3 minute read
Racing and Sports provide their selections for Canberra's first million dollar raceday!
Race 1 - 12:35PM: PFD FOOD SERVICES PLATE (1000m)
GETTY (1) has switched to the local barn since a narrow defeat over this course and distance when jumping favourite 72 days ago. Should be prominent from the inside draw and a strong rider like Owen to get the best out of him. Drops in weight today and can shed the maiden tag. MISS BAYLES (4) drifted in betting first-up at Hawkesbury and looked as though she needed the run when beaten 2.5L. Looks to be learning the craft still and the booking of McEvoy is a positive sign. Fitter now and a firmer deck are both positives. SLINKY (5) pulled up with issues following her debut effort and was sent to the paddock right away. Trials have been good coming in have been good and she's sure to make her presence felt. SUPER ZIPPI (6) did a lot wrong on debut, but looks to have come on in her break. Trials have been good and she's bound to be thereabouts. DESIROUS (8) was good last start when up on the pace and will be fitter for that effort.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Getty in the first.
Race 2 - 1:11PM: TAB FEDERAL RIHARNA THOMSON HANDICAP (1200m)
SNIPPETY STAR (3) has been off the scene for 8 months but trialled impressively at Goulburn recently. Has since joined the Potter yard and the blinkers go back on. Should jump to the front and take plenty of catching from the front. LAMBAY (5) is another making their stable debut, joining the Joseph & Jones barn since his latest run at Bendigo. No public trials coming in and the wide draw are the main concerns, but his debut prep suggested he wouldn't be a maiden for long. BLEDISLOE (2) showed good signs on debut and was put away straight after that effort. Form out of the race has been good and he trialled well around established horses much better than he faces today. Big chance. ACHESON (1) just missed at Wagga two back before tackling a Super Maiden at Warwick Farm last time out. Keep safe. LEVIS CRIMINALIBUS (6) looks best of the rest.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Snippety Star.
Race 3 - 1:46PM AIRCONDITIONING CANBERRA AND DAIKIN AUSTRALIA CAMARENA (1000m)
SECRET REVOLUTION (4) is the one to beat in the Camarena after a 1.2L defeat on the Kensington track last time out. Maps for a beautiful run once again for Sherry and he has beaten his main market danger twice already this campaign. Looks to have found his right race. MAJOR TIME (3) led them up on the Kensington track last time out and is better than what he showed that day. Should find the front from an inside alley with Tommy Berry replacing the apprentice hoop. Appears the main danger, but it's hard to see him turning the tables on Secret Revolution. POKERJACK (5) may not have come up last campaign but looks right on song judging by his recent trials coming into this event. Should be forward enough to feature but will have to be right up to his best on resumption. NO STATEMENT (2) rarely runs a bad race and can sneak into a place. FREE STATE (7) won well at Goulburn and may sneak into the finish.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Secret Revolution is the one to beat.
Race 4 - 2:23PM POLYTRACK HANDICAP (1600m)
Difficult race. KANGAROO COURT (1) has only been fair his first two runs this campaign but is a winner third-up previously. Only 8 starts into his career so he may be able to get back to his best, and he'll find this easier than his past couple. Can return to winning ways. REET PETITE (6) looks a mare on the way up, running over the top of her rivals to win comfortably at this course and distance. Continues to improve with every run and although the pace of the race is a concern, she might just be on an upward spiral. OWN THEM (3) ran over the top to win in his Australian debut after racing in Hong Kong. He was 40-1 there, but he was finishing strongly at the finish and getting out in trip looks to suit. Market hasn't missed him early, though he's sure to make his presence felt again. MISS LENORR (4) ran on well at Gosford last start and showed she had a nice turn-of-foot there. Include. JESSANDI (5) can build on a solid first-up effort.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Kangaroo Court can bounce back.
Race 5 - 3:02PM SEEARS WORKWEAR NATIONAL SPRINT (1400m)
The first of four features on the day. KINLOCH (3) dipped last start at Rosehill after being very good in his two runs back this campaign. Was scratched from a G3 at Newcastle to run here instead. He'll be back in the run, but if he can get back to the ratings he displayed earlier this campaign, he'll take plenty of beating. VRENELI (6) comes through the same race where he pulled up lame (1/5), but was still disappointing nonetheless. He has spiked second-up in his campaigns previously though and sets up to do just that this time. Beaten in this race last year but can get redemption in 2024. SUPERIUM (4) trialled well at Rosehill earlier this month and has been known to sprint well fresh in the past. Can be handy from the draw and if he's near his usual first-up ratings, he'll give a big sight. COIN TOSS (7) fronts up in the easiest race he's seen in Australia thus far. Hard to line up but it wouldn't surprise to see him win. SUPER HELPFUL (5) is the best local hope.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Kinloch goes on top.
