By Adam Hamilton
KIWI star Smolda has the draw to challenge to favouritism in Saturday night’s $120,000 Group 1 Ballarat Cup (2710m).
The Purdon/Rasmussen-trained star snared gate five, while his major rival – newly-crowned Inter Dominion champ Lennytheshark – has the back row (gate nine.
The Aussie TAB quickly opened Lennytheshark a slight favourite at $2.40 from Smolda at $2.60.
Lennytheshark’s trainer David Aiken certainly wasn’t fazed by the back row.
“It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “He starts from two-out on the back row and should follow through well.
“He trialled really well at Kilmore last week and I think he’s very close to his top going into this race.”
Smolda heads a very strong Kiwi flavour to the Cup.
The others are Mossdale Connor (gate four), Franco Nelson at his first run for new trainer Anthony Butt (seven).
Hardest hit by the draw is in-form NSW raider Bling It On, who will start from wide on the back row (gate 12).
Other runners of note are Perth Inter Dominion consolation winner Major Crocker (gate three) and last year’s upset Ballarat Cup winner Im Corzin Terror (eight).
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BUZZ Kiwi three-year-old Lazarus stifles betting despite drawing the back row in the first of three Victoria Derby heats at Ballarat.
The Purdon/Rasmussen-trained pacer will start from gate nine (two out on the back row) in what looks the strongest heat.
The Aussie TAB has still opened him $1.25 on the strength of his awesome Kiwi form this term.
His main rivals include: Motu Gatecrasher (one), Zee Dana (three), Born To Rocknroll (five) and Ideal Tyson (seven).
The second heat is open with last-start SA Derby winner Brallos Pass a $2.50 favourite from gate nine.
Emma Stewart’s exciting Kingofthestars looks the leader and is a $1.60 favourite in heat three.
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NEW Zealand’s best trotter Monbet faces a serious challenge in the first heat of the Australasian Trotting Championship at Ballarat.
The Greg Hope-trained four-year-old is the lone 20m backmarker in the 2710m race and will be challenged for favouritism by the lightly-raced but immensely exciting Arboe.
The Aussie TAB has $1.70 Monbet and $2.25 Arboe, who will start from barrier four on the front mark.
The three key runners in the second heat are: Claudys Princess ($3.40, barrier three), One Over Da Moon ($3, eight) and Habibti ($3.50, 10).
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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