Ballina tips: Unlucky when resuming at his last two campaigns, The Maxinator is ready to set the record straight

Circumstances have gone against The Maxinator when resuming at his last two preparations but a long range plan can come to fruition for the Fleur Blanch-trained gelding at Ballina.

The Maxinator can kick off his campaign on a winning note at Ballina. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Fleur Blanch carefully plotted a path for her capable gelding The Maxinator to score a first-up win at his last two preparations only for things to go pear-shaped at the last minute.

She hopes it’s a case of third time lucky for The Maxinator when he resumes in the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1300m) with Anthony Allen on board.

“I’m super keen on The Maxinator. He races very well fresh,” Blanch said.

“He was unlucky first-up last preparation, I had him all set to win in a Benchmark 66 over 1300m at Coffs Harbour and the meeting got transferred to Grafton and distance reduced to 1195m.

“He was flying down the outside and got beaten half a length running fifth.

“Even his first-up run the preparation before, Anthony ran third on him after dropping his whip at the 300m. He should have just about won that day too.”

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The Maxinator fought back on the inside under @JoshuaParr8 to take out race 3 from @gosford_races for @mark_mnracing 💪 pic.twitter.com/qZsI1U63Oj

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 9, 2021

The six-year-old hasn’t raced since his tenth behind Tectonic Plate at Ballina back on June 30.

While he was beaten nearly eight lengths that day, Blanch said saw merit in his performance as the track was breaking up badly and he should have even further away from the winner but he kept trying.

His other two runs at Ballina has netted a third over 1250m and a win over 1300m late last year.

“We picked out this race about a month ago and he has been geared towards it. He races really well at the track and a Soft 5 or 6, it would be perfect for him,” she said.

“His work has been outstanding and I’m really excited to see him run first-up.

“I’m even happy with the draw. He gets back and needs room to make his run because he starts to improve quite quickly.”

In the same race, Blanch saddles up new recruit Prancing With Fire, a former Victorian who heads to the Northern Rivers with solid form.

“She is a half to a mare I trained called Nanakorobi Yaoki who I only just retired in June,” Blanch said.

“She had consistent form in Victoria with a couple of wins and six placings plus a couple of fourths as well from just 13 starts. He has done a pretty good job.

“She races well fresh and I believe she will be competitive in this race also.”

A nervous watch for favourite backers but Prancing With Fire salutes at $1.20 😅@ANobletRacing@JohnnyA_24pic.twitter.com/JPPa6X3BP0

— Racing.com (@Racing) February 22, 2024

Blanch saddles up two other runners on the day with Spoiler in the Maiden Plate (1000m) and Shoot The Diva in the Maiden Handicap (1300m) with Luke Rolls to ride the pair.

Spoiler had trialled very well prior to her two starts as a two-year-old where she finished down the track.

Blanch feels she has come back better for the experience and expects her to run a cheeky race first-up.

“I don’t think leading with her was a good idea in hindsight but you have to try it with a two-year-old who has speed like her,” she said.

“She would go forward and once she got too far in front, she would start to wait for the others.

“Hopefully we can take a sit with her this weekend and I have added blinkers which has helped her concentrate in her work.

“Also, all of her trial form has been on soft tracks.”

Shoot The Diva has been unplaced in her seven starts but was hindered by wet tracks with her best run a fifth at Lismore on a soft 5 that was drying out.

“I’m really happy with her and she will like a tighter track like Ballina, it’s just whether the track is dry enough for her,” she said.

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 2 No. 2: Icon Of Style

Dropped back in trip after failing over 2200m with a huge all-the-way win last start. Even better suited over 1590m here.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No. 6: King’s Gold

Resumed with a close third to Lady Tulessa at level weights. Meets her 3.5kg better this time.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No. 7: The Maxinator

Has a good first-up record that could include two wins with just an ounce of luck. Races well here and can start this prep with a win.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1, 2, 6, 12

Race 5: 4, 11, 14

Race 6: 1, 6, 7

Race 7: 1, 5, 7, 8

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Apprentice Emily Farr has ridden seven winner from 46 rides and is a good chance of adding another two to her tally.

