Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s $200 betting strategy for Ballarat

Form analyst Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for the Ballarat Cup meeting on Saturday.

News Corp form analyst Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for the Ballarat Cup meeting on Saturday.

■■■■■

FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY

RACE 2: EMERGING STARS FINAL PLATE (1400m)

$25 each-way DUNORI (6) at $7.50/$2.10

Led on debut, track and distance, but tired late to run third – 1½ lengths behind Somewhere, who has franked the form since with an eye-catching third in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) last Saturday. Dunori should take great fitness and experience benefit from the 1400m debut. Favourite DREAM ALL DAY (3) bolted in a same track and distance maiden last start by three and must respect the short quote.

RACE 4: VOBIS GOLD EUREKA STOCKADE PLATE (1200m)

$25 each-way MIRAVAL ROSE (7) $5.50/$1.95

Nice return in the Listed Village Stakes (1100m) but got tired the last little bit to run third, beaten a length. Miraval Rose has placed second-up previously but looks primed to strike here – weather dependent. The four-year-old Grunt mare has been runner-up twice at 1200m previously, including the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes last year. MISS ROUMBINI (3) and PHARARI (4) the obvious threats on Saturday.

Kin's tactics hold strong and gets @jamieleekah07 on the board!@JamesCummings88 form continues 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Xw1GPEgluj

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 16, 2024

RACE 5: BENCHMARK 78 McKELLAR MILE (1600m)

$50 win LITTLE JACK (8) at $4.80

Built a nice record, won four of nine and runner-up three times. Great effort first-up, loomed to win but found one better in Regal Vow. Little Jack has won and placed second before and much better suited at 1600m. Performed on wet and dry surfaces so ticks an important box there with some uncertainty around weather. Drawn to be prominent and hardest to beat. Mindful of imported stayer DEAKIN (2), well performed in Ireland and kept safe in the market.

RACE 9: LISTED BALLARAT CUP (1600m)

$25 each-way FUTURE HISTORY (1) at $6/$2.40

Racing in great heart and poised to win again despite an awkward draw. Future History won the JRA Cup (2040m) at The Valley two starts back and then finished fourth in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. A repeat of either performance would be more than good enough to win this race. Mindful of Cranbourne Cup winner GLOBE (5), lightly raced and very much on an upward trajectory, and AIR ASSAULT (7).

QUADZILLA

LEG 1 – RACE 7

MRS CHRISSIE (9) has won three of five first-up starts and looks hard to hold out again. KATSU (4) is better than recent performances would suggest. Luckless first-up and then on the wrong part of the track second-up. A rebound would not surprise. JOYFUL FORTUNE (1) the class sprinter in the field but first-up after two years would be a mighty training effort. Kept safe in the market and must include.

1ST LEG: 1, 4, 9

LEG 2 – RACE 8

RUAKAKA RAIDER (17) is chasing a hat-trick and worthy contender to keep the streak alive despite a wide barrier. Showed grit to win at Sale and Caulfield the past two starts. SAVOIR FAIRE (7) got the job done with authority at Cranbourne last start, no reason why he cannot repeat the dose. Include BOLD SOUL (1), won second-up last campaign and placed previously. INDEPENDENT ROAD (2) won on the card last year, could he bob up again?

2ND LEG: 1, 2, 7, 17

Ruakaka Raider storms up the inside to take the first at Caulfield! 💨@DanielStack33 for Cindy Alderson pic.twitter.com/Ywh1guvpVZ

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 16, 2024

LEG 3 – RACE 9

FUTURE HISTORY (1) has drawn poorly but racing in great heart and cannot overlook the recent 2000m form, including fourth in the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington. Cranbourne Cup winner GLOBE (5) the horse they all need to get past potentially, first time at the trip but should be right in the gelding’s sweet spot. BERKELEY SQUARE (3) would be a popular local victory for trainer Dan O’Sullivan. Include AIR ASSAULT (7) and POISON CHALICE (16). Hot race.

3RD LEG: 1, 3, 5, 7, 16

LEG 4 – RACE 10

BRAZEN LADY (7) looked a winning chance last start at Cranbourne but not quite able to go with Wings Of Song. Gets chance to go one better. Expected a bit more from THE OPEN (5) first-up as form last campaign was very good. Up in distance, quick back-up and bigger track helpful. IS IT ME (8) ready to peak third-up but another likely type cruelled by a wide barrier. Could it be the place to be late on the card with a bit of rain around?

4TH LEG: 5, 7, 8

COST $100 FOR 55%

SKINNY QUADDIE

Start with KATSU (4) and MRS CHRISSIE (9). In the second leg take INDEPENDENT ROAD (2), SAVOIR FAIRE (7) and RUAKAKA RAIDER (17). In the third leg take FUTURE HISTORY (1), BERKELEY SQUARE (3) and GLOBE (5). Come home with THE OPEN (5) and IS IT ME (8).

1ST LEG: 4, 9

2ND LEG: 2, 7, 17

3RD LEG: 1, 3, 5

4TH LEG: 5, 8

COST $100 FOR 277%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s $200 betting strategy for Ballarat