Tuesday, 10 July 2012: This afternoon's Wellington meeting provides another opportunity for the lightly raced Our Canny Boy to add to his already impressive race record when he lines up in the Kitch's Hardware Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1100m.
 | Greg Ryan
Photo by Racing and Sports | |
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The four-year-old son of Canny Lad has been in sparkling form since resuming winning both starts this campaign. Fresh up he easily accounted for a class 2 field at Dubbo over 1020m defeating Hello Al then was equally as impressive last time out over today's course and distance in benchmark 60 company winning comfortably from Significant Other.
That bought Our Canny Boy's career tally to four wins from just five starts and champion country rider Greg Ryan who stays with him today has been aboard him all those runs.
Our Canny Boy rises in class this afternoon but does get significant weight relief dropping from 60.5 kilos to 55.0 kilos here.
A clear ratings riser and improver, Our Canny Boy should race forward again and take plenty of beating in what will be his stiffest test to date. He is the top rated selection on weight adjusted
Timeform 
ratings.
A horse dropping in class today that looks the main danger is Paul Theobald-trained Dragon's Keep.
This fellow has been racing consistently of late but last start found the 900m at Newcastle in no metropolitan win grade a shade beyond him.
Already a winner on the Wellington track, Dragon's Keep will be reunited with regular rider Ken Dunbar today and despite drawing an awkward barrier does look the main danger in this company.
The speedy Sutton Brave is another who deserves respect.
This well seasoned country galloper has been in great form of late and comes off an all the way win at Wyong in benchmark 60 grade over 1100m last time out. That win was full of merit as he was trapped deep in the lead but found plenty when challenged in the straight to just prevail.
Sutton Brave is also a Wellington track winner and from his inside barrier should be prominent for a long way.
Former Melbourne-trained Typeface and Hewentwhoosh look definite chances for the multiples.
Typeface has been racing well in much stronger grades than he faces today but would probably be better suited by a longer distance.
Now under the care of Andre Van Tonder, Typeface has not raced for 55 days when unplaced at Sandown over 1200m in heavy ground.
At his two runs prior both at Flemington he was not disgraced over 1200m and 1400m respectively.
On the fresh side today, Typeface is one to keep safe.
Hewentwhoosh also resumes from a spell but does have excellent fresh up form.
Last campaign he had a long preparation winning three races and placing four times from 13 runs in the last 12 months.
Fresh up last preparation he won over the 1100m distance of today's race but significantly this afternoon he will have the three kilo claim of Hannah Martin which will ensure he comes into the race with just a kilo and a half over the limit, quite a luxury for a horse with his record.
There is little doubt today's race will be a big test for Our Canny Boy but I expect him to get the job done again but as we have seen there will be several strong challenges in what looks to be an excellent contest.
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