Best bets and value play for Thursday’s Ballarat races

An Archie Alexander-trained gelding can put aside to luckless runs while a smart type from the Andrew Noblet camp can post a first-up win at Ballarat on Thursday.

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

BEST BET

HOKKAIDO (Race 6 No.3 - $5)

Hokkaido hasn’t had much luck but has performed well in both runs back from a spell. He’s simply ready to win on Thursday.

NEXT BEST

MR TICKLES (Race 5 No.2 - $4.60)

Was held up before chasing well at Mornington last time. He’s hard-fit for this and is racing well over the 1000m trip.

EASY DUN (Race 8 No.15 - $3.90)

Easy Dun returns after a solid Queensland campaign on Thursday. He’s a horse capable of winning harder races and will be hard to beat if he gets a run.

VALUE BET

PEAKY RIDGE (Race 7 No.9 - $13)

Peaky Ridge has steadily built fitness with three runs this time in and indicated the step to 2600m will be perfect at Ballarat.

THE JOCKEY

JOHN ALLEN

Jockey John Allen heads to Ballarat for seven rides on Thursday. KICKING KING (Race 1 No.2 - $23), GUNADO (Race 2 No.2 - $17), OCOTILLO (Race 3 No.5 - $8), SCREAM (Race 5 No.6 - $19), BELLE INFERNO (Race 6 No.12 - $11), CHRISTMAS (Race 7 No.2 - $12), EASY DUN (Race 8 No.15 - $3.90) or THE SHAPER (Race 8 No.8 - $4.50).

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