3 minute read
With winter upon us, Canberra racing returns to the Acton synthetic surface. Since its refurbishment, the synthetic has raced fairly, enabling punters to wager with confidence.
Race 1
DREAM BUILDER (1) hit the line well winning the 66 at Wagga after a slow off and then was heavily-backed there 36 days ago the same grade but found Baby Jack too good. Draws the rail but won’t get snookered in the small field and he will take beating. GYPSY MISS (2) has won his last four and keeps improving. Did it by a space on the Wagga Riverside the latest and he keeps the handy 3kg claim. HIGH STREET (3) made the quinella against the above in that race after being slow of and wide. He has the figures to be right in the finish. BET: With Dream Builder to win.
Race 2
Alpine King can lead from Invincible Dream. JAR OF HEARTS (1) is up to this and is very sharp fresh. He’s placed 4/7 on this surface and expect a bold run drawn handy with a 4kg claim. ALPINE KING (3) runs along and is drawn to advantage. He’s a bit in and out, but can win at best and will get his chance. BOOM QUEEN (4) peaks and keeps improving. Didn’t miss by far here on the grass two weeks ago and can be right in the finish with a good ride. ADMIRE GRATZI (5) resumes and has placed 3/5 fresh. Expect him to be ready and go well. BET: Doubt there’s much between these with Jar Of Hearts getting the nod each way.
Race 3
Rosecraft a likely leader form Parisians. FARTHING WOOD (5) resumes and clearly brings the best figures. She showed plenty last campaign for the new yard and has placed 2/3 fresh. Needs a good ride but expect McIlrick to have her ready to roll. WE COULD BE HEROES (1) resumes off a career peak recorded this grade on the Beaumont at Newcastle, and that’s proved a strong form race. He will use the handy draw and expect him to be further improved and go close. LUCID KISS (7) had no luck resuming when expected to need it. He will be better for that and importantly has placed 2/3 this venue. She will use the low gate and can make the finish. PARISIANS (2) delivered the Maiden win on the Wagga Riverside and gets the chance to repeat running along. BET: With Farthing Wood if the market reflects stable confidence.
Race 4
Lucid Dreamer may be the one to run them along. Not much form to play with and the market will be interesting. LUCID DREAMER (1) is ex Team Hawkes back after 128 days for the McIlrick yard he was okay on debut but pulled up with issues after and was spelled. There’s trust involved but he gets the blinkers applied first time and expect the stable to have him ready to go. SEARCH AND DESTROY (2) did about what the market expected on debut a month ago racing handy, and no surprise if the sharp Matt Dale yard has him better prepared for this. STARS GALAWE (8) resumes with a low draw and 2kg claim and has shown enough to suggest she’s a chance if presented on song. SILENT HALO (7) may be next best forgiving the latest. BET: Leaning to Lucid Dreamer, but the market will provide a strong guide.
Race 5
A lack of early speed and expect Withorn to cross over and lead comfortably. Most of these have been struggling. OPPOSITE (8) is an ex Victorian back after 37 days for the Rolfe yard. He will race over further, but rates well at best and no surprise if the stable has him wound up for this with the key booking of Matt Cahill. WITHORN (11) has been a bit disappointing since the first-up placing, but gets the visors first time and should be ready to show his best running along. MISS CHARLIE (7) will also be fitter and gets McDougal today and he’s been riding plenty of winners. The stable is respected and expect her to perform much better. STAZZANA (10) will be around the mark. BET: Another tricky race. With Opposite if the money comes.
Race 6
Pont De Cirou can lead from Star Dux and The Senator. THE SENATOR (2) was ready but got caught in the wrong part of the track here on the grass, and then made amends with a comfortable all the way win at the Wagga Riverside as favourite. The 1900m looks a perfect progression and he should be winning again. STARDUX (5) won the CL1 easily at Leeton and then things didn’t work out at Bathurst. She gets Ward back on and should be in the finish using the low gate. FUTURE TIME (1) has been mixing his form but has the ability, and go on the solid on-speed effort here two back on the grass at this distance range. PONTCHARTRAIN (6) is still a maiden but may be best of the rest at odds. BET: The Senator is promising and is hard to go past.
Race 7
Soviet and Prince Jacko will push forward with Quantum Time. Plenty of chances in the $40,000 race. ONS VIER (5) is the bet with the stablemate Manzana a likely scratching. He was quickly back to form winning comfortably at Queanbeyan and that rates very well. Importantly, she’s won 2/2 this venue and looks well-placed with the weight drop. ROCK 'N' ROLLER (6) came from the back to record a strong win resuming at Wagga. He recorded a personal best in that and is sure to have come on. Note, Nick Heywood gets off to ride the above, but Matt Cahill is a more than able replacement. QUANTUM TIME (3) met some trouble missing a whisker behind the above in that race and is an on-pacer who comes in light with the 4kg claim. No knock on PRINCE JACKO (11) and like the above, he races well on this surface. He should be right in the finish. BET: This is a deep Federal. Taking the punt on Ons Vier.
Race 8
Good speed across the barriers with Living Doll and Sergeant Sam prominent. A competitive sprint. STAR OF THE CLAN (6) was expected to win here third-up on the grass but got caught on the wrong part of the track. She has the speed to cross over and has a good record on the Acton. Gets the weight drop and her chance. OUR FINVARRA (4) missed a lip here on the grass and then delivered this grade the same venue. He’s also raced well on the synthetic and gets the chance to go on. LIVING DOLL (1) resumes and will use the rail. She will be ready to go and the claim is handy. DENMAN DIVA (5) next. BET: Backing Star Of The Clan.
