| What | Moonee Valley Races |
| Where | Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 |
| When | Sunday, February 19, 2023 |
| First Race | 1:20pm AEDT |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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For the first time in 2023, racing heads to the Ballarat Turf Club for a competitive eight-race program this Sunday afternoon. Perfect conditions are set to greet punters and competitors on the weekend with the track currently rated a Good 4, while the rail comes out 3m the entire circuit for the card. Action out of Ballarat kicks off at 1:20pm AEDT.
Best Bet at Ballarat: Falcon Of Malta
Falcon Of Malta from the Mike Moroney barn ran into the previously Group 1-placed Queen Air on debut at Warrnambool on February 1 and showed plenty to suggest he would be winning at start two. Despite the class of Queen Air prevailing, our bloke put close to four-lengths on his closest rival back in third and with this maiden event being sensationally easier, he looks a clear best bet of the day. He draws to a gain a perfect run in transit around midfield with cover under Fred Kersley. If Falcon Of Malta replicates what we saw on debut, then the 1600m second-up looks ideal and he should prove too good for maiden company.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#3 Falcon Of Malta (7)
3yo Gelding | T: Mike Moroney | J: Fred Kersley (58kg)
$2.80 with Bet365
Next Best at Ballarat: Chihuly
The Greg Eurell-trained Chihuly looks primed to breakthrough for his maiden victory when he steps up to the 2000m on Sunday at his fourth career start. The three-year-old gelding has been impressive at his last two starts at Mornington and then again at Pakenham and should get his chance on Sunday if good enough. He was slowly away from the barriers on January 25 at Pakenham and made up substantial ground to go down by under a length to Patrick. He was without a doubt doing his best work late over 1600m, so the 2000m fourth-up looks ideal. Blaike McDougall will have this bloke settled at the rear throughout, but once asked to quicken, we anticipate Chihuly will prove too hard to hold out for his rivals.
Next Best
Race 1 – 
#6 Chihuly (12)
3yo Gelding | T: Greg Eurell | J: Blaike McDougall (59kg)
$3 with Palmerbet
Best Value at Ballarat: Awol
With a bit of luck we have built a bank early on in the card and we can bow out on a winning note when Awol looks to bounce back from a poor showing at Pakenham last time out. The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained commodity was beaten two lengths in a rather disappointing display, but considering her maiden win at Warrnambool the start prior, she looks a great each-way play in the final race of the day. The son of Sweynesse gets the blinkers on for the first time and with John Allen sticking on board, we’re hopeful that Awol will hold a prominent spot throughout and when asked for an effort in the home straight he can fend off his rivals and salute at a big price with online bookmakers.
Best Value
Race 8 – 
#8 Awol (7)
3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: John Allen (58.5kg)
$15 with Betfair
Sunday quaddie tips for Ballarat
Ballarat quadrella selections
Sunday, February 19, 2023
- 1-3-7
- 2-3-6
- 1-4-8-9
- 4-5-6-8-13
Investment: $180 for 100%
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