Ballack Ready For Belated Win
Story By by Gary Crispe
Thursday, 16 October 2008: The Danny O'Brien-trained gelding has had a late start to his spring carnival after a long Brisbane winter campaign but after two runs back now looks ready to hit his straps.
During his last campaign it's worth noting Ballack was a third-up winner over this distance at Cranbourne, before returning to town to win again over the same journey at Moonee Valley.
He was then runner-up over 2000m at Flemington before finishing third when stepping up to 2500m for the first time.
O'Brien then sent him north where he raced in the group 3 Tatts Cup at Eagle Farm, finishing a narrow second but winning the race on protest over Fast Future.
He then tackled the Listed Caloundra Cup over 2400m and after settling well on the inside the saddle slipped on jockey Stephen Baster, finishing seventh behind Fast Future.
The gelding went for a spell before making his spring return over 1509m at Moonee Valley, running on strongly to finish sixth, beaten three lengths behind First Militia.
He then stepped up to 1720m at Flemington where he settled midfield on the inside before trying to get off the fence.
He did, but was held up for a run and finished seventh behind Jabal Tarik but should have finished closer.
Today he is fitter for the two runs back and steps up to a more suitable 2050m this time.
At the trip he has started seven times for three wins and two minors and looks well placed as he meets a field rated a couple of lengths easier.
Steven Arnold is aboard and he should be hard to hold out.
New Zealand stayer Capecover is coming back in journey for today's race but he does drop sharply in class after his latest effort in Sydney.
Prepared by Alexander Fieldes at Wanganui, the Cape Cross gelding has had three runs in Australia, kicking off with a win over a mile in the Listed Tokyo City Cup.
He then stepped up to this journey in the Listed JRA Cup at Moonee Valley where he was near last throughout before running on strongly to finish seventh, beaten 3.5 lengths, behind Cefalu.
Given few horses won from back in the field his run was good.
Last start, Fieldes headed to Sydney for the Group 1 The Metropolitan where he drew wide on the slow track.
After drifting back to second last and racing there throughout he ran on strongly again to finish seventh, beaten 6.8 lengths, behind Newport.
Today the task for Fieldes is getting the stayer back in journey.
He looks as though he won't have any problems with the class and meets a field rated almost half a dozen lengths easier.
He rises in weight as a result but looks hard to hold out if he can come back in journey.
That pair look the two class runners of the race but there are a host of fringe each-way chances outside them.
Doin'thehardyards has been in consistent form, including two wins and three placings from his last five starts.
The wins were over 2400m at Mornington and 2000m at Morphettville while the places included a third in the Ansett Classic and second last start in the Benalla Cup.
This race is only marginally tougher but he drops in weight, has drawn well, and should be thereabouts again.
Similarly, Savquaw has been consistent and looks nicely weighted and drawn as he steps up in journey.
Both Reggie and Daka's Gem are both fitter for two runs from a spell, finishing third and second respectively last start in the Briseis Cup.
They will both appreciate the longer journey.
Captious and Tayllaroo finished second and fourth respectively in Adelaide and will also do better this trip.
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