Ballarat Betting Tips for September 18, 2026 - Expensive Taste Worth the Price

Adam Cusworth

Editor

Last updated: Thu 17 Sep 2026 03:52

Adam Cusworth 1 hour ago

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Ballarat hosts a nine-race card on September 18, with the Gold Nugget as the feature
Top tips: Purgatorio (R3), Expensive Taste (R4), Al Duca (R8)
Track rated Soft 5; no rain in forecast

The $100,000 Gold Nugget headlines Friday racing at Ballarat. (Getty)

Ballarat stages the Friday meeting in Victoria on September 18, where the $100,000 Gold Nugget headlines the nine-race card.

Ballarat Tips September 18
Brandt Maiden Plate Tips (Race 3)
Hygain Edge Maiden Plate Tips (Race 4)
Sportsbet Gold Nugget Tips (Race 8)

The track is currently rated a Soft 5, although no rain is forecast, with the rail in the true position.

For the latest analysis, previews and betting coverage from all codes, visit Live Racing & Sports Updates.

Ballarat Tips September 18

Brandt Maiden Plate Tips (Race 3)

Ballarat Next Best Bet - Race 3 No. 13 Purgatorio

Purgatorio looks capable of going close in Race 3 after showing promise through his first two career starts for Anthony and Sam Freedman.

The son of Hellbent finished third at Echuca on debut in April before resuming as favourite over 1200m at Seymour late last month, where he finished a one-length fourth behind Cliff Runner.

He settled among the leading pair on that occasion but was hampered out of contention inside the final 200m, having trialled well leading into the first-up assignment.

Despite the interference, Purgatorio recorded a figure three lengths slower than standard benchmark, which is 3.5 lengths superior to the next-best last-start figure produced by any rival in this field.

Barrier nine should give him enough time to find his rhythm, and with better luck in running, the lightly raced gelding looks well placed to break through.

Hygain Edge Maiden Plate Tips (Race 4)

Ballarat Best Bet - Race 4 No. 13 Expensive Taste

There has been enough merit in Expensive Taste's performances to suggest she can finally break through in Race 4.

The McEvoy-trained filly is yet to win from six starts but has placed four times, including an unlucky third in the Group 2 Sires' Produce Stakes over 1400m at Flemington as a two-year-old.

She has had three starts this preparation and endured a tough run on the Ballarat Synthetic last time, racing wide without cover early before eventually settling outside the leader and tiring late into fourth over 1500m.

That performance returned a figure 3.7 lengths slower than standard benchmark, the second-best last-start figure in this field behind Sister's Run, who comes through the same race.

The rise to 2000m looks suitable and, with the prospect of a more economical run this time, Expensive Taste can produce the improvement required.

Sportsbet Gold Nugget Tips (Race 8)

Ballarat Feature Bet - Race 8 No. 2 Al Duca

The return to 1600m looks a major positive for Al Duca as he tackles Friday's $100,000 Gold Nugget.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained six-year-old resumed from an eight-week break at Caulfield recently and finished eighth behind Fancify over 1400m after being caught wide without cover, while the winner controlled the race from the front.

He followed a similar path last autumn, missing out when resuming over 1400m before stringing together consecutive victories over the mile at Flemington and Caulfield.

That record suggests he is far better suited at this distance, while barrier one should allow him to enjoy a much more economical passage than he received first-up.

Damian Lane takes the ride and is striking at 27% for the stable, giving Al Duca every chance to return to his best in the Gold Nugget.