3 minute read

It's the final meeting on the turf track at Canberra for the 2019/20 season. Fields are strengthened with the participation of leading Sydney yards and everyone should get their chance with the rail in the true position.

Race 1 @ 12:30pm Seears Workwear Handicap (2000m) 

ECHO LAD (7) gets his opportunity. He's been going well without winning of late. Hit the front too soon off a wide run at Newcastle last start and was left exposed to be run down, which is exactly what happened. Back to CL1 conditions and he really needs to stand up and be counted today. No excuses. CASINO TIME (6) is racing well for Gratz Vella. Past couple when placing have been terrific. Lost sight of the bunny at Albury last time out but his closing sectionals were terrific. Week turnaround and a query at the trip are some negatives but with the same application to what he's been going recently and he's going to be in the finish. OUTAHAND (3) is still on the up. Bounced back to form with a strong placing over the mile here last start. Gives the impression the 2000m will suit. Will be presented with his chance down the outside. STREET CRED (5) has a plain winning strike rate. Solid without threatening here most recently but the severe increase in trip is a negative. SUGGESTED PLAY: D-day for Echo Lad.

Race 2 @ 1:05pm XXXX Gold Handicap (1200m)

Will run along in this. PREMIER ROSE (4) has the exposed form on the board. Not sure how she didn't break the maiden last preparation but she found a way. She's quite versatile in where she settles however from the good alley you wouldn't expect her to be too far from the pace. The one to beat. HINVICTUS (3) was in the market when producing a solid third here on resumption. Was never going to win the race but he tried hard. Slightly firmer footing should be ideal. Big threat. FIGHT FOR LOVE (8) was a beaten favourite on a few occasions last prep. Competitive in this grade on multiple occasions and the spell would've done her good. Watch the market with McDougall in the saddle. SUGGESTED PLAY: Premier Rose goes on top.

Race 3 @ 1:40pm Affinity Electrical Technologies Plate (1400m)

LE GAI SOLEIL (10) should take a power of beating. No disgrace running third on debut at Gosford back in December last year. Her SP in that much harder race suggests she's got nice talent and the form through it has been very good. Taken along slowly by John O'Shea. Her two trials at Randwick recently have been crisp. Will get further in time (1400m first-up today) being by Tavistock but class should take her a long way in this. CHIEF GERONIMO (1) is a fellow Sydney trained horse who will win races. Strong grounding with five trials to learn the ropes. Wide alley and the jockey booking are questionable but he'll attract plenty of market respect and rightly so. SUPER DANCER (7) has the runs on the board. Showed a clean pair of heels at Wyong on debut but he folded up late. Did a few things wrong at his start following that too. If he can settle and get into a rhythm he shouldn't be forgotten about, especially back to this grade. Blinkers applied. MOSSY OAK (3) is a place chance. SUGGESTED PLAY: Le Gai Soleil holds the aces. Backing accordingly.

Race 4 @ 2:15pm TAB Federal (2000m)

Expecting a solid tempo. D-day for SHE'S A TREASURE (3). She's been terrific in three runs this campaign for the Dale stable. Well fancied at Wagga last start and looked home all bar the shadows. Winner of that Express Courier is on a winning frenzy at the moment. Happy to trust that form. We now know she can run the trip and with blinkers on they mean business. No excuses. ROSEBANK (5) is the obvious threat but can she run 2000m. Brief glance at the formguide and it's clear Luke Pepper has this mare in tip top shape. Assault'n'bathory ran them into the ground last start but she made good ground. Well weighted and if she can run the trip, she'll give this an almighty shake. HILLTOP HOOD (4) likes it here at Canberra. His run last start suggests he hasn't finished winning races. Drawn to settle a pair or two closer. Should have the drop on them coming around the bend. LARMOUR (7) won a weaker race last start. Each-way claims. SUGGESTED PLAY: She's A Treasure.

Race 5 @ 2:55pm John McGrath Auto Group Handicap (1400m)

AWAY SHE GOES (2) looks the testing material. Game in defeat with 62.5kg at Wagga last start when the rider almost pinched it going for home a long way out. Bonny mare who never runs poorly. Track stats are solid and with a slight weight relief she's a strong winning chance. ROCQUETTE (6) took up the lead and was not for catching here last meeting. They've found the way to ride her now. Back to the mile is no issues and she'll give a bold kick again. DAMAGIC (4) was a deserving winner at Moruya last start, holding off the late challengers. Third placing behind Leg Work prior is strong form. Racing well and on the home track should be respected. DUCHESS OF WINDSOR (3) has enough talent to win this but she can be her own worst enemy. Raced over the longer distances last preparation and was good in doing so. Watch the market. MILAMOO (9) is a consistent type. Not the worst. SUGGESTED PLAY: Going with Away She Goes.

Race 6 @ 3:35pm TAB Long May We Play Handicap (1000m)

Expecting a solid tempo. POLAR STAR (2) has a sense of timing about his chances. Right from the time he finished third on resumption at 30-1 to his fifth in town last start he's been applying himself well late in his races. Will still need to lump the 61kg even after the claim but he's clearly got the best form in the race. This is the right level for REVOLVER (5). Two runs back have been rock solid. Gets a suck run throughout and if the splits come he can win. NEVADA DANE (3) is a tough on-pacer who scored a deserving win on the home track most recently. On the week turnaround and he'll make his own luck on the pace. CALESCENT (6) was in the market but disappointed in some Highways last time in. Good overall record and should be kept safe with Nisbet in the saddle. SUGGESTED PLAY: Polar Star picks himself. 

Race 7 @ 4:10pm Elvin Group Handicap (1200m)

Expecting a solid tempo. Good race to end the day. NUREMBURG CASTLE (2) is on the up. Terrific on debut off a wide run and backed that up by getting the money at Goulburn. Certainly no prizes for finding him that day (jumped $1.30) but he did have to overcome a few hairy moments in the run. Looks certain to make the grade and he should be hard to beat. ROCKETING TO WIN (4) broke the maiden at start twelve here last start. The win was dominant and he has since been freshened. Respect anything the stable saddle-up down here, especially one who was a last start winner at the track/distance. KIMMYLEE (5) is an improver second-up. Displayed a level of promise last campaign and while her return here was unsatisfactory, she now has a fitness edge. GLORIOUS DREAM (11) was a class above at Wagga last start. She's got good scope and should be chiming in at the right time. SUGGESTED PLAY: Nuremberg Castle gets the nod.

Best Bet: Race 3 no 10 Le Gal Soleil 
Next Best: Race 1 no 7 Echo Lad