Acton Track specialist Polyxena out to capitalise in TAB Federal

Rob Potter will be hoping to take full advantage of the successful return of the Acton Track when his talented mare Polyxena steps out in Friday’s TAB Federal (1206m).

Polyxena who excels on Canberra’s synthetic track will be looking to add to her stellar record of two wins and a second placing from just three starts on the Acton Track and her Trainer Rob Potter thinks she is a great chance to do so.

“She ran well last start on the wet ground, which she doesn’t like” Potter said. “So back to her favourite surface, I really like her chances.”

“She’s back to 1200m here which is going to suit her and although she’s drawn poorly (barrier 14) I don’t think that’s going to hurt her.”

Apprentice jockey Damon Budler is engaged to ride Polyxena and will be keen to continue his recent rich vein of form.

Friday’s TAB Federal will feature a full field including Keith Dryden’s Dream Runner. The four-year-old gelding who started favourite in a TAB Highway in just his third race start will be awfully hard to beat should he emulate the form of his first preparation.

Dream Runner will be piloted by Billy Owen and will have to overcome a sticky gate in barrier 12.

The TAB Federal is Race Six on the program and is due to jump at 2:55pm

Earlier in the day, multiple Canberra Trainers Premiership winner Robert O’Sullivan will be memorialised with the Bob O’Sullivan Handicap (1750m). The Benchmark 65 contest will see a couple of local last start winners in Gratz Vella’s Casino Time and Len Hodgson’s Diamond Class go head-to-head.

Trainer Gratz Vella started his career working for Robert O’Sullivan before and after school and will be eager to win the race named in his mentor’s honour. The Bob O’Sullivan Handicap is Race Five on the program and is scheduled for 2:15pm.

 

Picture: Polyxena winning on the Acton Track in August 2019. Photo credit: Bradley Photos