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A big race day in Canberra featuring the $200,000 Community Chest. The Rail will be out 2m the entire and at 8.30 am the track was rated a Soft 5. There is some rain around and conditions need monitoring.
Canberra Racing Preview – Saturday 25 November 2023
Race 1
Maher-Eustace-trained SLUSH FUND (5) had support at Wyong first-up but needed the outing. He has more to give and the longer sprint suits. BRAZEN ARTIST (2) debuts for Annabelle Neasham and she's scratched the likely favourite. Has been a while coming to the races and has warmed up with a recent Rosehill trial. Draws well and must be respected. SPIACENTE (10) is also Sydney-trained and followed a plain effort on debut with a 2L Hawkesbury trial win. Gets two key gear additions and a soft track will benefit her. Quick improvement won't surprise. Still no jockey declared for the Maher-Eustace-trained LADY BOSS (9) and she remains in the field. The betting will guide to her chances v the stablemate.
Race 2
FINAL COMMENT (5) peaks for the Olive yard and has been around the mark at his last two. Has strong figures at the mile and draws for the run of the race. Tough to beat, STRATUM PRIDE (1) is sure to provide plenty of competition. Had good support here 18 days ago but was slow away and over-raced in the early and middle stages. Will present fully fit and it's hard to risk the Dryden yard at home. DREAM INHERIT (2) ran her best race winning the 58 at Wagga and then was caught wide in stronger in town. Fitter again and Billy Owen is on for the apprentice. Races handy and can't be ruled out. RELIABLE DUDE (3) resumes for a Sydney barn and has been in the money fresh. Keep very safe.
Race 3
Not much between the better ones. ALENIA (8) quickly found form after the switch to the Matt Dale stable when leading and winning the 58 at the Sapphire Coast. She's sure to have come on and has the gate speed to position handy with cover. Billy Owen sticks in the saddle and is riding plenty of winners. GEMINIDS (12) peaks off the near-miss here at this level. The local is sure to go close again. BIG IMPACT (9) was outgraded at Rosehill but just missed in a Nowra 66 prior and that stacks right up. Will cross-over and position on speed and should give a sight. WILKSHIRE (3) placed against the above at Nowra and then led and faded late at Taree in stronger than this. Will get every chance to bounce.
Race 4
TOES IN THE WATER (3) was beaten a neck here having her second race start and there was a stack of merit in the performance. She raced keenly in the early and middle stages and was three wide throughout. Is sure to have come on and keeps the handy 3kg claim. Promising and in good hands. GATCHAN (6) closed in fast with the above just beaten in the same contest. She's an improved galloper who's also a winning chance. ADOLPHUS (1) trialled well and was heavily bet at the Sapphire Coast on debut and didn't have the best of it. The Matt Dale barn clearly has an opinion. Bensley stays in the saddle and the Rubick gelding is worth another chance. GALAXY REIGN (5) resumed in the Toes In The Water race and made ground after a slow start. In the mix.
Race 5
A tricky race at 45 level. CARTOGRAPHY (4) resumes and no surprise if he's wound up for this contest. Finds easier with a handy 2kg claim and races forward. Any rain about would be right up his alley. ULTRAGIRL (8) is hard to catch but she's up to this at best and was tracking along okay before being caught wide at Gundagai in a CL1. Should secure a soft run from an inside barrier and is in well with the 3kg claim. On an 8-day return and respect the local barn. NEWTOWN IS COMING (5) is a veteran who keeps giving. Led and won here this grade three back and found one too good back here the latest over a shorter sprint. Has the 3kg claim and will use the rails gate. Must be considered. SHE'S JESSIE (1) is speedy and needed the first up outing in a CL1. Brought provincial form to that including a 2L Maiden win at Gosford when she led. The 4kg claim helps offset some of the weight rise and she will cross over and ride the speed. A chance if that's managed economically.
Race 6
BLUE AS BLUE (7) is in a leading Sydney barn and brings strong provincial form to peak. Was beaten 2.4L at Gosford 11 days ago jumping to this distance range and will race forward again from an inside barrier. Still a Maiden but is sure to take beating. Ditto DIVAZINO (8) who is also in strong Sydney hands. Will be better for the two runs this preparation over a mile. Was spelled off a Gosford placing over 1900m bet into even-money so is right up to this. Feared. JIMMY NAILS (2) will fly the local flag and has been threatening. May need to find a touch more but it's hard to risk the Dryden barn at home and Heywood's booking is a plus.
Race 7
There isn't a lot of early speed on paper. I'VE BEAN TRYIN' (6) delivered in the rich Barn Dance at Randwick and it was a big effort after settling rearward and racing wide after. No surprise to see him sit handier and he presents third-up. Big ticks at this track and distance. CAVALIER CHARLES (5) missed a whisker in the Big Dance belting home after an awkward start. Also likes this course/trip and will be at his peak. Must manage the outside barrier and that's the niggle. SUPARAZI (7) presents off his easy win in the Snake Gully Cup rating well. Built on the close-up effort at Bendigo prior and should be right in it. PEACE OFFICER (10) tumbles in weight and the Randwick win 2-back reads well. Must be considered. SUPER HELPFUL (3) was beaten just 2.6L in the Big Dance. Carries 7kg more today but may be the one they have to run down.
Race 8
YENDY (6) is a promising filly in a top metro barn. Won the Nowra Maiden on debut and then jumped in class at Goulburn comfortably winning a 66 heavily-bet. She will use the low barrier and can deliver again stripping fitter. SMOKESHOW (1) has raced in town all preparation and peaks in easier company. Is right up to this at best and should appreciate the longer sprint. LIGHT PRESS (3) didn't have much luck from the wide barrier at Randwick but was a big first-up winner here prior. She's won third-up and is in the mix. Expect improvement from CRUCIAL WITNESS (7) who performs second-up and has peak figures that would see her very competitive.
