Townsville Racing Tips 16 June 2026 — can Mind Over Matter keep rolling?
Ballarat Racing Tips 16 June 2026 — can McEvoy run the table?
Ballarat Racing Tips 16 June 2026 — can McEvoy run the table?
Some meetings have one star and a bunch of noise. Ballarat today looks the other way around: it’s the stables that jump off the page first, and you can build the whole card from there. T & C McEvoy bring a proper spread of runners across the program, P Kearney is operating like he owns the place, and there’s a cluster of riders with real, repeatable Ballarat numbers rather than the usual one-and-done track visits.
It’s an all-weather meeting, and that matters because race shape tends to be more honest here: you can sit handy without burning petrol, and you don’t need to be a freak to sustain a run. Below are my Ballarat racing tips race-by-race, written for someone who wants the thinking and the play, not a spreadsheet. I’ll be clear where I’m betting and where I’m watching.
Ballarat — the setup
All five races are on the all-weather. With most of the card made up of maidens, there isn’t a heap of deep course history among the horses themselves. Only one runner on the whole card has 5-plus prior runs here, so treat most horse course records as a single data point rather than gospel.
Where the track edge does look actionable is in the rider and trainer profiles. A few of these jockeys are riding Ballarat like they know the turns in their sleep, and a couple of trainers have the kind of small-sample record that’s still worth respecting because the strike is so clean.
Jockeys with meaningful Ballarat samples (5+ rides) today
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W Egan | 13 | 3 | 8 | 23.08 | 61.54 |
| John Allen | 48 | 8 | 26 | 16.67 | 54.17 |
| W Gordon | 22 | 5 | 6 | 22.73 | 27.27 |
| Declan Bates | 29 | 4 | 7 | 13.79 | 24.14 |
| Neil Farley | 17 | 2 | 7 | 11.76 | 41.18 |
| R J Hurdle | 8 | 1 | 2 | 12.50 | 25.00 |
| C Newitt | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 16.67 |
| Zac Spain | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0.00 | 28.57 |
Trainers with meaningful Ballarat samples (5+ runners) today
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T & C Mcevoy | 16 | 4 | 10 | 25.00 | 62.50 |
| Nick Ryan | 9 | 3 | 6 | 33.33 | 66.67 |
| Archie Alexander | 12 | 3 | 4 | 25.00 | 33.33 |
| N A Blackiston | 5 | 1 | 1 | 20.00 | 20.00 |
| Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 34 | 5 | 15 | 14.71 | 44.12 |
| Andrew Noblet | 16 | 1 | 4 | 6.25 | 25.00 |
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Race-by-race
Race 1: Porter Plant Mdn Plate — 13:00, 1312m
Oman is the one I want on side early. He’s already shown enough to be competitive in this sort of 2yo race, and the map gives him every chance to take a position from gate 1 rather than getting tangled in the wide traffic. In a field loaded with first-starters and light profiles, I’ll lean to the runner that can hold a spot, build through the gears, and not have to win the race twice.
The other key piece here is the rider. Jordan Childs has only had three rides at Ballarat, but he’s won once and placed twice. That’s not a trend yet, but it’s a clear sign he rides the place well when he’s here. From barrier 1, it’s a simple job: land in the first half, don’t panic, and let the all-weather do the rest.
The danger is Tauto Bar on debut for Ben, Will and JD Hayes with Zac Spain aboard. Hayes have the volume at this track and Spain can give a horse every chance from a tricky draw. If Tauto Bar has any early education, it can slide across and be in the firing line.
Play: Win bet Oman. Saver exacta Oman and Tauto Bar.
Race 2: Global Turf Mdn Plate — 13:30, 1312m
The puzzle here is whether Apache Sunrise finally turns the consistency into a win. The form line says he keeps finding trouble or finding one better, but “235-03” tells you he stays in the fight. Declan Bates sticks, and while Bates doesn’t have a towering Ballarat strike rate, he’s ridden the track 29 times, so he’s not guessing.
I like Apache Sunrise because the setup looks forgiving: 1312m on the all-weather, plenty of these are either one-paced or still learning, and he’s the type who can absorb a mid-race squeeze and still give you a kick from the 400m. Gate 11 isn’t ideal, but it’s not a death sentence here if the rider is decisive early.
The horse I’m most wary of is Coniston Spice from barrier 1 with Olivia East. East has a real Ballarat feel to her riding: 2 wins from 5 rides here, and her average finishing position at the track is strong. Small sample, yes, but it’s enough to respect when the draw hands her a soft run.
Play: Each-way Apache Sunrise. If Coniston Spice drifts, save with a small win bet.
Race 3: Whitford Liquid Waste Mdn Plate — 14:00, 1531m
I’m not trying to be clever in this one. Harry de Lad looks like a maiden that’s sick of being a maiden. That “7-23233” profile is what you want at this trip: he keeps landing in the first three, he keeps finding the line, and he’s drawn (gate 5) to get the sort of run you can bank on.
