Bendigo Preview & Best Bets - Tuesday February 28
Balaklava Preview & Best Bets – Wednesday, March 1
Our form expert provides Balaklava tips for today’s horse racing at Balaklava and gives his best bets.
Balaklava Tips 01/03/2023
BEST BET 🏆
Race 4 No. 3 PLAISIR – ($8)
We were on Another Free Glass at Gawler while holding slight concerns with the horse racing over 2100 metres fourth-up. PLAISIR was the horse bowling along in front setting a good tempo. Another Free Glass made a long run from midfield to join in prior to straightening. Perhaps it was that leap in distance for Another Free Glass, or perhaps it was the toughness of Plaisir. Either way, Another Free Glass just could not get past the tough older gelding as Plaisir ground away to score. We had wondered if Plaisir himself was going into that race one run too early. He will obviously strip fitter again, and he has also shown a liking for this track.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 5 No. 2 IL DON CAVALLO – ($4.20)
Northern Superstar should be sent forward to lead a host of horses early into their preps. IL DON CAVALLO may be buried back the fence though looks the right horse at the right time. There’s an abundance of early pressure in this which Jason Holder can take advantage of. He did roll a little closer to the speed than expected two back over this trip at Morphettville. They ran along with Il Don Cavallo finishing okay enough in a strong form race behind Versetto that day. Pete Nolan has since tried his horse out to seven-furlongs which he found unsuitable. Better here back to 1200 metres at the provincials where Il Don Cavallo can be hitting the line.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 6 No. 5 SAHARA SONG – ($26)
Another messy race with plenty of pressure up top means we will be needing some luck with SAHARA SONG. Stacey Metcalfe has drawn the fence and will have some options ahead of her with The Gov and Rusty Halo well-supported. Metcalfe guided Sahara Song to a win at Port Augusta last prep for trainer Brian Holtham. Holtham had already produced Sahara Song to look the winner over this track and distance a couple of starts prior. Sahara Song swept on by them inside the furlong before being grabbed in the shadows by Maid In Milan. The smother Metcalfe will get here may work in her favour should she be able to work Sahara Song into the clear in time.
