EXPERT RACING TIPS: BALAKLAVA

BALAKLAVA PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15TH 2025

Betting Strategy

No bet race. Pretty ordinary one to start the day. Flaming Eyes won’t get a better chance to breakthrough here. Started favourite here over the longer trip and went down for a narrow 3rd. Have no issues with the horse dropping back in trip and the red-hot Jason Holder takes the ride from gate 1. Ticks boxes. On The Map finished a distance 4th at Strath last time out on a tricky day there. The previous run for a close up 4th at Murray Bridge would have her right in contention in a weak event like this. They have tinkered with gear and a senior rider goes aboard. Indiamo is edging closer to a win and really got through the line nicely over the 1300m here for 2nd last time out. Gives the impression the mile suits now. Palace Invite strips fitter for two runs in the career. Was in the market last start but only plugged to the line last start. Might be looking for this further trip now. The next best of a pretty long tail.

Betting Strategy

Alpine Lee drops back from metro level on debut when settling right back in the field but was really strong through the line for 2.9L 7th. The winner from that race Virtual Illusion has again come out and destroyed a hot juvenile field at metro level on Saturday. That’s good form for a race like this. Fitter for the debut and 1200m suits now. The stablemate Johnny The Jet is an interesting debutant. Jason Holder has jumped off Alpine Lee to ride this horse and that could be a good push. Has looked professional at the trials. Perhaps watch markets. Gwyllgi was in the market in the same race as Alpine Lee and did enough for a 5L 12th. Strips fitter and this looks easier. Respect the market push on debut. Ludina is a first starter for the astute Mick Huxtable yard. Is another that’s shown enough at recent trials and looks well placed with the claim and soft barrier draw.

Betting Strategy

Chances look at the top of the page here. Utah looked better than MDN grade and proved that with a dominant win at Strathalbyn when sweeping from off the pace and pulling away for a big win. Was OK the start prior here over this track/distance for 3rd but probably wasn’t comfortable in the slow going. Gets back to a better track here. Can win again. Magic Princess maps to give a bold sight here up front. Draws well and Balaklava generally favours rails runners. Was in the worst part of it at Gawler last start so is worth forgiving. Should give them something to gun down. Reciprocal returns from a break and took on some Group and Listed juvenile races last prep with merit. Probably is looking for a touch further but class should take him a long way here. Regular rider Ben Price suits up for the fresh assignment. Flaming Navy was hard in the market fresh but only whacked away late for 4th. Will strip fitter and the extra trip suits. Draws well and a nice claim.

Betting Strategy

No bet race. These mid-week staying races don’t enthuse. Cracken Good Time was a narrow 2nd to Empress Of Soul last time out. Now meets that horse 2kg better at the weights and could turn the tables. Is a 21-start MDN so hard to bet with confidence. Empress Of Soul is the lightly raced horse in this one. Toughed out a good win here at the track/distance last start. 2kg worse off at the weights but might have more staying upside than the rest. Irlandis is a 23-start MDN but has placed on 10 occasions. Draws well and Todd Pannell a good booking. Won’t get a better chance to breakthrough. Grinzinger Joy was a eye-catching win at this track/distance in MDN company. Ran slightly faster than the Class 1 race on the day. Is another that might have a bit more upside than these plodders.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 3. Obi (WIN and PLACE) for 2 units

Obi is a track specialist with 2 wins from 2 starts here. Closed hard at Strathalbyn last time out over this same trip. Draws out but is a get back and run on type anyway. 1/1 track/distance and the 3kg claim for Alysha Warren helps the cause. Flambard is another horse that generally races best here at Balaklava. Was short in the market last start and was OK for 3rd behind Thebigsosso. Meets the 2nd horse from that race High Tor 2kg better at the weights. Draws well with Todd Pannell aboard. High Tor is absolutely flying this prep with two dominant wins and a narrow 3rd the past three starts. Draws well and is racing well with Caitlin Tootell in the saddle. Can win again. Sniper’s Nightmare was OK raced on speed but was no match for them last time out. Forgive that and a more accomplished senior takes over.

Betting Strategy

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

Mapleway ran 11th of 11 first up at metro level over 1200m but the run wasn’t too bad. Was clearly in need of it. Drops back to midweek level, steps up in trip and is a second up winner in the past. They have tinkered with gear here. Draws well. Astrodean is fitter for the first up run where he ground home OK for a close up 6th at Strath over the 1200m. 2nd up form is very good and draws for a soft run in transit. 1400m should suit here. Enlist is a horse that can race below par then bob up at a price. Was only 2.2L away for 7th at Strath last time out. The second horse in that race, Cockatoo Ridge came out and won a metro race on Saturday so the form lines stack up. Track stats are very good. My Crackling was OK here for a distance 2nd two back then wasn’t too bad at metro level last start. This is easier. Hard to catch though.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 1. Setteveli (WIN) for 2 units

Setteveli looks to have this lot if the track plays fairly. Was really good at Gawler when swept home out wide but peaked at the 100m. Still was gallant. Looks really well placed here with the 3kg claim for Isaac Sit. Extra 100m suits and draws for a closer run today. The one to beat. Broadway Lane looks like the pace setter here. Has come back in great order this prep with a win and a couple of close up performances. Should take it up again here and prove hard to get past. Peperoncino returns from a break here and tuned up for this with a decent enough jump out. Is a winner fresh in the past and a track/distance winner too. Gusmao was unwanted in the betting first start in SA for Kylie Mckerlie but closed really hard for an eye-catching 3rd here over the 1050m. Draws well and extra trip suits here.