Ballarat Race 1 - Hertz Mdn Plate
ORCHID SKY (5) produced a fair effort on debut last time out when 5 lengths from the winner, who happens to be the Blue Diamond favourite Blue Sky, when fourth in the G3 Chairman's Stakes at Caulfield over 1000m. This is much easier than that and has race experience on most rivals here. TOLAGA BAY (7) has won her past two jumpouts, the latest in particularly impressive fashion when dominant on-pace. WHIMSY SMILE (2) also comes here off a jumpout win when he finished stylish to record a nice win. Obviously has talent and from the state's premier 2YO yard. EXPENSIVE TASTE (3) showed good early speed on debut and fought on well to hold third, beaten 4.5 lengths, over 1050m, which you'd think she'd have come on from. REGAL AMBITION (6) is a stablemate to WHIMSY SMILE and there was a lot to like about the way she rounded them up in her latest jumpout.
Jockey: Jake Duffy
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Two-year-old gelding by leading sire Lope De Vega out of Meu Amor. Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman has him ready for this with four recent trials prior to his debut today. Fitter for a jump-out on January 27 at Pakenham when finished sixth. In good hands, but jumpouts this time only fair so would need to see a betting move.
Last Starts 17 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/12 | 27/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Zac Spain | 0:47.77 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/5 | 20/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Emily Pozman | 0:49.50 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/4 | 23/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 600m | Luke Nolen | 0:39.92 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/7 | 09/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 600m | Luke Nolen | 0:35.65 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Will Gordon
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Colt by Wootton Bassett on debut. Won a jump-out at Pakenham on January 27. Trials have been good, so a big debut would not surprise.
Last Starts 17 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 27/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Ben Allen | 0:48.54 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 2/5 | 20/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Daniel Stackhouse | 0:49.50 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/5 | 25/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Daniel Stackhouse | 0:47.82 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/7 | 09/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 600m | Daniel Stackhouse | 0:35.65 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jett Stanley
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Was well-supported at debut, in a small field at Morphettville 2yo Hcp on January 31 over 1050m, 4.5 len behind Ole Go with 57kg at $3.10. Has race experience on her side, so improvement expected.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4 | 31/01/2026 | - | OPEN 2 | $65,000.00 | Morphettville | 1050m | Good 4 | Rochelle Milnes | 57kg | 1:01.10 | 2-2-3 | 1 |
| 4.3L | $3.10 |
| 1/6 | 09/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Luke Currie | 0:49.23 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/5 | 24/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Jett Stanley | 0:48.97 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Jack Hill
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Filly by Yes Yes Yes facing the starter for the first time. Fitter for a jump-out on January 27 at Pakenham when finished fourth. Whimsy Smile had her measure last jumpout, so happy to watch here.
Last Starts 17 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/10 | 27/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Emily Pozman | 0:48.54 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 6/7 | 13/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Luke Cartwright | 0:47.96 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/6 | 30/09/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Pakenham | 800m | Sebastian Galea | 0:49.42 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: John Allen
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Was at big odds at debut, eased back early on 4th of 7 at Caulfield in the G3 Chairman's Stk on January 31 over 1000m, 5 len behind Big Sky carrying 55kg at $41. Getting within 5 lengths of the Blue Diamond fav should be good enough to measure up here.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/7 | 31/01/2026 | - | G3 OPEN 2 | $201,600.00 | Caulfield | 1000m | Good 4 | Michael Dee | 55kg | 0:58.06 | 6-6-4 | 6 |
| 5.0L | $41.00 |
| 1/6 | 15/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Ballarat | 850m | John Allen | 0:55.63 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/5 | 07/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Avoca | 800m | Sarah Field | 0:50.87 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Lachlan Neindorf
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Two-year-old filly making debut by Palace Pier out of Dame Pattie. Purchased for AUD $ 230,000 (Magic Millions 2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sale). Won a jump-out at Werribee on February 6. Rounded them up nicely to win latest jumpout, so looks to have ability.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 06/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Werribee | 800m | Harry Coffey | 0:50.33 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/6 | 30/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Flemington | 800m | Jackson Radley | 0:46.91 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Liam Riordan
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Filly by Alabama Express making her first appearance. Won a Cranbourne jump-out on February 2. Winner of past two jumpouts, the latest in dominant style, so expected to hit the ground running.
Last Starts 11 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 02/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Craig Williams | 0:47.30 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/7 | 19/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Lachlan Neindorf | 0:48.67 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 4/5 | 03/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 800m | Liam Riordan | 0:47.40 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/7 | 20/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Cranbourne | 650m | Michael Dee | 0:38.30 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |
Jockey: Milos Bunjevac
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Filly by Victor Ludorum on debut. Runner-up in an Albury trial over 900m on February 5. Jumpouts have been handy, but bumps into some smart ones here.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 05/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Albury | 900m | Good | Brendan Ward | 53kg | 0:53.36 | - | 5 |
| 6.01L | $0.00 |
| 3/5 | 21/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Wodonga | 800m | 0:46.99 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |