Best bets and value play for Ballarat races Thursday

Form expert Brad Waters analyses Thursday’s Ballarat meeting, presenting his best bets, value selection and jockey to follow.

Racenet form analyst Brad Waters gives his best bets and value play for Thursday's Ballarat meeting.

News Corp form analyst Brad Waters looks at Thursday’s meeting at Ballarat.

PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

BEST BET

FISHERMAN’S BEACH (Race 7 No.3): The import was far too good when resuming at Pakenham last month. He can handle a step up in class with extra fitness under his belt.

NEXT BEST

WEIGHTLESS (Race 4 No.11): Weightless has raced honestly behind promising types at her last two outings. She’s hard-fit and drawn to have every chance.

COMMANDS SUCCESS (Race 5 No.1): The sprinter was unlucky at Pakenham before going down narrowly at Wagga last time. He drops in class and looks over the odds.

VALUE BET

ORAQUA (Race 2 No.11): The Chris Waller-trained galloper improved second-up when a close second off a wide run at Geelong. No reason he won’t go as well at Ballarat.

LAY OF THE DAY

RIVKIN (Race 5 No.13): Despite being number 13, Rivkin will carry the 60kg top weight and is likely to give a start in difficult conditions. He faces a tricky task.

THE JOCKEY

THOMAS STOCKDALE

Jockey Thomas Stockdale heads to Ballarat for six rides on Thursday. SMOTHER (Race 2 No.6 – $9.50), DELICATE LADY (Race 3 No.5 – $1.80), OLIVE BAGUETTE (Race 6 No.4 – $7), FISHERMAN’S BEACH (Race 7 No.3 – $2.70), BELLE INFERNO (Race 8 No.10 – $17), TOURNELLE (Race 9 No.8 – $7).

Originally published as Best bets and value play for Ballarat races Thursday