. Sazerac was met with market confidence last start and that proved correct with a 2nd career win. Can go on with it with the tail up now

Betting Strategy

BACK: 1. Outpost (WIN) for 2 units @

Worst race of the day. Outpost was met with heavy market support and did a great job for 2nd here on Balaklava Cup day when race wide on a hot speed and he stuck on really well when entitled to drop out. Should be right in the finish with even luck and it’s probably an easier assignment. Sir Leapalot drops back from metro BM70 level when ran a cheeky 1.7L 5th. Previous form is excellent with 4 placings in a row. Drops back in grade and sure to be right in the finish. Astromancer comes back from a break and has pretty good first up form with three 2nds from 4 fresh attempts. The mare goes well at the track and trip too. Mercury Eight looks best of the rest in a race with a very long tail. He’s a track and distance winner who stuck on well for 3rd in the same race as Outpost.

Lachlan Mosley

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Betting Strategy

BACK: 2. Hamner Springs (WIN) for 3 units

Hamner Springs looks the clear top pick here after dropping back from a much tougher race at metro level when found the 1100m way too short but got through the gears late for 4L 7th. This is significantly easier and the step up in trip suits. Progressive horse that should win this and head straight back to metro racing. Testa Dexta is a model of consistency with four placings from his past four runs including a couple of very unlucky efforts. Draws poorly is quite tractable and can either take it up and race on pace or come home hard from the back. Races well at Balakalva. Should be around the mark. Dylan’s Lad was close up in that same race as Testa Dexta when 1.2L 2nd. He’s no world beater but should be able to fill a hole in a shocking race. Rokabye Warrior was somewhat in the market fresh but didn’t do a whole lot. He does have a good S.P profile though without setting the world on fire. Like the engagement of a senior rider here. Expect sharp improvement.

Lachlan Mosley

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