3 minute read

Terrific fields with a sprinkling of sharp Sydney gallopers. It’s the last Canberra meeting for the 2018-09 racing season. Nick Olive has the ACT trainers premiership sown up, but the jockey premiership is a ding-dong go.

Billy Owen is still out of action, but holds a two win lead over Kayla Nisbet, who would be come the first lady rider to take the title. She has seven rides and will be out to make every one a winner.  

Race 1 (1080m)

Tootz and Eve's Miss will be prominent from the jump. An even contest to open proceedings. No surprise if the Dryden pair prove the testing material. SUNEEZE (6) has the immediate form improving again when missing a nose 11 days ago at Moruya. She flies this course and trip and Ward can stalk with her from the rail. EVE'S MISS (3) creates plenty of interest resuming off a long break. She's performed on this track and owns a nice trial win. She will use the handy gate and the booking of high stable-striker McDougal suggests she's ready to go. TOOTZ (4) peaks now off three runs at Randwick on heavy tracks and wasn't beaten far two back. She's suited and gets her chance first time on the Acton. FARTHING WOOD (7) missed the hat-trick here 23 days ago on a track that wasn't suiting horses running on. She will get back again, but it wouldn't surprise if she came over the top of them with Miller back on. BET: Will look to back the Dryden pair. The market will tell plenty with the latter.

Race 2 (1080m)

Speculative how the field settles. A tricky Maiden with three acceptors from top Sydney yards. FOXY FREE (7) may be best of the two Waterhouse-Bott debutants. She's looked handy in two Randwick trials and expect a her to race boldly. RECRUITING TO WIN (2) resumes for Team Snowden and the latest Randwick trial was strong. She missed a whisker two back at Scone on debut in what proved a strong form race. GIRONDE (3) debuts for Nick Olive and is likely to be better then the trial suggests. BRONSON THE BEAT debuts owning a positive Hawkesbury trial. Like the above, he draws out, but needs to be kept very safe. BET: Like the two top selections and the market will be instructive.

Race 3 (1750m)

Imanacheeva will likely run them along. OPPOSITE (10) missed a lip this track and trip and then things didn't work out the same venue after. He gets a low gate today and looks tough to beat with Cahill sticking. STRATUM'S ROSE (8) was okay at Rosehill from the wide draw on the heavy, and then came to this trip at Wellington and got caught wide as a well-backed favourite. He peaks now and has the ability to take this out. OLD TRAFFORD (3) won here this grade and then ran into a placing at the last meeting when the pattern didn't suit. Like the above, he's a genuine hope if they can run on. THE TOWERS (4) wasn't far away here and then pulled in the run beaten 5L in third at Wyong in stronger than this. He has to be considered on the bounce with a good ride. BET: Opposite each way in a good contest.

Race 4 (1208m)

Prospero may be the one to lead. PROSPERO (1) had trialled well for Waterhouse-Bott and hit the line well on debut at Kembla. He will be better for that and shapes as the one to beat. KATATONIC (3) races well this track and improved again missing a lip at Goulburn two weeks ago. That stacks up and expect him to be right in the finish again. EUROSAY (2) resumes and is up to this at best. He goes well fresh and Ward is a positive booking. TERMINAL (4) resumed at Eagle Farm a month ago and worked home fairly. She was heavily-backed in this grade her first two runs and McDougal's booking is a positive. Keep very safe. NICOYA (8) is worth a look resuming for the Coyle yard. BET: Expect Prospero to be hard to hold out.

Race 5 (1280m)

Kuzco Lad can lead from Tiz War Bro. STANDFORTHE ANTHEM (2) trialled well and then sat handy just beaten at Goulburn on debut, heavily backed. He will use the handy gate and will take plenty of beating with the extra fitness. VICI (4) draws to advantage and is a Team Snowden improver who finished it off well second-up at Kembla. No surprise if he proves the danger. KUZCO LAD (1) is a Waterhouse-Bott stablemate to the top selection and he presents off a debut placing at Kembla when he led. Expect him to have more support today. CASINO TIME (6) surprised the market coming home hard to win this grade at the last meeting. He's certainly a chance repeating that. BET: Tricky. Standforthe Anthem, with a close eye on the market.

Race 6 (1750m)

Confidential Lad may lead from Badge Of Gameness. ISADORA TWINKLE (7) hasn't won for a while, but brings strong form to this race. She missed a nose this trip at Wagga coming hard and then found one better at Goulburn hitting the line again dropping back to 1400m. She will get back, but is a genuine hope if they can run on. SWEET KNUCKLE (4) won comfortably here from the back, and then was a bit plain as favourite at Goulburn. He's placed at this trip and expect it to suit now. CONFIDENT LAD (3) was heavily backed winning the CL1 here at the last meeting. He impressed in that and a repeat wouldn't surprise. BADGE OF GAMENESS is a bit in and out, but the Nowra run two back rates okay for this and a winning rider (McDougal) is reunited. He will race handy and could be the smokey. BET: Isadora Twinkle each way.  

Race 7 (1280m)

Bridyn May might be the one to lead a good tempo. Another very competitive Federal at 70 level. PRINCE JACKO (3) is hard to go past again after the two wins and near miss at this grade his last three runs. Did it comfortably as favourite the latest and McDougall is sure to give him a sweet ride again from the handy gate. ONS VIER (6) had a bit to do placing third behind the above in that race. He peaks now and gets another chance. MANZANA (1) led and placed second in the same contest looking the winner at the furlong. He cops a big weight again, but is going well enough to be very competitive. AIRFREE (8) is the new kid on the block presenting off a strong-rating first-up win at Nowra. She was beaten a lip three back at Randwick in a CL3 and has to be kept very safe. MAHALO (2) and EMERALD FORTUNE are others with claims in a good contest. BET: Prince Jacko will get all the favours and can win again.

Race 8 (1080m)

Hez Arrived, Fabulous Rain and Rosecraft can make the speed and there will be pressure from others. DRIFTER (1) raced handy winning impressively here first-up and then went to a CL2 at Gosford and was just beaten. He finds easier and can be winning using the rails draw. HEZ ARRIVED (4) was good on debut and then won the Cowra Maiden resuming as the market expected. His figures stack up and he gets the chance to go on with it from the handy draw. FABULOUS FRAN (5) won the Wagga Maiden as expected and then was favourite again at Corowa but got too far back. She will clear the gate okay and has claims racing at peak. EOKALIO (3) resumes for the new yard (Olive) and his best is good enough. Draws wide, but is speedy and a big market watch. BET: Backing Drifter.