INSIDE MAIL – BALLINA

RACE 1

Viking Blood gets his chance to break through after placing at his last five starts. Was off the bit midrace before picking up and then being held up on heels when third to Woodland Wonder at Grafton last start. Max ‘O’ Max comes out of the same race where he raced behind the leader and finished fourth. Was narrowly beaten at Grafton two starts earlier. Arteluce will find this easier than his last run at Eagle Farm. Has claims on his Warwick third three runs back.

Bet: Viking Blood to win

RACE 2

Icon Of Style was very good winning over 1710m at Grafton on Aug 20 but she didn’t stay the 2200m there 11 days later. Dropped back to 1370 and blitzed her rivals by nearly seven lengths last start and will take beating again. In The Blink will appreciate a drop back in class from her recent assignments in a Bm62 at Ipswich and a Class 3 at Eagle Farm. Handles it wet. Octavio is on a quick back-up from his seventh to Ottoman Empire at Grafton on Tuesday. Came from near last and made ground out wide.

Bet: Icon Of Style to win

It's Lady Tulessa through the middle at Grafton to give Claire Ramsbotham a race-to-race double 🙌@clarenceriverjcpic.twitter.com/O5WdRwalw1

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 9, 2024

RACE 3

King’s Gold resumed over 1015m at Grafton for a new stable where she led before finishing a three-quarter length third behind Lady Tulessa and De Forza. She will take improvement from the run and meets the winner 3.5kg better. Single Touch was also having his first start for a new stable when third behind My Mum’s Toyboy over 1106m at Grafton. Was a fourth at his only run here after coming from back in the field. Lady Tulessa went back-to-back at Grafton in Bm58s before a fourth to Adamdeeant in the Lightning Bend at Bowraville.

Bet: King’s Gold each-way

RACE 4

I’m Number One is building towards his maiden win. Was third to Press yes over 1250m before being beaten a noise by Miss Uchitel over 1320m at Lismore. Had to drop back to 1181m at Grafton last start. Better suited back up to 1300m here. Selfless Valour was a handy third to Altercation on debut at Tuncurry before a third and fourth at Coffs Harbour at his next two starts. Gets the winkers on for the first time. No Ragrets was held up on heels around the bend when fifth behind Miss Uchitel at Lismore last start.

Bet: I’m Number One to win

RACE 5

Discotheque just missed winning his maiden here at Ballina in March when beaten a head by Super Impressive who won his next two as well. Discotheque will take improvement from his first-up third at Ipswich on Sept 19 where he lost a plate. Got Gumption is a debutant by Tassort. A little slow away and settled last of the five on the fence before finishing a nose second in his Gold Coast trial on Sept 10. Spoiler wasn’t suited leading in both runs of her first campaign. Will be better for the experience this time in and has trialled well on soft ground.

Bet: Discotheque to win

The fav Catalan Comet ☄️ gets the cash at @IpswichTurfClub with @GCartwright93 in the saddle for Lindsay Gough! pic.twitter.com/UrHtHDnzrK

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 19, 2024

RACE 6

Pressalong raced midfield before sailing down the middle of the track to score a smart length and a half win from Dare To Love on debut at Casino on Aug 10. Trapped three-wide without cover when sixth to Daimyo at Grafton on Sept 23. Drawn well and can bounce back. Zelgaria raced wide midfield throughout and battled away when eighth at Eagle Farm first-up. Drawn better and is a second-up winner. Chockablock has been fairly consistent in a long campaign with just three unplaced runs from nine starts.

Bet: Pressalong each-way

RACE 7

The Maxinator has placed in four of his seven first-up runs but was unlucky not to have won two of those to start his last two campaigns. Is a winner at this track, loves the sting out of the ground and drops in grade of his last two runs. His new stablemate Prancing With Fire had solid form in Victoria with two wins including her last run at Stawell over 1607m as well as six placings from 13 starts. Will be better suited over a little further but she has placed over 1200m first-up. Billy’s Bro will take improvement from his first-up second over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast. Is a second-up winner.

Bet: The Maxinator each-way