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Ballarat Betting Tips for August 25, 2026 - Margin Call Rings True

martin-pennington
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Last updated: Mon 24 Aug 2026 09:27

Ballarat hosts a seven-race program on Tuesday, August 25, featuring a mix of maiden and benchmark events on its synthetic track. Key selections include 'Surreal I Am' as the best bet in Race 4, with strong synthetic form, and 'Margin Call' as another top pick in Race 7. Value and roughie plays are 'Pride Of Mandy' in Race 3 and 'Yakapna' in Race 1, respectively. Punters are advised to watch these horses, with form, track conditions, and proven strategies making the difference.

Martin Pennington 1 hour ago
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  • Ballarat races on August 25 features seven events on the synthetic track
  • Surreal I Am (Race 4) and Margin Call (Race 7) highlighted as top bets
  • Value selections include Pride Of Mandy (Race 3) and roughie Yakapna (Race 1)
Ballarat tips for 25/08
Tuesday racing heads to the Ballarat synthetic for a seven-race card. (Getty)

Ballarat hosts a seven-race program on Tuesday, August 25, with four benchmark events following three maidens.

The synthetic track is in use, with a wet day expected for participants and spectators.

For more information on coverage across racing and sport, visit our Live Streaming Hub.

Ballarat Tips August 25


Global Turf Maiden Plate Tips (Race 1)


Ballarat Roughie - Race 1 No. 12 Yakapna

A cheap purchase through the Inglis Early Online Sale in December, Yakapna has made two starts to date, debuting with a fair seventh over 1200m at Murtoa last month.

Racing on a wet turf surface, the mare was beaten just over seven-and-a-half lengths after settling around midfield.

The daughter of Puissance De Lune then took a step forward when fifth over 1500m on the Ballarat synthetic two weeks ago.

She raced wide without cover for much of that contest but still kept on nicely in the straight, with Alana Kelly having partnered her in both starts to date.

An inside draw is a positive and, with the rise in distance expected to suit, the lightly raced Thomas Conlan-trained mare may be capable of surprising at just the third start of her career.

Become A 2026/27 BTC Member Maiden Plate Tips (Race 3)


Ballarat Value Bet - Race 3 No. 10 Pride Of Mandy

Pride Of Mandy appeared to have no issues with the synthetic surface when finishing fourth here three starts ago over 1400m.

She was prominent in the betting and raced on speed in that 10-runner event, finishing just over four lengths from the winner.

The mare produced her best effort in two subsequent starts when employing similar tactics at Bairnsdale earlier this month.

Stepping to 1600m for the first time, she opened up by around three lengths in the straight before being reeled in late.

The slight drop in trip suits and, from barrier four, similar positive tactics are expected, with the Cliff Brown-trained mare rating as value to break through after connections elected to head here instead of Wangaratta on Sunday.

Manhari BM78 Handicap Tips (Race 4)


Ballarat Best Bet - Race 4 No. 3 Surreal I Am

A strong synthetic record is the obvious starting point with Surreal I Am, who has won four of his seven starts on the surface.

Two of those victories have come this preparation, including a win over this track and trip last month.

Racing from the front after drawing inside, the gelding held on by just under half a length at Benchmark 70 level.

That form has since received some support, with several runners behind him performing well subsequently, including seventh-placed Swycho, who won here two weeks ago.

The rise in grade should not pose a major concern, with another favourable draw and Jamie Mott back aboard after partnering him to victory on the Pakenham synthetic three starts ago, while a recent second in a Pakenham jump-out suggests he has remained in good order.

Hygain Edge BM62 Handicap Tips (Race 7)


Ballarat Next Best Bet - Race 7 No. 1 Margin Call

Margin Call has performed consistently since switching his attention to synthetic tracks, finishing in the top three in all three starts.

Two of those placings have come at Ballarat, including a narrow defeat here last week when beaten just under one-and-a-half lengths under apprentice Zac Moore.

The four-year-old raced keenly through the early and middle stages over 1200m in that Benchmark 62, yet still stuck on well enough in the finish.

Dropping back in distance is no concern given both career wins have come over this trip, while the inside draw is another positive.

John Allen takes the ride and, with a strong record at Ballarat in 2026, he can help the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding return to the winner's circle for the first time since December.

Verdict

Our Ballarat selections for Tuesday, August 25 are:

Best Bet1: Surreal I Am To Win $3.90 at Unibet Australia - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Margin Call To Win $3.60 at betr - 4 Units
Best Bet3: Pride Of Mandy Each Way $13.00 at BetRaven - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Yakapna Each Way $23.00 at Marantellibet - 1 Unit
Surreal I Am
To Win
$3.90 - 4 Units
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Bet at Unibet Australia
Margin Call
To Win
$3.60 - 4 Units
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Pride Of Mandy
Each Way
$13.00 - 1 Unit
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Referral Code: bets500

The BetRaven referral code is bets500. 18+. T&Cs apply.

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Yakapna
Each Way
$23.00 - 1 Unit
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Referral Code: BETS

The Marantellibet referral code is BETS. 18+. T&Cs apply.

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