Sunday, 8 July 2012: Racing at Canberra this afternoon will be on the all weather Acton surface and the Joseph-Jones racing stable looks set to lead in another winner courtesy of Candy Tuff who will contest the Class 2 Handicap over 1080m.
 | Barbara Joseph
Photo by Racing and Sports | |
|
The lightly raced three-year-old daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar has been patiently handled by the mother and son training partnership of Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones, racing just three times to date but finishing in the money on each occasion.
The filly won in maiden class over 1100m on debut at the Sapphire Coast before stepping up in class at Canberra for a strong second over 1200m behind Signoret.
Spelled after that, Candy Tuff reappeared 16 days ago on the Acton track in a similar race to the one she contests today.
Looking much more mature and developed, Candy Tuff settled third the fence before taking the lead just after turning for home. Without a barrier trial going into the race her lack of racing came against her in the final stages wilting to run a close fourth behind Playa.
I am expecting that run to have bought Candy Tuff on significantly fitness wise and she looks ideally placed to return to the winner's list this afternoon.
Leading rider Brendan Ward who has ridden the filly in all three of her races to date retains the mount and from barrier two she should get the run of the race.
Top rated on weight adjusted
Timeform 
ratings, Candy Tuff is the horse to beat.
Another three-year-old filly Ice Cold Crownie looks well placed and represents the main threat to Candy Tuff on ratings.
This afternoon will be her fourth run back from a spell and after the claim for Lachlan Pillar she comes in nicely treated with a half a kilo under the limit weight.
Ice Cold Crownie won fresh up this campaign at Wagga in this class before failing in very heavy going at the same track next start. Last time out she dropped back in distance to 920m at Moruya and did not have the best of luck getting further back than she normally does in her races before running on well after covering ground on the home turn.
This afternoon she drops back from class 3 company and will find this race much easier. Although an unknown on the Acton all weather she does look very well suited.
Another who is untried on the all weather is Rules Point, a three-year-old gelding with upside for this race.
To be ridden by Jeff Penza, Rules Point comes into the race second up from a spell, after a handy effort when resuming at Wagga in slow ground in open three-year-old class beaten just under four lengths.
Rules Point will be much fitter this afternoon and tumbles three and a half kilos coming into this race.
He is likely to be at good odds and is a must for the multiples.
The top weight Buttsworthwhile is the class galloper of the field but may not take his place in the race.
If he does, then he is a must include amongst the winning chances. Fourth up this afternoon, the Terry Robinson-trained gelding brings some good form lines into the race.
He won fresh up at Canberra over 1200m in class 1 company under 60kgs before going under narrowly at Nowra with 60.5kgs in class 2 company. Then last start he was fifth behind Playa on the Acton track, Candy Tuff fourth in same race, after being joint leader to the turn.
Enjoy an intriguing completive race, but I am staying with Candy Tuff as the horse they all have to beat.
Ends...
