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Raceday focus: Ballina preview, best bets, and inside mail

Local trainer Stephen Lee is ready to reap the rewards of a new beachside stable and has his sights on hometrack success on Sunday.

Stephen Lee has a couple of good chances at Ballina on Sunday. Picture: Supplied
Stephen Lee has a couple of good chances at Ballina on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

Trainer Stephen Lee is always getting consistent results with his horses, but a recent purchase can take the astute horseman to a new level.

While still maintaining his stables adjacent to the Ballina racecourse, Lee bought a 60-acre property that is just a short stroll to the beach which he believes will perfectly compliment his training operation.

“I bought the property about four months ago and spent the first three months setting it up with fences, yards and stable,” Lee said.

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Racehorse trainer Stephen Lee sends his horses to the beach from his new property in South Ballina. Picture: Supplied
Racehorse trainer Stephen Lee sends his horses to the beach from his new property in South Ballina. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve had horses there for about a month now and they are loving it. I’m seeing the benefits from it already.

“The farm has nine yards with stables plus another seven day yards and 15 stables.

“We are 400 metres from the beach so they walk down there and there is nine miles of sand they can work on.

“It a beautiful, quiet place and once they come back from the beach, they go in the yards and really love it.

“Having the stables on the track and the farm will really complement each other and hopefully I can attract some new horses and clients to the stable.”

On Sunday, Lee saddles up four runners across three races and is expecting all horses to acquit themselves very well.

Three-year-old filly Byron Eyes has placed fourth in each of her three starts to date but Lee has been more than happy with her performances and the 4kg claim of Jai Williams is a big positive.

“I think the three maidens she has been in were very tough races,” he said.

“She is coming back a little in grade on Sunday. This doesn’t appear to be as strong as those races and she should be very competitive.

“I think the 1300m will suit her really well and the little bit of weight relief she is getting will help.

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“I just thought this looked a good race for her to get her maiden win before I send her out for a spell.”

Toots Is Tops was rewarded for her recent handy efforts with a win at Murwillumbah last time out.

It was only a three-horse field but the two behind her do go well and she is a chance of going back-to-back.

“She is going up in weight and benchmark points but we have claimed on her with Jai Williams, so we’ll see how she goes.

“I would have liked to have seen a 1600 metre race for her but if it does happen to rain, it might be like a mile.

“She got through the wet the other week quite well so it certainly wouldn’t hurt her chances.”

Lee also has two first starters in the opening event, Forked Tongue and No Rules, and expects them to run well.

“I know their barrier trial form doesn’t look that great, but I don’t test them out in trials,” he said.

“I think they will run better than their trial form suggests.”

ADAM’S SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 5, No.1 STAR MAGNUM

The Matt Dunn-trained gelding is the class horse of the field and despite his big weight, will prove hard to beat. Big win at Lismore three runs back and will appreciate the drop in grade.

NEXT BEST

Race 3, No.3 MAJESTIC RAPTURE

Made a sustained run out wide from the 700m to score a smart win at Murwillumbah last time out. Back slightly in trio but can go back-to-back

VALUE BET

Race 6, No.9 NOTEABLY

Found her best form last start a handy win at Lismore. Drawn to get a nice run and looks a good each-way chance.

QUADDIE

Race 3: 1, 2, 3

Race 4: 2, 5, 6

Race 5: 1, 3

Race 6: 1, 5, 9, 10

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Top Northern Rivers hoop Matthew McGuren has a quality book of rides and looks tough to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

Jockey Matthew McGuren looks set for a big day at Ballina on Sunday. Picture: Greg Irvine, Magic Millions
Jockey Matthew McGuren looks set for a big day at Ballina on Sunday. Picture: Greg Irvine, Magic Millions

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR BALLINA

RACE 1:

Queensland four-year-old Beau Flyer makes his debut here after a couple of handy barrier trials in his home state. Found the line nicely after a shake up in the straight when second to Conquering Dreams in his latest heat at Sunshine Coast on December 14. Drawn to get the right run. Zenia was held up on straightening when last of six at Lismore at her most recent start over 1210m. Held up when fourth to Our Mirage here on November 23. With better luck, will be right in the finish. Coal Fire has trialled well on both occasions and ready to step up on debut. If Any blundered at the start when in the market at Murwillumbah first-up. Give her another chance here.