Race 6 - 3:42PM TOOHEYS CANBERRA GUINEAS (1400m)
The Listed Canberra Guineas and THUNDERLIPS (1) is the one to beat. Back-to-back wins in town stack up nicely in this field, and suspect we haven't gotten to the bottom of him just yet. Can spear across to be prominent and will take plenty of catching. TUMBLING (5) was a big drifter first-up but ran on strongly in quick time. Strips fitter now and can be much closer from the inside alley for Marquand. Looks a progressive gelding and he can return to the winners stall. MISS AMORE (13) couldn't have done much more on debut, winning by 3.6L and was running away from her nearest rivals. Pitched into the deep end here, but respect the stable's opinion of her and she's an intriguing runner. PORT LOCKROY (4) may be looking for further already judging by his lead-up trials, but can be running on strongly at the finish. XIDAKI (3) got the maiden out of the way last start and has claims.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Thunderlips gets the nod.
Race 7 - 4:20PM JOHN MCGRATH AUTO GROUP BLACK OPAL STAKES (1200m)
The co-main event, the G3 Black Opal Stakes where FULLY LIT (1) looks the one to beat. Brilliant in his two runs this campaign including the Inglis Millennium last time out. Those ratings are right up to what it takes to win this event and he should be up front from a favourable alley. The one to beat. HOLMES A COURT (5) brings up good form from Victoria after running 2.8L behind Bodyguard most recently. Can stalk the speed under Tommy Berry and if the top pick is off his game, he'll be right there to strike. ODINSON (2) was okay in the Millennium and should be fitter for that effort. Likely to get back from the draw but can be storming home at the finish. KING OF ROSEAU (6) won the Clan O'Sullivan here in December and has been good in other 2YO features since. Keep safe. AMAZING EAGLE (3) is probably better than he's shown thus far and is worth including.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Fully Lit on top in the Opal.
Race 8 - 5:00PM TAB CANBERRA CUP (2000m)
Time for the Canberra Cup where DIAMIL (2) can bounce back following a disappointing effort in the Parramatta Cup a fortnight ago. He jumped favourite there on the back of an eye-catching first-up effort. Rates well for a race like this and his third-up form is superb. Can get back to winning ways. FAWKNER PARK (5) has a lovely profile for this race. He rattled home strongly over an unsuitable trip first-up and suggested he's ready to take the next step. Still looks a progressive type and can continue his upward trajectory. SO UNITED (3) just missed in the Parramatta Cup in what was a blanket finish. He'll make his own luck up front for Tim Clark and will be very strong at the finish. Blew the cobwebs out last start and can get the job done this time. REGAL LION (6) hasn't been at his best so far but his Ipswich Cup figure would see him right in the thick of things. LORD ARDMORE (4) is ticking along nicely and gets his chance today.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Diamil in the Cup.
BEST BET: Race 9 - 5:40PM AFFINITY CONSTRUCTIONS AUSTRALIA HANDICAP (1300m)
BIT OF BANTER (8) went under at short odds last start at Mudgee but I'm happy to back up with here in this event. Lightly raced and still on the way up, the form out of her debut victory has been great. Looks a nice horse in the making and can go one better this time. GUNDY GUY (4) has gone undefeated this campaign after winning by 1.3L at Wagga last time out. Form has already been franked from that run and he may be the one to take up the running in a race lacking speed. Can continue his unbeaten run. PENNYPACKER (3) couldn't hold on out in front last time out and suspect he'll be further back from the draw today. Now over 400 days between wins, but his best is good enough to feature. EMANCIPIST (1) was an impressive winner here last time out and is not to be discounted. HURRICANE ABLOWING (10) disappointed last start after two good runs to start the campaign. Worth keeping safe.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Bit Of Banter.
Race 10 - 6:16PM TAB WE'RE ON PLATE (2000m)
MORNINGTON PIER (7) ran right over the top of his rivals to win impressively 29 days ago at Newcastle. Looks a genuine staying type, so the rise to 2000m is no issue and he's nicely weighted here being a 3YO. Will be a long way back in the run but can storm over the top late to claim the prize. ADAGIO (6) prevailed in a good test of strength at Muswellbrook and wasn't stopping close to the line, running away to win by 2L. Will be up front making his own luck and Beuzelin strikes at 38% when riding for the stable. He's the main danger. WHATADILEMMA (5) was no match for Mornington Pier two back before a solid run at Hawkesbury most recently. He's rock-hard fit and with the formline through the top pick, he's expected to be right around the finish. VAGUER (4) stuck on well first-up after a long break and jumps right out to 2000m now. Worth including. HENLEY EXTREME (10) hasn't been far away in tougher company and is not to be discounted.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Mornington Pier can win the last.
