3 minute read
The Canberra Racing Club waste no time springing into action post Xmas festitives, hosting a very healthy nine race program this Friday. A strong contingent of gallopers from leading Sydney stables are bound to make their presence felt, particularly in the quaddie legs. We race on a Good 4 with the rail slightly out (4m) for the entire.
Race 1 @ 1:00pm: John McGrath Auto Group Handicap (1000m)
Charming Pat (1) gets his chance. Holds the race experience on his rivals and that itself should take him a long way. Down the track but not disgraced in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick last start. Debut here prior when chasing home subsequent Wyong Magic Millions winner Farnan was a solid effort. Clearly has the right form. Small field gives him no excuses. SHOWTIME LADY (5) looms as a threat. Trialled well at Hawkesbury in readiness for this. Inside draw is ideal for a horse still learning. Has the booking of McDougall. Big watch. SHE'S SO READY (4) for Joe Cleary. Her trial recently was solid enough to be given a chance here. SPICY RESTAURANT (2) back in grade can be an improver. SUGGESTED PLAY: Charming Pat with the exposed form. Backing to win.
Race 2 @ 1:35pm: Jacko's Pizza Handicap (1000m)
American Salute (1) is the one to beat. Prepped up well for this off two sharp trials. Overall record should read better, especially in the win column. Competitive in much better races last time in. Pays for his consistency with the 62.5kg however expect him to take plenty of beating in this line-up. MAJOR TIME (4) has returned in good order. Looked the winner before Who's Shout had other ideas here last meeting. Peaking third-up. Wouldn't need to improve much on recent form to go close. CARRUTHERS (2) is a hard one to catch. Third in a deep race at Moruya before a spell. Given plenty of time by Norm Gardner. Can gallop on his day and the booking of Budler gets the weight off. Watch market. BRIGHT IDEA (3) for the multiples. SUGGESTED PLAY: American Salute gets the nod.
Race 3 @ 2:10pm: R.Moir Signs Handicap (2000m)
Superhombre will make the lead his own.Sepulchre (3) goes on top. She won with such authority here last start. Ridden stone cold seemed to do the trick. Going from strength to strength this time in. Interestingly, Sweeney jumps off to ride Ten Tigers but Loy himself also has a good record aboard her. Should be hard to hold out. SUPERHOMBRE (4) will have a good headstart on her turning for home. He bounced back strongly at Newcastle following his $1.40 hiccup at Queanbeyan on debut prior. Strong win when there to be beaten at the furlong. Has the Waterhouse/Bott polish. Will stay all day by the looks. LE CAVALIER (1) was placed to Sepulchre last start. Drawing inside is the worst possible result but he's always a place chance here on the home track. SATIRICAL KNIGHT (2) next best. SUGGESTED PLAY: Sepulchre to win again.
Race 4 @ 2:45pm: Oldmate ACT Handicap (1600m)
Charm Maker will inject good speed from wider out. Supreme Lad (7) is ready to win. Back to form with a strong showing from well back here last start. He's got a strong final furlong if the speed is true this horse. Inside draw isn't ideal but if they fan and he gets the run expect him to take a power of beating. Brock Ryan knows him well. CHARM MAKER (9) should lead with the blinkers on. Narrowly beaten at Nowra three weeks ago. Still on the up. Hard fit and proved last start he can run the trip. EDEN VALE (4) third-up can sneak into the placings. Struggles to win often given how far back he settles. Guymer knows him well. One for the exotics. DEFY (5) for the exotics. SUGGESTED PLAY: Supreme Lad gets the nod.
Race 5 @ 3:20pm: The Duxton At O'Connor Handicap (1400m)
Expecting a genuine speed. Chenin Blanc (8) should go close. Anything the Snowden's put a saddle on down here seems to win without much fuss, that can continue with this Hallowed Crown filly. She was ultra impressive winning her latest trial at Randwick. Well educated by the team. Blinkers applied and they mean business. DIP ME LID (4) is a good chance. Honest conveyance last time in. Taken along slowly by the Dryden stable. Will have admirers but may've found one city horse a bit too classy. GEORGINA GOLD (14) improved into the placings at Hawkesbury last start. Hard to catch but that effort gives her a chance. Will be on speed. LORD TROPICANA (3) may need further. Solid on debut in an inferior race. SUGGESTED PLAY: Chenin Blanc for the win.
Race 6 @ 3:55pm: Elvin Group Handicap (1200m)
Will go quick in this. Do Not Disturb (12) draws pole for her debut. Bred in the purple by Fastnet Rock x Breakfast In Bed. Sharp trials in readiness. This isn't a weak race all the same but if she wants to make it in the racing game, she should be mighty hard to beat. Stablemate RIVERSIDE'S CASH (7) was down the track at Rosehill on debut. Had plenty of time off the scene. Gelded. Would improve on whatever he does today but should have enough class to run well. SPANISH BEAUTY (14) made up a stack of ground on debut at this track last start. McDougall sticks and with a closer position in running she can finish into the minor money. UPRISE (1) was provincial placed twice last campaign. Certainly not out of this. SUGGESTED PLAY: Some promising horses here. Going with Do Not Disturb.
Race 7 @ 4:35pm: Ainslie Laundrette Plate (2000m)
Superhombre will run them along. Superhombre (5) is a dual acceptor so monitor that. He bounced back strongly at Newcastle following his $1.40 hiccup at Queanbeyan on debut prior. Strong win when there to be beaten at the furlong. DUCLAIR (10) was brave in defeat behind the talented Diamonds In Rust at Canterbury last start. That form is superb for a race like this. Sticky barrier but hard fit fourth-up and should cause a few headaches for Superhombre. STREET CRED (2) got the chocolates this track/distance a month back. Will need luck from the rails draw but he doesn't know how to run a bad race. ZARAFAH (6) should've beaten Street Cred home. She likes it here. Will be running on. SUGGESTED PLAY: Superhombre is entered for two races. Gets the nod here.
Race 8 @ 5:15pm: TAB Federal Handicap (1400m)
A few of these like to roll along. Balonne (7) chased hard behind a smart horse here last meeting. He'll appreciate getting to the 1400m. Ticking over well. Hard to beat if he can maintain form. UPPER HOUSE (4) was third in the Ted Ryder Cup prelude at Wagga most recently. Drops back in grade/distance. Stylish winner prior to that defeating two subsequent winners. Ticks all the right boxes. Should be competitive. NICCONITA (2) bounced back to form with a win at the Sapphire Coast last start. Talented mare on her day. Will be finishing off. HIGH DUDE (5) a distant next best. SUGGESTED PLAY: Balonne is ready. Backing to win.
Race 9 @ 5:55pm: Glen Mia Handicap (1300m)
Uzbekistan should run along. Uzbekistan (15) was subject to some big betting moves at Queanbeyan last start and he was able to justify it, winning by a head. Still holds plenty of scope. Good rider booking with Cahill now aboard. Rolls along and makes her own luck. Oddly back in trip but still should take plenty of catching. CAP'S BOY (7) won well on debut at Moruya. Had four months off the scene. No doubt a talent and it'd be interesting to see what he does here. Watch market. BLUE TATTOO (10) with blinkers applied can bounce back to winning form. Race with plenty of chances. SUGGESTED PLAY: Uzbekistan to win again.
