Ballina Tips 6/12/2022
Our form expert provides Ballina tips for today’s horse racing at Ballina Racecourse and gives his best bets.
BEST BET 🏆
Race 6: No.2 WHATTHA ($1.75 with Palmerbet)
The John Smerdon-trained WHATTHA took just two starts to learn what it’s all about and a repeat of his efforts at Murwillumbah should see him take this event out, comfortably. Coming off an unplaced debut run, the Stratum Star youngster lined-up in an 1100m Maiden at Murwillumbah and simply did a ‘road runner’ on them, putting more than eight lengths on the field with Jag Guthmann-Chester in the saddle. He ran that trip out, 1.1 lengths slower than benchmark, the best in this line-up by 3 lengths while (understandably) recording the fastest final 800m to 200m sectionals for the race. Guthmann-Chester sticks with him today and going on that last-start effort, it will take a smart one here to finish in front of him over the line.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 1: No.9 CHICKERARTIE ($6.50 with Palmerbet)
Local galloper CHICKERARTIE has returned to the track with a boom and third-up today looks right in the mix at good odds. Last start, the Flying Artie mare came off a first-up win when she stepped-up to Class 2 grade and beat all but one home in that 1000m event. She ran a personal best that day, covering the trip, 4.3 lengths slower than benchmark, still the best last-start effort in this field. Tegan Harrison was aboard for both of those efforts which were run on this track. Ideally drawn in gate two, she maps to settle mid-field with cover and has Harrison sticking with her today. Dropping back in grade here, a trouble-free run should see her very hard to beat in this company.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 4: No.5 MYCHYNA ($5.50 with Neds)
Another local galloper here is MYCHYNA who has found the podium three times this preparation and down in grade today, looks a serious chance of bringing-up win number three. Last start, the four-year-old mare came off a disappointing run (finishing unplaced) when she stepped-up to BM66 company and wasn’t disgraced when taking home third prize. She sat outside the leader with the speed on and just couldn’t hold off the challengers that day. She a ran a new personal best, covering the 1400m trip, 4.1 lengths slower than benchmark, second-best to Gold Lunar (who finished unplaced last start, beaten five lengths and carries top weight here). In from $8 overnight, Luke Dittman has his first ride on the mare today and down in grade, she looks a genuine contender in this contest.