Ballarat Cup heats; a decision of age

Tuesday, 28 November, 2017, by Molly Haines

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After finishing second in last years Energis Ballarat Cup to Country Cup King Zambora Brockie, Judicial Man is coming back one year older with a vengeance and thankfully just as good looking after drawing box five in heat seven of the the Group Two Ballarat Cup.

The blue fawn son of Knocka Norris and All Fire Up is no stranger to the Country Cup circuit himself, having competed in the Geelong Gold Cup in 2017 (finishing sixth) and 2016 (finishing second).

“We have spaced his runs out in the lead up to both the Ballarat and Geelong Cup this year because he is getting on a bit, turning four in January but we are still confident that he has the ability to compete to a high standard,” trainer Brooke Ennis said.

Judicial Man won his 2017 Geelong Gold Cup heat in 25.67, only half a length slower than his 2016 Geelong Gold Cup heat win proving he’s still got what it takes.

“He loves the country tracks, I think because they tend benefit dogs with early pace and he has plenty of it.”

Judicial Man claimed win number 25 from 41 starts at Bendigo on Friday, clocking a slick best of the day time of 23.56sec in preparation for the Ballarat Cup heats on Saturday night.

Ennis also has Bear’s Gold engaged in the Ballarat Cup heats, jumping from box one in heat two. If Judicial Man and Bear’s Gold make it through to the Ballarat Cup on Saturday December 9, it will be the second year running Ennis has two runners in the Cup.

Saturday night will see eight heats run of the Group Two Ballarat Cup, with the winners earning their rugs in Ballarat’s feature event for the year.

Race 8 061 Pictured: Zambora Brockie taking out the 2016 Ballarat Cup over Judicial Man.

Wondering what last year’s Ballarat Cup winner, Zambora Brockie is up to?

After dominating Victoria’s Country Cup circuit by winning three Victorian Country Cups in one financial year and earning a $50,000 bonus, Zambora Brockie retired to Stud Feburary. Brockie has served 13 bitches, with his first litter of pups to Anastasia who is bred by Anthony’s partner Kylie Osborne, now five months old (3 dogs and 4 bitches).