The model's top-rated runner on today's card is Ballymac Aki, a black dog trained by D Blackbird, who lines up in trap one for the 21:46 at Sunderland. Racing over 450 metres in A9 grade, Aki carries a composite score of 77 — a clear margin above his nearest rival in the race, with the next-best opponent scoring just 43.
Bred by Brett Lee out of Ballymac Arminta, the August 2023 whelp has been knocking on the door in recent outings at Sunderland and the form figures paint a picture of a dog capable of winning at a decent level. His last six runs include a win at A1 grade in April, where he recorded a time of 27.66 over the 450-metre trip, and he has been placing consistently at that level since — finishing second and third in subsequent A1 outings. The opposition tonight in A9 represents a significant drop in grade, which is reflected in the dominance of his composite score over the rest of the field.
From trap one at Sunderland, Aki has the chance to break cleanly and establish an early position. His recent form at this track over this exact distance is the foundation of his rating, and the model sees little in tonight's field to trouble a dog who has been competing at the very top of the grading ladder. Slip Jig Em in trap two and Freeway Sky in trap five are the next best rated, but both sit 34 and 34 points respectively behind Aki's composite figure.
With the grade, the track, and the distance all in his favour, Ballymac Aki is tonight's standout selection from the model's perspective.