Ball Of Muscle will take plenty of catching in Saturday’s Ranvet Sprint at Randwick with the well bred gelding poised to reach stakes level this summer.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding showed an abundance of promise during his three-year-old season which culminated with a brave No Metro Win success against more seasoned rivals at Canterbury in June.
Ball Of Muscle has been readied for a first up run at Randwick on Saturday with two trials and looked particularly sharp in his latest over 800m at Warwick Farm.
The son of Dubawi resumes in the Benchmark 85 Ranvet Sprint and the event shapes as a more than suitable affair for the gelding to commence his late spring/early summer preparation.
In a small field of eight, Ball Of Muscle is clearly the most progressive sprinter.
That’s hardly the biggest compliment though as the race doesn’t appear to possess much in terms of depth.
One thing the race does possess is early speed, don’t blink or you will miss them with the likes of Alberto Magic and Holder Sunset also boasting good early pace.
The biggest query regarding Ball Of Muscle is where he settles with so much speed drawn inside him.
Ideally, jockey Glyn Schofield will have the gelding positioned outside the lead likely set by Alberto Magic.
Glyn Schofield is unbeaten in two rides partnering Ball Of Muscle and the duo looked poised to build on that record here.
Trainer Joe Pride knows how to work a horse through their grades gradually and don’t be surprised if Ball Of Muscle is making his presence felt through the Summer Sprint Series in the coming weeks.
The Warwick Farm-based horseman has an affinity with the family as well, with full brother Tiger Tees and half brother Terravista also in the stable.
Furthermore, another sibling in Super Easy is a multiple Group winner in Singapore.
Expect the Joe Pride-trained Speed Machine to be too quick for his opposition in the Benchmark 85 Ranvet Sprint (1000m).
Paris Match shapes as a fantastic value play off an eye catching first up run at Canterbury.
The mare resumed in a 1250m Benchmark 75 Handicap at Canterbury last start.
She was slow away and settled last before making a wide, searching run around the home turn.Deepest into the straight, Paris Match showed a beautiful turn of foot and charged home for second.
A forward showing is expected from Paris Match in the Hyland Race Colours Benchmark 80 Handicap for Fillies and Mares (1400m).
At the genuine each way odds as of Friday morning, Paris Match is certainly worth a wager.
Always one to get back, the Street Cry mare will appreciate the more spacious Randwick circuit not to mention a rise in distance.
Jim Cassidy stays aboard after that Canterbury run which can also be considered encouraging.
Paris Match already rates on top amongst this field both on 12 month and 50 day weight adjusted Timeform ratings.
She should be building upon a strong first up performance and therefore, has plenty of appeal at her current price.
Sydney Specials – November 8
Best Of The Day: R4; #6 Ball Of Muscle @ $2.70
Each Way Play: R6; #3 Paris Match @ $8.50
