Balcatherine Back To Make Her Mark
Star mare Balcatherine will be out to make an immediate impact on her return to racing when she lines up in tomorrow night’s Members Sprint (1730m) at Gloucester Park.
Balcatherine established herself as the best mare in the state last campaign, taking out the Group 1 Mares Classic (2536m) in November and the Christmas Belles (2130m) in December.
In between those wins she finished fourth at Free-For-All level in the Group 2 Lord Mayors Cup (2130m), proving she’s up to the state’s best pacers.
Her most recent outing was in January’s Village Kid Sprint, where she endured a tough run and faded to finish eighth behind Bletchley Park.
The five-year-old has drawn barrier four for her first-up assignment tomorrow night and may be forced to work in the early stages again.
Trainer Gary Hall Snr said he it would be tough for her to win the Members Sprint but was confident she would make FFA grade this preparation.
“She’s first-up for a while and she’s a bit big in condition,” Hall Snr told TABradio.
“She’s struck a race where I think she’s going to battle to win because I think the one horse will lead and be very hard to beat.
“Hopefully she can get one-one with cover or something.
“I still think she’ll be very competitive.”
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Balcatherine has recorded 10 wins from 20 starts in her career to date and Hall Snr said she would only continue to get better with each preparation.
“Each time she comes back she shows the same progression,” he said.
“She’s been working with Chicago Bull so that’s helping her get fit.
“We’re looking forward to seeing her tomorrow night.”
Hall Snr also has Eloquent Mach in the Members Sprint from barrier two and indicated he would look to drop to the back of Jack Farthing.
Tim Walker
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