Bet: Beau Flyer to win

RACE 2:

Locally trained filly Byron Eyes has been good in each of her three starts finishing just behind the placegetters. Battled away to be beaten two lengths by Pretty Devine in a stronger race than this at Lismore last start. Argontil was caught wide without cover when runner-up to Newitt at Coffs Harbour two weeks ago. She won’t be far away again. Lucky Rascal was held up near the 200m when fourth at Murwillumbah last time out. Will be thereabouts at the finish. Beau Flyer has also accepted here and will be very competitive.

Bet: Byron Eyes to win

RACE 3:

Majestic Rapture showed the benefit of his first-up run here at Ballina with a solid length and a half win at Murwillumbah on December 7 despite blundering at the start. Should find himself a nice spot from the gate and can go back-to-back. Brave Nick was hampered near the 200m and had a poor recovery when eight here at Ballina when resuming on November 1. Scored an impressive five and a half length win in his maiden at Grafton on April 22 before a second at Murwillumbah soon after. Has claims on that form. Tim’s Lane came from well back for a half-length third to Endangered Species at Lismore on December 17. 4. Enterprise Electra is coming off a win at Esk last weekend.

Bet: Majestic Rapture to win

Trainer Ethan Ensby prepares Majestic Rapture who is looking to go back-to-back at Ballina on Sunday.
Trainer Ethan Ensby prepares Majestic Rapture who is looking to go back-to-back at Ballina on Sunday.

RACE 4:

Local mare Toots On Top battled on gamely to score a narrow win from Vantastic in a Benchmark 66 at Murwillumbah on December 7. Just behind the placegetters in two previous runs. Down in grade and drawn to settle forward again. King Farouk had to be eased in the run when fifth to Swanston in higher grade at Grafton on November 28. Scored a narrow win in this grade at Lismore two starts earlier. Cutting Loose scored a good win from I’m Gunna Cashew at Grafton on November 28 before a fourth to Sawtell at Coffs Harbour last time out. Looks a chance again. Emshalky will appreciate a drop in grade from her recent starts and won’t be far away at the finish.

Bet: Toots On Top each-way

RACE 5:

Star Magnum is the class horse of the field and looks hard to beat despite his big weight. Led all-the-way at Lismore in October before a close second at the same course and distance three weeks later. Fair effort when fifth to Deference in a Class 3 at Ipswich last time out. Drops back to a Class 2 here and gets a 2kg claim for Jasper Franklin. Modesto struck interference at the start when down the track when resuming from a spell at the Gold Coast. Form last preparation was very good including a smart Gold Coast win in August. Dublin De Quo followed two solid fourth placings back from a spell at Ipswich and Eagle Farm with a narrow win Rippin’ Ready in a Benchmark 60 at Kilcoy. Will be right in the finish again. Bride Of Vengeance is back in grade and worth including in the multiples.

Bet: Star Magnum to win

RACE 6:

Noteably has mixed her form a little of late but was good winning from Satine at Lismore on December 17. Good effort when third to Cutting Loose at Grafton two starts earlier. Drawn to get the right run and can make it two in a row. Picton was held up near the 600m before proving too good for Old Timing Man in a Benchmark 58 over 1301m at Lismore last start, December 17. A major player again despite the wide gate. Devine Factor resumes from a spell for a new stable. Won a Lismore barrier trial on December 17. Prior to her spell, she was good when fourth in consecutive starts at Grafton and the Sunshine Coast during the winter. Fu Hao produced a better effort last start when a half-length second to Sawtell at Coffs Harbour, December 11. Include in the multiples.

Bet: Notably each-way

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/raceday-focus-ballina-preview-best-bets-and-inside-mail/news-story/c7223a8b371371f07f317aa4c6d8e71a