Ballina Picks

THREE GRACES won last start to break maiden at Grafton and draws to do no work, perfectly placed. VENOM WOLF comes back to race at a country level and has two placings from five runs this prep, each-way claims. MAX 'O' MAX ran fifth last start at Ipswich and up in trip, place only. SON OF HEROIC won once this prep at Murwillumbah four runs back and came on to finish midfield last start at Lismore, place hope.

PIERRE CARDINNIGAN just missed when heavily backed at only start at Ballina on a soft track, commands respect. PAUL EDWARD has the speed to overcome a very wide draw, capable of getting into the money. CARACORON placed last start at Grafton when fresh and likely to settle back in the field, place best. SAMURAI WAND back from 14 week spell and drawn perfectly, place chance.

IRISH GIFT has placed in two attempts this campaign and finished half a length back from the leader last start at Ballina on a soft track, perfectly placed. CHURCH ROCK chased well to fall just short last start at Grafton on a soft track when resuming, still in this. OK THEN let-up for 11 weeks and just missed at long odds last start at Grafton, place best. NOVEMBER SUN placed last start at Eagle Farm when fresh and comes back to race at a country level, needs the breaks.

Looks solid depth to this field. PETE THE SNOOP faded to finish on the winners' heels at only start at Gold Coast on a soft track, will take the power of beating. CONFEDERATE LADY placed last start at Ballina and should run fitter for past attempts, quinella. FORCEFILLY back from 21 week spell and in the money at only start running third at Gatton on a soft track, place only. LUCKY NEKO let-up for five weeks and amongst the placegetters last start running third at Murwillumbah on a heavy track when fresh, not the worst.

VOCATION let-up for 10 weeks and has the speed to overcome a very wide draw, hard to go past. PETTICOAT resumes after a spell of 21 weeks and looks ready to go following convincing trial win at Port Macquarie, each-way claims. SEPTEMBER GIRL came on strong when just beaten last start at Ballina, the real danger in the race. SNOW FALCON won't be far away in the run and should run fitter for past attempts, don't dismiss.

BELLZEN in strong form with two wins from five attempts this campaign and Danny Peisley has had success aboard previously, has solid claims. GROOVY DAY last start winner at Grafton when first up. Winner of last two at Grafton and Murwillumbah, don't treat lightly. WRITTEN FAME 3 wins from nine attempts this campaign and relishes the heavy, in with a chance. PISA CAKE finished fifth last start at Grafton when resuming and has the speed to overcome an unfavourable draw, could threaten.

WONDERLAND STAR soft draw, genuine contender. COLD ONE strong in winning last start at Gold Coast on a soft track. Winner of last two at Gold Coast and Lismore, still in this. I'MTIMMYZOU has the speed to overcome a very wide draw and has very strong form at Ballina, could threaten. AITUTAKI winner at Murwillumbah and placed once this campaign, capable of getting into the money.

HURRICANE HARLOW resumes after a 17 week spell and has the speed to overcome a very wide draw, has solid claims. VOCALS bolted in last start to break maiden at Murwillumbah on a heavy track and Madeleine Wishart has had success aboard previously, the real danger in the race. MEAT PIE ARTIE only able to place as favourite last start at Coffs Harbour when first up, not without each-way claims. MAGADAN first-up after 22 week break and ran sixth at Sale when last first-up, chance to place.