2021 Ballarat Cup Race Details

Race 8 at Ballarat on Saturday 20th November 2021.

The Ballarat Cup is a 2000 metre open handicap race run by the Ballarat Turf Club in November. It is held at Ballarat at the tail end of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Ballarat Cup page.

Ballarat Cup 2021 Preview

Track: Soft Weather: Shower or two

There are sixteen acceptors plus four emergencies for the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup.  Ciaron Maher & David Eustace lead the way for the trainers with four runners –  Chris Waller has three, Andrew Noblet and team Hayes have two.  Five of these had their last start in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes, three ran in the Geelong Cup and three others ran in the Furphy Plate.

The early favourite in the betting is Thought Of That.  He has been dominant winning his last three starts and stays right down in the weights for this.  Only Words is one of four last start winners in the race.  Zayydani surged late to win the Matriarch and goes well for Luke Nolan. Foxy Frida has finished in the top two at nine of her eleven starts and loves soft ground.  Skyman is never far away.  Ghodeleine won the Moe Cup last month.  Defibrillate was second in this race two years ago while Charleise draws perfectly for Jye McNeil. The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

Ballarat Cup Runner by Runner

1. Yonkers

Waller galloper who has nine wins and ten placings from thirty two starts.  He won the Group 2 Shannon first up at a big price.  Safely held at his last two.  Has Oliver but also has plenty of weight.

2. Defibrillate

Was second in this race in 2019.  Has been given a month between runs after finishing seventh in the Geelong Cup.  Has been racing well below his best recently but getting back onto soft ground could help him turn things around.

3. Hang Man

This eight year old gelding won the Group 3 Easter Cup over this distance earlier in the year.  Was okay against the pattern last start and is fitter here third up. Consider for multiples.

4. In A Twinkling

Ex Kiwi now with Lindsey Smith.  Had his first run in Australia last week in the Cranbourne Cup and worked home fairly solidly from the back there.  Out to 2000m suits.  Chance at a big price.

5. Quantum Mechanic

Was Group 1 placed against the mares at Randwick in April.  Blocked for a run in the Toorak two starts ago then charged to the line once clear.  Wet track is no issues however is having first try at the distance so that is an unknown.  Consider for multiples.

6. Zayydani

Talented mare who won the Matriarch last start.  Was good in the Coongy prior.  Can settle closer here from barrier one in a race that lacks speed.  Genuine each way chance.

7. Princess Jenni

Daughter of High Chaparral trained by Symon Wilde.  Draws well but is hard to have off last start.

8. Double You Tee

Was third behind Thought Of That at Moonee Valley last start.  Has trialled in between runs after being a late scratching in the Kyneton Cup due to the down grade of the track.  Needs to lift.

9. Vanna Girl

Was fifth in the Matriarch last start.  Fitter again fourth up.  Consider for multiples.

10. Rostropovich

Gets blinkers for the first time and a tounge tie but has been safely held at his last two.  Prefer others.

11. Thought Of That

Maher & Eustace galloper who has returned to form in recent times winning three in a row.  Was dominant leading all the way to win by 2.75 lengths at Moonee Valley last start and should get an uncontested lead again here.  Keeps Linda Meech.  Rates highly.

12. Charleise

Talented mare who hasn’t been far away in her four runs this prep.  Drawn well in barrier 11 and handles all conditions.  Each way chance.

13. Only Words

Was dominant winning a mares set weights and penalties race at Moonee Valley last start. Is unbeaten at the distance and keeps Prebble.  One of the chances.

14. Ghodeleine

Has had a terrific prep.  Won the Moe Cup two starts ago, then battled on okay in the Matriarch off a wide run last start.  Is there anything left in the tank?

15. Skyman

Six year old gelding who has been racing well with out winning this prep.  Should get a soft run in behind the speed from barrier three here.  Place chance.

16. Foxy Frida

Second of the Andrew Noblet gallopers.  She has been excellent in her three runs back from a spell charging to the line in all of them.  Loves soft conditions and has the advantage of racing on her home track.  Expecting her to run well.

17. Flash Aah – 1st EMERG

Queenslander that was seventh in a benchmark 90 at Flemington on Oaks Day.  Can’t recommend off that.

18. Pappalino -2nd EMERG

Ex European who has shown glimpses of talent since arriving in Australia.  All four starts on Australian soil have been on good tracks but could improve significantly getting onto soft ground.  Has finished in the top three eight out of ten starts on rain affected going.  Roughie with a chance!

19. Bonvicini – 3rd EMERG (SCRATCHED)

This Maher & Eustace mare has improved with every run this prep.  Was fourth in the Matriarch last start.  Keeps McNeil.  Has a chance if she gets a run.

20. Bartholomeu Dias – 4th EMERG

Needs four scratching’s to get a run.  Was second in the Benalla Cup two starts ago but not sure he is going well enough.

Ballarat Cup 2021 Tips

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
Lewis’ Tips
11. Thought Of That 11. Thought Of That
13. Only Words 16. Foxy Frida
15. Skyman 4. In A Twinkling
6. Zayydani 6. Zayydani

Previews for other races this week

2021 Ballarat Cup Final Results

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings:  3. Hang Man, 5. Quantum Mechanic, 10. Rostropovich, 13. Only Words, 19. Bonvicini.

Result Horse Margin
1st 6. Zayydani
2nd 1. Yonkers 0.1 length
3rd 9. Vanna Girl 0.2 length
4th 11. Thought Of That 0.95 length