Ballarat Preview & Best Bets – 09/12/2023

Our form expert provides tips for today’s Ballarat horse racing at Ballarat Racecourse and gives his best bets.    

Ballarat Tips 09/12/2023

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 6 No. 16 DIVINE PURPOSE ($4.20) 

Keen on the former Queensland galloper, DIVINE PURPOSE, in Race 6. The new addition to the Moody/Coleman yard has had one start since coming down and was excellent at Caulfield on November 18 over the 1600m, running on without much room in the straight to fill the exacta behind Place Of Gold. The four-year-old went a healthy 6.8 lengths faster than standard benchmark in that race, which is the best last start figure of any runner. She should have improvement to come at her second run back and carts just 52.5kg after the claim for Carleen Hefel. 

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 7 No. 6 BERRY BUBBLY- ($12) 

BERRY BUBBLY can go close in the 3YO & 4YO Classic. The Robbie Griffiths and Matt de Kock-trained galloper has won three of her past four starts, including her most recent run, which was at Moonee Valley over the 955m. She was too good for them in a BenchMark 70 last time, leading all the way to defeat Qeyaady. The daughter of Redoute’s Choice steps up in grade but should have scope for improvement at her third run back and was a winner at her only start at Ballarat, while she also scored over the 1100m at the end of her last preparation. 

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 10 No. 15 TONNEOFGRIT – ($13) 

TONNEOFGRIT shapes as a value player in the final race of the day at Ballarat. The Team Hawkes-trained galloper stepped out at Flemington on November 7 over the 1400m and settled back in the field before working home for 4th. He hit the lead with 200m to go before just fading late. The five-year-old improved seven lengths on benchmark figures when second up last time to score at Sandown. A three-time winner at the distance, he draws well in barrier 3.