3 minute read
The Rail is out 7m and the Canberra track presents as a Good 4. On-pacers are likely to be suited and no surprise if they come down the outside in the stretch. It shapes as a competitive programme.
Race 1 (1300m) Open 2
Of the raced we know Silk Tie and Danish Prince are capable of racing handy. SILK TIE (9) had trialled well and was only beaten a half length this track on debut. Finished the race off determinedly and the top rider sticks with the Sydney-trained filly. Fitter and can go one better. LEFT REELING (7) is on debut and creates plenty of interest. Has been well-trialled and won the latest at Gosford. Innes stays aboard and the 1300m looks a good starting point for a Dundeel filly. HOPE IN YOUR HEART (6) is similarly bred and is sure to improve off the first-up effort at Kembla Grange. The trial there prior was good and Penza sticks. On the 6-day turnaround so must be pleasing. DANISH PRINCE (1) won this grade beating Silk Tie home and no knock on that. Not so well-off at the weights. MISS AMARI (8) debuts off two recent trials and the market should indicate her likely competitiveness. BET: Backing Silk Tie with the race fitness and experience.
Race 2 (1400m) MDN SW
Lenny's Lad is the most likely to run them along. TOOSTAR (10) has just missed both runs back at Randwick (K) and Hawkesbury and will be positioned on-pace from the rails barrier. Suited and is ready to win. BELLA VIOLET (6) also rates strongly and led and missed a lip at Rosehill over 800m prior to the spell. Was just nudged out resuming at Goulburn and Penza sticks from that. The extra 200m advantages. The danger. AURORA FLORENTINA (5) debuted at Newcastle and looked in need of it. In good hands and he can improve into the frame. LENNY'S LAD (3) next best. BET: Going with Toostar.
Race 3 (1200m) MDN
Solid early tempo with Old Man Emu and Kibosh capable of leading the way. KIBOSH (1) was heavily-bet here first up but found Capital Reign too speedy over the short sprint. The 1200m suits much better and the Sydney-trained filly has plenty up the sleeve. Gets the leading hoop and makes strong appeal. A jockey for SEA STITCH (12) has been declared very late and he's a leading chance. He ran along at Nowra running a decent figure and will be in the finish with a repeat of that. URBAN WARRIOR (3) resumes with the blinkers on first time and Canberra is proving a happy hunting ground for the Robl barn. Draws to advantage and has shown enough to say he'll be very competitive if presented on-song. SOJO (6) debuts for the Nick Olive yard and owns a 1.8L Canberra trial win. The market will say if she's good enough. GREEN LEO (2) resumes for Matt Dale and has trialled well at Goulburn with McDougall aboard. He was a well-bet favourite on debut and was immediately spelled. The betting will tell with him as well. BET: Backing Kibosh to win.
Race 4 (1400m) CL1
Reasonable tempo with Divine Future probably leading and a few others can keep her honest. RUBAIYA (7) couldn't have been more impressive winning the Maiden here first up as the market expected. The longer sprint will suit and she has more to offer. Will take beating fitter and with average luck from the sticky gate. LEGAL CHALLENGE (2) won the Maiden here two weeks ago a well-bet favourite and didn't get it easy. Keeps improving and McDougall (striking at 30%) and stays with him. Should get every chance to repeat. SLY SONG (9) is a former VIC galloper who's had three solid outings for the Olive yard. She's up to this at best and gets weight relief and the interesting jockey switch to Penza. Keep her very safe on the 5-day return. ROCK THE DREAM (6) rates well off the Goulburn Maiden win but loses McDougall. Ford is a positive substitute but has to manage the wide gate. BET: With Rubaiya.
Race 5 (2000m) CL1
Moderate tempo with Olmeto leading the way and a few others keeping in touch. HIMIKO (5) found one much too good resuming at the mile and then ran along in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes over this distance hoisting the white flag at the 350m. She was having her first run for the John Thompson yard and will be better for it. She looks well-placed and has more to give. STYLEBENDER (9) presents at peak fitness off strong Maidens. He's shown enough to say he can be competitive in this line-up and expect the middle distance to suit. Could prove the surprise package. MOSSY OAK (2) has won (Maiden) and placed the last two at the mile after settling back. Gets the top hoop first time and should see it right out. AUSTRALIANO (3) has been plain the last two at the provincials. The near-miss at Hawkesbury prior at this trip stacks right up. He runs along and could upset. BET: Leaning to Himiko.
Race 6 (1400m) BM 70 — Federal
Solid tempo with She's All In leading from Zelago and El Prados. PROPOSE TO ME (3) won the 75 here comfortably before being beaten 1.4L at Muswellbrook in better grade. The extra 200m won't bother and 2x winning rider McDougall reunites on the Matt Dale-trained galloper. Promising and she's the one to beat. ZELAGO (2) also rates strongly and has never raced better. Missed a lip in the corresponding race two weeks ago and the speedy galloper will again take catching. PERFECT PITCH (6) comes out of the same race and didn't have much luck as favourite. The gate's tricky but she gets in very well at the weights with a 3kg claim. Always puts in and can't be ruled out over the longer sprint. EL PRADOS (8) led in that contest just beaten. A chance if he runs the longer sprint right out. BET: Backing Propose To Me to win.
Race 7 (1000m) BM65
Nobody's Puppet and Haralben to apply plenty of early pressure over the sprint journey. UNDENIABLE (6) resumes and ran a career peak before the spell. Brings a sharp Kembla Grange trial and the Sydney-trained galloper should come back even better. Lever rides and the filly has shown enough to say she'll take beating. The speedy THE UNKNOWN FACTOR (3) drops in class following the 1.5L defeat this track behind Calescent. He will be better for that and the 3kg claim brings him right into it. OUR FINVARRA (5) was good winning here this grade and trip 14 days ago enjoying a dry track. Keeps the hot hoop and he can repeat without surprising. MAGIC TALENT (11) has won two of the last three and the latest effort at Goulburn stacks up. Draws for a soft run and has to be considered. SCALDED (10) gets the rail and is also in the mix. BET: With Undeniable if the money comes.
Race 8 (1600m) BM60
A solid tempo on the cards with Stratum's Rose leading the way. SHENANDOAH (2) reaches peak fitness and is ready to win for Keith Dryden lifting to the mile. Raced favourite in stronger class over 1300m the latest and the blinkers are applied first time. High stable-striker McDougall sticks and will position for a soft run from the rails barrier. WAR DECK (5) has disappointed the last two but was beaten a nose here before that this grade and distance. He's a player mirroring that level of form. MANDALONG BEYOND (6) is a chance building on the 1.4L defeat at the mile 8-days ago. Loves Queanbeyan but has decent figures across other tracks and will be right in the firing line from the handy gate. MOHAHNA (7) has ability and third-up will be ready to show more. Gets the blinkers first time and an advantageous barrier. Keep the Nick Olive-trained galloper very safe. GARROS (4) has been racing over middle distances but winning rider Lever reunites and expect him to be in the mix. BET: Backing Shenandoah.
