Ballarat Betting Tips for August 16, 2026 - Ardakan Ready for the Long Haul

Martin Pennington

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Last updated: Fri 14 Aug 2026 13:04

Martin Pennington 2 hours ago

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Ballarat's six-race jumps meet features the Grand National Steeplechase
Key tips: Ardakan and The Cunning Fox to win, Palentino Heights as value each way
Heavy 10 track – favour horses proven on wet tracks

The Grand National Steeplechase headlines Sunday’s Ballarat jumps program. (Getty)

Ballarat hosts a six-race jumps program on Sunday, August 16, with the Grand National Steeplechase providing the feature.

Ballarat Tips August 16
Ciaron Maher Racing Maiden Hurdle Tips (Race 2)
Ecycle Solutions JJ Houlahan Hurdle Tips (Race 4)
Henry Dwyer Racing Steeplechase Tips (Race 5)
Ecycle Solutions Grand National Steeplechase Tips (Race 6)

A Heavy 10 track is expected and, with rain forecast, testing conditions look assured.

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Ballarat Tips August 16

Ciaron Maher Racing Maiden Hurdle Tips (Race 2)

Ballarat Value Bet - Race 2 No. 5 Palentino Heights

A winner on the flat in 2023, Palentino Heights has produced several solid efforts across five starts this preparation.

The best of those came second-up at Hamilton, where the gelding finished runner-up over 3200m in wet conditions.

While unable to go one better in three subsequent starts, he produced another good effort when fourth over 3200m at Warrnambool in June, beaten six-and-a-half lengths after settling off the pace on a Heavy 10.

Palentino Heights was well beaten when fifth at Hamilton last time, but he won a Coleraine trial eight days later and arrives here fresh after being a late scratching last weekend.

Thomas Smith Carberry partnered him in that trial and, with the apprentice set to have his first race ride, Palentino Heights may prove capable of providing him with an immediate winner.

Ecycle Solutions JJ Houlahan Hurdle Tips (Race 4)

Ballarat Best Bet - Race 4 No. 1 The Cunning Fox

After his first three starts this preparation came on the flat at big odds, The Cunning Fox returned to jumping with an impressive seven-length victory in a small-field 3400m hurdle.

The form from that event has worked out particularly well, with the second and third subsequently filling the first two positions in the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown two weeks ago.

Successful on a Heavy 10 that day, the eight-year-old should encounter similar underfoot conditions at Ballarat.

Patrick Payne’s representative has shown tactical versatility and also boasts a strong record over this distance.

The Cunning Fox has handled big weights well in the past and, despite conceding weight to his rivals, he is taken to register back-to-back victories with regular rider Tom Ryan retaining the mount.

Henry Dwyer Racing Steeplechase Tips (Race 5)

Ballarat Next Best Bet - Race 5 No. 2 Charlie Messy Hair

Charlie Messy Hair broke his maiden over fences when saluting in Heavy conditions at Casterton early last month.

The gelding raced in fourth for much of that 3800m contest before going on to finish in the top three at his next two starts, including on the flat at Geelong.

That Geelong performance saw him finish strongly in a 2400m wet-track maiden before returning to fences at Casterton last weekend.

Racing on a Soft 7, Charlie Messy Hair produced a respectable effort when beaten 10 lengths in a six-runner event, and the shorter distance here should pose no issue.

The quick back-up is a slight query, but Jessica Pateman’s six-year-old owns solid jumps form and is taken to record career win number two with Will Gordon aboard for the first time this preparation.

Ecycle Solutions Grand National Steeplechase Tips (Race 6)

Ballarat Feature Bet - Race 6 No. 6 Ardakan

A proven Heavy-track performer, Ardakan has finished in the top three in all seven starts in testing conditions.

That record includes a maiden hurdle victory at Warrnambool three starts ago and a runner-up finish in the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown earlier this month.

Ciaron Maher’s representative performed well in that five-runner event on his first attempt at 4200m, finishing just under one-and-a-half lengths from the winner.

He then impressed in a steeplechase trial at Traralgon three days later and should appreciate stepping up in distance for Sunday’s feature.

Ardakan has a little to find with Sandown winner Andy Win, but Martin Kelly knows the gelding well after riding him at his past three starts, and the former Group 1 performer on the flat is selected to record his fourth career victory.

Verdict

Ballarat - August 16

Our Ballarat selections for Sunday, August 15 are:

Ardakan

To Win

$4.60 - 2 Units

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The Cunning Fox

To Win

$1.70 - 4 Units

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Charlie Messy Hair

To Win

$2.90 - 3 Units

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Palentino Heights

Each Way

$10.00 - 1 Unit

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