EXPERT RACING TIPS: BALAKLAVA
Best Bets
Lachlan Mosley
BACK: 7. Belle From Hell (WIN) for 3 units
Belle From Hell was heavily supported last start and got a long way back at this track but really charged through the line for ane eye-catching 3rd. Would have won in a couple more bounds so the extra 100m in trip suits. Lachlan Neindorf knows the horse well and is a good enough jockey to figure things out from the wide gate. Hard to beat. Prince Lucifer started big odds on debut but denied that quote with a narrow 2nd when kept closing late over the 1050. Extra 150m looks to suit now and Jess Tzefaris sticks the ride. Draws handier than the other favourites. Villa Maria started $61 fresh and was a tough slow out. Made good ground along the fence for 3rd. Has obviously come back a better horse this prep and is another that will enjoy the rise in trip. Milnes sticks. Charming Dexter started huge odds fresh but did a good job closing well for 4th at Murray Bridge. The 2nd horse from that race Super Lad came out and won a Penola race by 7L last week so the form ties in well. Fitter and extra half-furlong suits.
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BALAKLAVA PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | WEDNESDAY MAY 21ST 2025
RAIL: True TRACK: Good 4
Found this a pretty ordinary meeting. Couldn’t find much value in the meeting so no best bet today. There’s a couple later in the day at each-way odds worth a nibble but not an overly confident meeting.
Best Bets
Lachlan Mosley
BACK: 7. Belle From Hell (WIN) for 3 units
Belle From Hell was heavily supported last start and got a long way back at this track but really charged through the line for ane eye-catching 3rd. Would have won in a couple more bounds so the extra 100m in trip suits. Lachlan Neindorf knows the horse well and is a good enough jockey to figure things out from the wide gate. Hard to beat. Prince Lucifer started big odds on debut but denied that quote with a narrow 2nd when kept closing late over the 1050. Extra 150m looks to suit now and Jess Tzefaris sticks the ride. Draws handier than the other favourites. Villa Maria started $61 fresh and was a tough slow out. Made good ground along the fence for 3rd. Has obviously come back a better horse this prep and is another that will enjoy the rise in trip. Milnes sticks. Charming Dexter started huge odds fresh but did a good job closing well for 4th at Murray Bridge. The 2nd horse from that race Super Lad came out and won a Penola race by 7L last week so the form ties in well. Fitter and extra half-furlong suits.
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4. Si Senora
5. Jill On Ice
2. Golden Horizon
6. Breakfast
Betting Strategy
Si Senora looked very good in a 800m Murray Bridge trial when cruised through the line for 3rd under no riding. Jake Toeroek takes the reins for the debut effort and should be ready to go here. The stablemate Jill On Ice was heavily backed fresh over this track/distance and didn’t let the punters down with a gutsy all the way win. Will strip fitter and is proven here at Balaklava. Can win again. Golden Horizon debuts after a handy 600m jump out. Draw softly here and a few gear adjustments for the fresh run. Watch markets. Breakfast was decent for 3rd behind Jill On Ice last start. Meets that horse a couple of kilos better at the weights. Can improve.
4. Mougenot (SCR)
3. Heaven Rocks
9. Rich Lady
13. Mystic Wonder
Betting Strategy
Mougenot (SCR) put in a much better effort last start when fighting hard right to line but was edged out late by the talented The Sprinkler. That horse looks destined for better things to the form should stack up well here. They cleared out from the other pack too. Draws well here and should be suited by the way Balaklava plays. Ready to win. Heaven Rocks only career run has form around Mougenot last prep. Did a few things wrong in the straight on debut but still fought out the finish for 2nd. Given time to mature here. Should be ready to go fresh. Poor Rich Lady is a 19 start MDN but is forever in the finish. Led and looked all over the winner last start but was just gunned in the shadows of the post. Sure to be right in the thick of things again. Mystic Wonder has better ability than it’s showing race day. Won a rial like a good horse but did nothing at metro level last start. Will appreciate getting back to a mid-week MDN and they have tinkered with gear.
