Race-by-race preview and tips for Friday meeting at Ballina

Track Good 3 & rail out 5m from 1000m to 250m, Cutaway applies & True the remainder

Race 1

2. Zaindara is a lightly raced improver and ready to win again third-up in a moderate affair. Has stuck on okay in two runs back from a spell, and the fitter now will find this an easier assignment. 1. Patrioticintention is hard fit, bolted in his maiden from the front at Lismore two starts back, and drop in trip is a plus. 3. Manhattan Dress improves sharply second-up from a softer draw, while 4. Another Wish is a minor money candidate fourth-up.
How to play it: Zaindara to win

Racing returns to Ballina on Friday.Credit: Phil Carrick

Race 2

2. Southampton Flare is a well-bred four-year-old yet to place from five runs, but still a stand-out market watch resuming behind two improving trials, again for the strong Matthew Dunn stable. Wasn’t far away against tougher opposition in two winter runs either side of the border, and drawn to get cover in what is also an average lineup. 8. Australasia gets her chance to break through on a quick back-up after working home late second-up, and a stronger and more experienced jockey takes over. 3. Dance Gavin Dance is a first starter by Royal Symphony trained on the course, and has trialled okay. 9. Cosmic Fun is a filly by Cosmic Force on debut in blinkers from the inside draw. 6. Sol Filia is the best of the rest improving third-up in her first full prep.
How to play it: Southampton Flare to win

Race 3

7. Call To Courage is a progressive Gold Coast filly primed to make it two straight wins third-up. Didn’t finish it off when fresh before driving home the best from the trail to break through at Lismore. 1. Extreme Spirit is well-placed from the draw to nab an overdue second career win. Been competitive in deeper races over the border, and an important gear change has been made. 3. Aquatier was beaten out of sight last start at Eagle Farm, but over the odds, coming back to much easier company from a soft draw over a shorter trip. 6. Elronte is a lightly raced Gold Coast filly with plenty of early speed. 4. Darling Take Care also drops down a little in quality, and 8. Jidayubori, resuming with gear changes behind a soft trial, heads the rest.
How to play it: Call To Courage to win

Race 4

4. Avariella is a debutante filly by fashionable King’s Legacy who starts off two improving trials for an underrated Gold Coast stable in what is a very tricky maiden. Drawn to get cover, and at the value this shapes as an ideal starting journey. 1. Dubious Rose draws wide on debut for the Dunn yard, but has been good through the line in two trials, and market will be a big indicator. Stablemate 7. Joanjett is a third-start improver. 2. Sarah’s Sonnets getting the blinkers on for her second start, and 3. Steady On first-up for the new Beaudesert stable behind two improving trials, are also betting watches capable of finding the money; while 9. Navy Slippers is better placed from the inside draw after a fair debut on Boxing Day.
How to play it: Avieriella each way

Race 5

5. Poseidon’s Son is a lightly raced five-year-old from the Dunn camp ideally placed to pounce first-up since mid-winter. Bolted in a CL1 last prep before beaten narrowly in a strong CL3, then came off a break to hold his ground in a deeper Highway at Rosehill behind a talented winner. Given two trials, has a smart fresh record, and the blinkers coming off again is a further sign of stable confidence. 8. Kirra’s Sister emerges as the key threat from a leading local stable. Stuck on well from the front in a CL3 at Lismore, and has enough tactical speed to off-set a tricky barrier. 2. Boambee Beach is an honest sprinter around this level, resuming from the inside gate. Hasn’t publicly trialled, but still boasts a handy first-up record, and with any clear run will be in the finish. 1. Eagle Hawk Star is a locally-trained seven-year-old resuming behind two spaced trials, and has a fair fresh record. 7. Back On De Quo is a consistent home tracker who can run into the money shooting for a third win from his last four. 4. Immortality is another sparingly raced one trained on the course and resuming off two trials.
How to play it: Poseidon’s Son to win

Race 6

1. Mishani Reactor reloads off a four week freshen and soft trial, and can overcome the big weight. Won two straight before the let-up, the latest here against similar opposition, and drawn to get a trail right behind the speed. The one to beat in an open battle. 2. Jimmy Nails hasn’t been far away in his last two either side of the border, and has more to offer than a plain win record suggests. 4. Will It Snow needs to tuck in from a wide draw, but there was plenty to like about his third-up run at the Gold Coast, closing off late to beat all but the winner. 3. Mad Ana, a tough Qld mare deep into her prep, and 5. Born To Be Alive behind a last start win in a weaker race over the border, both go in trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Mishani Reactor to win

Race 7

4. Oval Office is a lightly raced improver bred to get further in a race cornered by Queensland-based visitors. Was only grabbed late first-up here in slightly weaker company, and fitter now he can claim a second win over more ground. 1. Flying Argento is a threat back in this class, fresh off a break and quiet trial. Took on much deeper races through spring, and drew to get an economical run back off the speed. 6. Mishani Suspect charged home to win at this track second-up, but tougher draw this time in a deeper race. 4. Thunderous wasn’t far away in a Gold Coast BM 58 two weeks back. 7. Gerry’s Pick is another each-way chance coming off a fourth-up win in lesser grade; while fellow border-hoppers 2. Explosive Power carrying a vital gear change; and 3. Call Out with a stronger jockey aboard; can both improve sharply second-up.
How to play it: Oval Office to win

Race 8

2. Spicy Wings is progressive enough, and well-placed to go back-to-back off a narrow maiden win at only his fourth start, despite drawing out. Versatile and at peak fitness, he finds a poor quality lineup for this level. Keep safe 1. Maple Door dropping in grade second-up. 10. Cowgirl Lilly responded to a change of tactics fourth-up, rushing home from well back to miss narrowly in a weaker race. 5. Giddy Gan’s Joy is hard fit, draws nicely, and has tackled stronger races on the Gold Coast. 4. Magic In Me is fit dropping in grade, and can figure in the exotics.
How to play it: Spicy Wings to win

BEST BETS
R3 7. CALL TO COURAGE
R5 5. POSEIDON’S SON
BEST VALUE
R7 4. OVAL OFFICE

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

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