Country Cup racing in Victoria continues this Saturday, with the Ballarat Cup (2000m) attracting a solid field.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Ballarat Cup.
2025 Ballarat Cup Runner Preview:
1. Casino Seventeen: Got his win last Saturday in a weak Eclipse. 2000m is fine, but I have others ahead of him.
2. Kingswood: Kingswood has been kept on the fresh side since his win over this trip on Cup Day. He was there to be beaten by a horse who I think will measure up at Group l level, Saint George, and was able to fend it off and score. He’s flying this horse and rates highly.
3. Air Assault: I think Stubby gave him a sore back at Cranbourne, ridden far too negatively. Gets a soft lead this time around and will love rising up to 2000m. But… is he well found?
4. Berkeley Square: Fresh legs and blinkers back on to defend the title on the home track. The set-up is clearly there for him, he’ll be strong late… but is there petrol left in the tank? Market will be the guide.
5. Detonator Jack: He was okay in the Eclipse last Saturday off a mini set-back. I think 2000m on a track with juice in it will be very much ideal for him and his best is clearly good enough.
6. Saint George: Saint George is bursting to win for Ciaron Maher. He ran on Cup Day over 1800m when off-speed and loomed to win but just found one better in Kingswood. Bursting to win and strikes a winnable race.
7. Poison Chalice: Given every chance in the Eclipse last Saturday and was weak late… happy to oppose.
8. Positivity: Handy mare when right but she’s not right.
9. Statuario: Talent is there but he was too bad in the Cranbourne Cup to entertain him here.
10. Shaiyhar: Close up in defeat behind Kingswood/Saint George. Tricky draw, will need luck but is capable.
11. Firm Agreement: Firm Agreement is a knockout chance. Forgive and forget his run in The Beauford at Newcastle when back on a firm deck and on a day where up/in was dynamite, he was never a factor. Has a gate to settle much closer and will love getting some cushion in the ground.
12. Promises Kept: He looks cast.
13. Cadmus: Looked gone at Flemington on Cup Day so no idea why he is here.
14. Ocean Beyond: Capable horse, but surely isn’t good enough to beat these.
15. Ghetto Superstar: Flying this horse but needs it a touch easier.
2025 Ballarat Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$50 Win Saint George
$10 Win / $40 Place Firm Agreement
Ballarat Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CASINO SEVENTEEN | Gavin Bedggood | Harry Coffey | 2 | 59.5kg |
| 2 | KINGSWOOD (GB) | Gavin Bedggood | John Allen | 6 | 59kg |
| 3 | AIR ASSAULT | Andrew Gluyas | Jason Holder | 1 | 58kg |
| 4 | BERKELEY SQUARE | Dan O’Sullivan | Luke Nolen | 14 | 58kg |
| 5 | DETONATOR JACK (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 9 | 58kg |
| 6 | SAINT GEORGE (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 15 | 56kg |
| 7 | POISON CHALICE (NZ) | Paul Preusker | Damian Lane | 4 | 54.5kg |
| 8 | POSITIVITY (NZ) | Andrew Forsman | Luke Cartwright (a) | 12 | 54kg |
| 9 | STATUARIO | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Lachlan Neindorf | 7 | 54kg |
| 10 | SHAIYHAR (IRE) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Dean Yendall | 13 | 54kg |
| 11 | FIRM AGREEMENT | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Ryan Houston (a) | 3 | 54kg |
| 12 | PROMISES KEPT | Michael Hickmott | Beau Mertens | 11 | 54kg |
| 13 | CADMUS (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Patrick Moloney | 5 | 54kg |
| 14 | OCEAN BEYOND (NZ) | Simon Ryan | Luke Currie | 8 | 54kg |
| 15 | GHETTO SUPASTAR | Michael Shepherdson | Teo Nugent | 10 | 54kg |
Ballarat Cup Odds
2025 Ballarat Cup Speed Map
There is zero early speed here outside Air Assault, who will get complete control. Poison Chalice and Kingswood can settle handy? But they are going to crawl.