EXPERT RACING TIPS: BALAKLAVA

BALAKLAVA PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | WEDNESDAY JULY 30TH 2025

Betting Strategy

No bet race. Not enough exposed form here to bet with confidence. Some of these horses have trialled and jumped out well for their debuts here. Perhaps watch for any positive betting flucs if you are keen to play but I would be staying out here.

Betting Strategy

Tiddy Widdy will appreciate dropping back from City grade to a mid-week MDN. Probably did a bit too much work on speed last start and knocked up for 5th. The previous run for 3rd behind the talented Major Rumble will put her in good stead for a race like this. Has race experience on her side. Whine For Wine resumes from a spell and only career run was an excellent close up 4th at metro level. Given time to mature and in the right stable for instant success fresh. Zarubina started a big price at Gawler but ran a really good 2nd behind a dominant Halliwell. Looks to have come back in good order this prep and is proven on the heavy tracks. Can go one better. Our Bolt started in the market on debut at Oakbank but didn’t do much. Been off the scene for 80 weeks so obviously had some issues. Respect the S.P profile.

Betting Strategy

Massive tail on this. Elite Thunder was heard in the market and did a good job to grind away for 5L 3rd behind a dominant Hot Strut. That horse has since won again and placed in town on the weekend. That looks like good form lines for a race like this. Draws well and Jake Toeroek sticks the ride. Open to improvement. Empress Of Soul returns from a spell here and is in the powerful Phillip Stokes stable. The horse boasts a placing at metro BM60 level and just had a poke around at a recent trial. Draws to do no extra work and should be going very close here. Meet The Rose is on debut here and was asked to do nothing in a recent trial. Respect the way Sarah Rutten presents her horses race day. Perhaps watch for any positive betting moves. Old Mate Bluey looks best of the rest with a couple of OK races at Port Augusta. Should be thereabouts.

Betting Strategy

No bet race. Shocker. Menace To Sobriety was met with market support last start and performed well over this track and distance with a narrow 2nd. A repeat of that performance would have him going close here. He does mix form though so take on tust. Coorong Tycoon got the MDN out the way in style with a 4L victory over 2000m at Murray Bridge. Extra trip looks to suit and might have more upside than the rest of these slow ones. Jake Toeroek sticks the ride. Moanas Fortune has been thereabouts the last couple of start after winning the MDN by 7L on a heavy track. Will get similar conditions here with the huge rain we have had and reunites with premiership winning jockey Rochelle Milnes. Ambitious Creek is often thereabouts in these mid-week staying races without winning. Will be around the mark but hard to back with any confidence

Betting Strategy

BACK: 1. Babayka (WIN & PLACE) for 2 units

Babayka is ticking over nicely this prep with a couple of handy 2nd placings of late. Tried hard for 2nd but was no match for a dominant Aloha Blue. This horse loves racing on heavy tracks and he is well placed with the 2kg claim for Caitlin Tootell. Charm Catcher returns from a break and looks to be quite progressive. Won his only career start over this track/distance. Draws to do now work from barrier 1. Smashing Action was good at Mildura for a close up 2nd. Gets back to the track where she was a dominant winner this track/distance. Lightly raced and looks to have a bit of upside. Lapilli returns from a break and best form last prep is metro class. First up form is good and the drop back to mid-week level looks ideal.

Lachlan Mosley

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Betting Strategy

BACK: 1. Nostryia (SCR)

Nostryia is finally showing that early promise with a narrow 2nd then a metro win first and second up. Forget about last run when he just did too much work and popped in the straight. Draws well and the 4kg claim helps and loves the heavy surfaces. Hard to beat with all those boxes ticked. Kindra Park is returning from a spell and generally takes a run or two to get into things but I am going to elevate this in the numbers as it’s had two starts on heavy for a win and a 3rd. Has placed here in the past and gets the 2kg claim for promising young jockey Matthew Chadwick. Reine of Nine bombed the kick last start and was forced to play catch the entire and lost all chance of winning. Plugged home OK for 4.9L 9th. Drops back from metro to midweek level and the barrier blanket goes on to help with the jump. 3kg claim suits. Italian Informant was a good winner two back but then did nothing at Bordertown when hot favourite. Not sure the horse saw out a strong 1300m so the drop back in trip should suit.

Betting Strategy

No bet race. Enchipering looks hard to toss here after a real eye-catching performance when 2nd at Gawler by a lip. He’s a city horse on his day so will be hoping to go one better and get back to Satruday racing. Draws well, nice claim and grows a leg in these conditions. Flying Step caught the eye late over the 1500m trip last time out. She’s proven in the ground and might be looking for this further trip now. Flying Assassin made it 3 mid-week wins on end but then stepped up to town and failed. Drops right back in grade here and is well suited with the claim. Is another that swims through the conditions. The True Believer was sent out big odds last start but ran a really good closing 3rd at Gawler behind Flying Assassin. A repeat of that performance would have the horse go close here.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 3. France’s Boy (WIN) for 2 units

The grey beard France’s Boy could go home a winner at start number 150! Drops back from metro races where he has still been performing very honestly in town so will appreciate the drop back here. Ticks a few boxes with the claim and good stats in the heavy. Should lead and prove hard to run down. Loca Bella ran a much improved race last time out when 2nd at Gawler and was beaten by a horse that had the express lane out wide. Is a winner here at Balaklava in the past and can go one better. Piwhane is racing in great heart with two wins from her past three goes. Gets some weight relief with the claim for Alyssa Warren and handles the cut out the track. Spelman was luckless first up and then was met with long odds market support 2nd up but didn’t fire a shot. Might be worth one more chance with the gear change and good barrier.

Lachlan Mosley

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