Ballina Preview & Best Bets – 05/01/2024

Ballina Tips for Friday, January 5

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 7:  No.4  JUKEBOX IN SIBERIA  ($1.95 with Neds)

The job of winning this race became a lot easier with the scratching of pre-post favourite (Fortuneer), leaving the Annabel Neasham-trained JUKEBOX IN SIBERIA a little skinny with the bagmen, but now looking the one to beat here. Last start, the Russian Revolution filly was resuming from a 14-week spell when she was caught wide from the outset and never on the track as she finished fourth (of 11) in a BM62 over 1200m at the Gold Coast. That run is best forgotten. Jag Guthmann-Chester returns for today’s assignment, having already tasted success with the filly. She gets all the favours here jumping from gate one today and enjoying a sit (on the fence) behind the speed, she gets the last crack at them in the run home. Already a winner when second-up, she can get the job done today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 1:  No.8  TECTONIC PLATE  ($3.20 with bet365)

The Daniel Bowen-trained TECTONIC PLATE is in great touch this time in and at the weights today, looks the one to beat in this contest. Last start, the Supido mare faced her first heavy track and fared well when she beat all but one home in a Class 3 Hcp over 1110m at Lismore. That was her fourth podium finish in five starts this preparation. Already a winner here, she gets the gun-run today from gate one as Danny Peisley returns for the ride, having steered the four-year-old to both career wins to date. She maps to settle just behind the speed (on the fence) and coming in on the limit here, the pull in the weights should be all the edge she needs to finish best here.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 6:  No.10  ROTHESAY’S RUBY  ($8 with Bet Right)

The money comes for the Peter Sinclair-trained ROTHESAY’S RUBY as she goes to the gates, second-up and set for back-to-back wins today. Last start, the Rothesay mare resumed off a 14-week spell when she broke through for her maiden victory, here over 1410m. With Brodie Loy aboard, she came from mid-field and finished best to grab victory in the final 50m, with some to spare as she crossed the line. She returns to where it all unfolded today and has the same Good 3 forecast as well. The step-up to the mile looks ideal for her now as Loy sticks with her for this assignment. In from an opening quote of $19 yesterday, the four-year-old is nicely drawn in gate six and maps to settle better than mid-field. Avoiding any dramas in the run, she looks a serious player and is capable of giving this a shake at odds.