W Gordon rides Ballarat well enough to matter. He wins just under a quarter of his rides here from a big enough base (22 rides) to take seriously, and he’s not relying on miracles or inside-rail gifts to do it. For a horse like Harry de Lad, the key is timing: don’t go too soon and make it a 600m slog, but don’t wait for the last split either because this horse can sustain pressure.
The danger is Menzies Creek (barrier 2) who brings a similar “always there” profile (5-36223). If that one holds the box seat and turns it into a sprint home, you’ll need Harry de Lad close enough on the bend.
Play: Win bet Harry de Lad. Quinella with Menzies Creek if you’re playing multiples.
Race 4: Mittys Mdn Plate — 14:30, 1094m
The market will probably gravitate to the older horses, but the run profile I want is Del Lirenza. She’s a 2yo taking on older maidens, and that can look odd until you notice she’s already put together back-to-back placings (form “33”). That’s a baby who knows her job, and in these short-course all-weather maidens, professionalism is half the battle.
T & C McEvoy are a proper Ballarat stable in terms of outcomes: 4 wins and 10 placings from 16 runners here, which means they’re not just visiting. Del Lirenza also gets in light at 114.6. That weight edge matters when the race becomes a dash from the turn and the older horses start to feel their impost.
The danger is Morning Ralph (form “452”). He’s closer to breaking through than most of these, and the Corstens and Larkin team can place one well. But they’ve had five runners at Ballarat without a win, and that’s enough to nudge me back to the McEvoy runner when the profiles are comparable.
Play: Win bet Del Lirenza. If the price is skinny, consider win and place rather than hunting for a hero.
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18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Race 5: Manhari (Bm66) — 15:00, 1094m
This is the best betting race on the card because we’re finally dealing with runners who have established patterns, not just maiden guesswork. I’m siding with Foremmakate. The form “0-11” tells you everything: she’s taken a while to work it out, then she’s started winning. From barrier 1 with R J Hurdle, she controls her own destiny.
Barrier 1 at 1094m on the all-weather gives you options. You can hold the lead if nothing else wants it, or you can take the sit and make someone come around you. Either way, you’re not relying on luck. The danger is the pace squeeze, so the main threat is the one likely to slide across and test her early: Tassorting from gate 3. Jerome Hunter has a serious Ballarat record in the context of the sample: 2 wins from 4 runners here, and that’s usually a sign they come with intent rather than hope.
One runner you can include for wider exotics without pretending it’s a lock is Orlabent. He’s had one run at Ballarat for no placing, so don’t dress him up as a “track horse”, but if the leaders overdo it he’s the type who can pick up tired legs late.
Play: Win bet Foremmakate. Small saver win Tassorting if it’s backable. Exacta box the pair if you want a tighter play.
The plays
NAP: Foremmakate (Race 5, 15:00). Drawn to own the race, and her recent winning profile reads like a horse that’s found the trick.
Value: Apache Sunrise (Race 2, 13:30) each-way. The wide draw will scare people off, but his form says he keeps turning up, and you don’t need a perfect run at Ballarat if you can sustain a move.
Banker for multis: Harry de Lad (Race 3, 14:00) in the top two or three, depending on your bet type. He’s been living in the placings and gets the right gate to repeat it.
Each-way anchor: Del Lirenza (Race 4, 14:30). Two straight placings and a big weight pull makes her the kind of runner you can back without needing everything to go right.
Course angle to keep: McEvoy at Ballarat is a real pattern: they place nearly two-thirds of their runners here (10 placings from 16). If they keep bringing numbers like this, they’ll be a recurring Ballarat predictions shortcut every time the all-weather card pops up.
FAQ
What time does racing start at Ballarat today?
Ballarat kicks off at 13:00 with the Porter Plant Mdn Plate over 1312m.
Who are the top jockeys at Ballarat on today’s card?
On meaningful Ballarat samples, W Egan leads the place profile: 8 placings from 13 rides. John Allen is the volume rider with 48 rides for 26 placings, and W Gordon has 5 wins from 22 rides at the track.
Who are the top trainers at Ballarat on today’s card?
T & C McEvoy are the standout for depth: 16 runners at Ballarat for 4 wins and 10 placings. Nick Ryan also holds strong numbers here with 3 wins and 6 placings from 9 runners.
What are the best bets at Ballarat today?
The best bet on my Ballarat best bets list is Foremmakate in Race 5 (15:00). The best each-way look is Apache Sunrise in Race 2 (13:30), with Harry de Lad (Race 3, 14:00) the safest placement runner on the card.
Where can I find the best odds for Ballarat races?
Best prices move quickly on all-weather maidens. If you’re shopping Ballarat odds, compare early and again closer to jump, especially in Race 1 and Race 2 where debutants can swing the market late. For bookmaker options and promos, check the odds tiles and offers on RacingBase before you bet.
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