5. Embellisher
7. Star Gladiator (SCR)
11. The Secret Blend
9. Jura Vadious
Betting Strategy
Embellisher has had a bizzare prep. Had some unlucky runs but has also put in some shockers. Was hard in the market last time out but bombed the start and was never a factor after that. Prepared to give one more chance here with the soft draw and blinkers going on here. Star Gladiator (SCR) has had a few chances to breakthrough now but keeps finding one or two better. Ran 4th at Oakbank but was a bit one paced in the straight. 1200M again should suit and like the engagement of Jason Holder. The Secret Blend did a bit of work early at Bordertown and that probably told in the last 100m. Still held on well for 3rd. Has long odds specking that day too. Looks the likely leader here and given the way Balaklava can play, should give a great sight out in front and prove hard to catch. Stable going very well. Jura Vadious ran very well for new trainer Jy Lukey when 3rd at Oakbank last time out. Fitter for the fresh run, extra trip suits too.
1. Flambard
2. Thinkingnintynine
5. Wild Winner
3. Back Me Up Benny
Betting Strategy
Flambard is a city horse when right that made a nice return to the races when leading and hanging on for 3rd. Leading is not really his go so expect the horse to take a sit here. Is a winner 2nd up in the past and is 1/1 at the track/distane. Hard to beat. Thinkingnintynine returns from a break and took on some good metro races last prep. The horse jumped out well for this and the horse has a good track/distance. Wild Winner was honest last Wednesday at Murray Bridge when led but was gunned down in the shadows of the post for 3rd. She’s a very honest filly who hasn’t missed a place in three goes here at Balaklava. Might prove hard to run down. Back Me Up Benny ran a good 2nd to Collated last start. That horse has since come out and won again at Murray Bridge. He draws for a soft run in transit here.
9. Scandalist
6. Lady Skylla
11. Prance N Dance
3. Mohite
Betting Strategy
BACK: 9. Scandalist (WIN & PLACE) for 1 unit
Scandalist returns from a break here and looked good at a recent trail when 3rd. She’s a lightly raced filly who scored her MDN well here three back. She has placed first up in the past and regular rider Jacob Opperman sticks the ride. Lady Skylla was sent out favourite last start and worked home well for a close up 3rd. Given a spell. Her first up run was eye-catching last prep so expecting a good performance fresh here. Prance N Dance forever starts around the money but struggles to find the photo. Her first up run was OK without threatening at Oakbank. Draws well and like the engagement of Lachy Neindorf. Mohite did a good job to score at Murray Bridge last week in a decent 900m dash. Draws well, nice claim and extra trip suits. Can win again.
2. Lord Morton
1. Lake Agawam
6. Nicish
3. So Immaculate
Betting Strategy
BACK: 2. Lord Morton (WIN & PLACE) for 1 unit
Lord Morton has come back well this prep with a couple of eye-catching runs at Oakbank when held up at times but has been hitting the line hard. Should be ready to peak 3rd up and over this extra distance. Lake Agawam is another that’s been hitting the line well at Oakbank. Has a negative racing pattern but if they go too quickly and Balaklava plays fair then it can be over them late. Last time the horse raced at Balaklava it lost by a lip so clearly likes it here. Nicish is coming off a freshen up after doing nothing when hard in the market in an apprentice only race. Draws well, blinkers on and Neindorf takes over the ride. Can bounce back. Best would beat these. So Immaculate won a MDN at Clare then raced at Oakbank and didn’t fire a shot. Report says the horse didn’t handle the undulating track. Forgive that and is in a powerful stable to bounce straight back.
1. Streetcar Apollo
4. Spirit Of Flight
5. Fox Dunnett
11. Canidae
Betting Strategy
Streetcar Apollo is a City horse when right but has come back well this prep. Led from a wide gate but was just a touch vulnerable in the straight and was swallowed up late for 2nd. Draws wide again but the horse is tractable and can either lead or come from the back. He’s the best horse in the race but will just need luck. Spirit Of Flight drops in trip here after failing over the mile when raced wide and knocked up. 1400m suits here and draws for a soft run in transit. Fox Dunnett ran a better race at Oakbank when in the wrong part of the track. The horse has placed only start at this track and distance and is in light with the 3kg claim. Looks the value runner. The old boy Canidae is ticking over OK this prep. Is another that represents value for the multiples and track/distance form is solid.
