Ballarat Betting Tips for August 9, 2026 - Magic in the Finale

Martin Pennington

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Last updated: Fri 07 Aug 2026 08:18

Martin Pennington 1 hour ago

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Ballarat races set for Sunday, August 9 on the synthetic track
Top selections: Just Magic, Filigree Shadow, Prince Marionette, Aqua Storm
Key runners are tipped for recent strong form and track suitability

The synthetic surface is in use for Sunday’s Ballarat meeting. (Getty)

Ballarat hosts an eight-race program on Sunday, August 9, with four set-weights maidens followed by four benchmark events.

Ballarat Tips August 9
Global Turf Maiden Plate Tips (Race 2)
Manhari BM62 Handicap Tips (Race 5)
Hygain Edge BM62 Handicap Tips (Race 6)
Hygain Edge BM56 Handicap Tips (Race 8)

The synthetic track is in use for a meeting that was originally scheduled to be held at Echuca.

Our Live Racing & Sports Updates provide the latest analysis, previews and betting coverage across all codes.

Ballarat Tips August 9

Global Turf Maiden Plate Tips (Race 2)

Ballarat Next Best Bet - Race 2 No. 8 Filigree Shadow

Filigree Shadow has performed well in defeat in all three starts to date, including at this venue on her second appearance.

The four-year-old finished fourth in a 1000m maiden after filling the same position on the turf course here on debut.

Beaten just over two lengths in that synthetic event, she returned to turf with a close fifth over 1200m on Soft ground at Murtoa, staying on nicely to finish just one-and-a-half lengths from the winner.

That latest effort suggested the rise in distance will suit, while Harry Coffey returns to the saddle after partnering her on her penultimate start.

Although the wide barrier is not ideal, Filigree Shadow represents the powerful Tony and Calvin McEvoy team, who prepared three winners here on Thursday, and she looks value to break through.

Manhari BM62 Handicap Tips (Race 5)

Ballarat Favourite - Race 5 No. 5 Prince Marionette

Prince Marionette has become a regular at this track in recent months, with each of his past five starts coming here.

Those appearances have yielded a victory and three fifth-place finishes, with the win coming over this distance on his penultimate start.

Competing at Benchmark 52 level, the gelding settled off the pace before finishing two lengths clear of his nearest rival.

Similar tactics are expected from barrier nine after he recorded a two-and-a-half-length fifth in Benchmark 56 company subsequently, with runner-up Starburst boosting that form by winning here on Thursday.

This is a tougher assignment, but John Allen returns after riding Prince Marionette to victory last month, and the gelding can provide Patrick Kearney with his first winner of the season.

Hygain Edge BM62 Handicap Tips (Race 6)

Ballarat Value Bet - Race 6 No. 5 Aqua Storm

Aqua Storm broke his maiden at the sixth attempt when successful on a wet turf surface at Coleraine last time.

The son of Territories started a $1.65 favourite and carried 69.5kg to victory in the highweight maiden.

He is tactically versatile, having made the running last time while also performing well when ridden with restraint in previous appearances.

The Shane Jackson-trained gelding tired late at Coleraine, making the drop in distance a positive, while he is already proven over this track-and-trip after placing second from a wide barrier on his penultimate start.

Jack Hill partnered Aqua Storm on that occasion and returns to the saddle, with the pair selected to complete consecutive victories.

Hygain Edge BM56 Handicap Tips (Race 8)

Ballarat Best Bet - Race 8 No. 3 Just Magic

Three of Just Magic’s four previous starts have come on synthetic surfaces, including her latest appearance at this venue.

Racing over 1200m, the four-year-old finished third on her first start against previous winners and was beaten just under half a length.

She had broken through over the same distance at Pakenham Synthetic prior, with the third and ninth from that maiden subsequently winning.

The mare also shapes as though the rise in distance will suit, while apprentice Olivia East boasts a 40% strike rate at this track over the past 12 months with six winners from 15 rides.

Just Magic lacks the experience of some of her rivals but remains open to improvement and looks capable of overcoming a double-figure barrier to record the second victory of her career.