3 minute read
They’ll be racing on a Heavy 10 and there’s showers forecast with a top temperature of 9 anticipated. The rail is out 10m and the outside ground will be the place to be. The meeting has been belted by scratching especially early in the day and clever rides will be at a premium. The last couple of races are particularly tough form assignments.
Race 1 (1200m) Open 3
After the key scratchings expecting Little Krakatoa to take up the running. DIFFERENT TIME (4) came down the outside rail winning here this level 14 days ago on the heavy track. The extra 200m shouldn't bother and is the one to beat with the extra fitness. Stablemate CRUCIAL WITNESS (7) was second-up and came hard to quinella that race and will also be fitter. No surprise if they fight it out again. LITTLE KRAKATOA (3) raced favourite winning the Gundagai Maiden on the heavy but needs to find a bit extra to top the two above. SUPERNACULUM (11) resumes for the ACT premiership yard with McDougall booked and showed enough at his debut run to suggest he will be competitive if presented ready. Keep very safe. BET: Leaning to Different Time.
Race 2 (1600m) CL1 SW
Bolson and Bro will be positioned close-up. BOLSON (4) won the Kembla Maiden second-up on the heavy and then went back and led and placed at this level at 1400m also on a deep track. He peaks today for a leading Sydney yard and can win at the mile relishing the conditions. A gap then to JOPHIEL (10) who is better than the two runs back suggest. He had more market support at Wagga and the in-form Loy is a positive jockey switch. The former Tasmanian can show more today. TAN LINE (12) peaks and a repeat of the Gundagai heavy placing two-back would have her well in the mix. BRO (1) gets the leading hoop and won't be far away if he runs out the mile. BET: Bolson ticks most boxes and will take plenty of getting past.
Race 3 (1300m) Maiden
Guiltless and Mohahna can set a genuine tempo. NAMARARI (9) resumes and the race pattern suggests he's had issues. He's certainly right up to this and gets the blinkers again. McDougall's booking is a decent push for his readiness. CELESTIAL WARRIOR (5) will be better third-up and would have an edge if he could recapture his best Victorian form. Gets the tongue tie again and Cahill keeps the faith by going back on. MOHAHNA (2) needed the first up run here on the heavy and expect him to be much improved. He's in good hands and is a player finding his best. FRANKLY SAVVY (3) debuts for a leading Sydney yard and has been well-trialled. She's running in the deep conditions so expect her to be ready and race well. BET: Leaning to Namarari but the late market will be instructive in this contest.
Race 4 (1000m) Maiden SW
Arizona Night is sure to use the low gate and can set the tempo working out wider prior to turning. HALLIES COMET (3) debuts for the sharp Sydney yard and owns a Warwick Farm trial win. The wide gate shouldn't bother in the deep conditions and McDougall's booking suggests the mare is here to win. The late market is sure to tell the story. ARIZONA NIGHT (9) ran along and found the best ground missing a whisker here on debut on the heavy surface. She's trialled well and O'Hara sticks and will give her every chance from the good gate. Expect her to go close with the extra fitness. INDIGNANT (4) was okay resuming at Newcastle after a slow off. She's in good hands and quick improvement is on the cards. MO MORE CHICKEN (5) placed on debut at Goulburn on the heavy and did enough to suggest she's an each way chance. BET: A tricky race. Like the top two selections and will be guided by the market.
Race 5 (2000m) BM 70
A middle distance contest that lacks early pace. Expect it to be tactical. HILLTOP HOOD (3) failed to run on at Kembla Grange but the two placings before stack right up. Guymer is re-united and that's a plus and the heavy track will prove no issue. He can win well-seasoned and getting a soft run. SWEET KNUCKLE (4) was much better placing on the deep track here two weeks ago this grade at the mile. He placed his only middle distance run and 2x winning ride McDougall is back on. CASINO TIME (6) has been mixing distances but there was nothing wrong with his 3L BM60 win two back here at this trip on the slow. He's worth another chance at this level sitting at the bottom of the weights. GARROS (5) improved sharply missing 1L in the last Federal against the above two and didn't get it easy. Getting the extra 400m may be the query with him. BET: A good little contest. With Hilltop Hood.
Race 6 (1000m) CL1
It's not obvious who will lead after scratchings. WILFUL SOUL (8) won the Maiden here two weeks ago on the heavy and it was well-deserved. She did a big job finding the outside rail from the back and she won't lose anything with Loy going on. She can go on for the leading yard. LAST CHANCE DANCE (4) has won and placed the last two in the country and expect those to stack right up. The heavy shouldn't bother and the winkers go on. MR ALOYSIUS (5) raced favourite here first-up and reportedly didn't handle the heavy conditions. He's back for another go with some gear changes and sharp improvement wouldn't surprise. A raffle the rest. BET: Going with Wilful Soul to beat the favourite.
Race 7 (1000m) BM65
Genuine tempo with the speedy Vinci Lady leading the way. This is a very tricky sprint. AMERICAN SALUTE (4) was slow off and wide first-up at Gosford and did a good job beaten 2.5L. He'd presented off much stronger races than this and goes second-up. The in-form Loy rides for the Sydney yard and he looks a decent each-way chance if he manages the deep surface. THE UNKNOWN FACTOR (1) made the hat-trick here 28 days ago at this level winning comfortably again. They've been on slow ground and some trust is required in the heavy surface. They've elected not to take a claim but Bensley will run him along again and give the improving galloper every chance. MOORE EUROS (3) resumes and brings strong city form to the table. She won a recent trial by a big space and the wide gate is less of an issue given today's conditions. She could pop up here without surprising. OUR FINVARRA (10) made a ratings spike winning to 60 here two weeks ago finding the best ground out wide. Penza sticks and steers from the same low gate. He could easily repeat holding that form. BET: Backing American Salute each way.
Race 8 (1400m) BM60
Genuine early tempo with Sestina and Shenandoah candidates to lead from Say Goodbye and Larmour. Another tough form assignment. LARMOUR (5) resumes for a top local yard and brings strong slow track form over a middle distance. She finds easier grade and O'Hara's booking she will be ready to go this time around. She is up to this if the betting moves her way. Stablemate PECUNIARY INTEREST (1) resumes seeking the hat-trick and will also race over further. The claim helps in the weight department and it would be no surprise if Olive also has him ready to go. SHENANDOAH (10) was far too good winning the Maiden here before the spell and had some support but looked in need of the run resuming at Goulburn. McDougall is reunited today and the lightly-raced gelding can make sharp improvement for the ACT premier yard. SAY GOODBYE (6) improved sharply winning the CL1 here a month ago on the slow hitting the line hard from the back. That stacks up and he can be right in the finish at a good price. BET: Will back one or both of the Olive pair.
