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Canberra Racing Preview Friday 9 August 2019

Race 1 (1206m)

Speculative how the field settles. GIRONDE (2) was back and wide on debut here, but caught the eye running home well. The extra trip suits and fitter expect him to take beating. RARE GEM (7) debuts and Matt Dale has a 20% winning strike rate with first starters. She’s trialled at Goulburn and expect her to race boldly off the low gate. TAKE ON MANHATTAN (3) is a debutant from a sharp Sydney yard and has had four trials dating back to January. The market needs to be monitored closely with him as well. BRENNAMAN (1) was last seen in the G3 Black Opal and didn’t get into it as the market expected. Draws out, but gets McDougall and a forward run wouldn’t surprise. BET: Gironde appeals with the race experience, but the market will tell plenty overall.

Race 2 (1280m)

Annie’s Gift is fast and can cross over and lead. FAST STRYKE (7) is an ex Victorian who just missed first-up for the new yard at the Sapphire Coast. He has more to offer and can use the low draw. POLYXENA (4) resumed at Grafton a month ago and was just beaten. She’s improved and will be very hard to beat with a good ride from the 4kg claimer. EMERALD FORTUNE (1) came hard winning the BM 70 Federal here two weeks ago in a return to form. Finds easier, but has to manage the big weight. ANNE'S GIFT (5) returned at peak winning at Nowra, and then was on speed again at Bathurst, but didn’t manage to see out the extra trip. Finds a bit shorter and gets high course striker McDougall and has to be given a chance. BET: Giving the nod to Fast Stryke.

Race 3 (1080m)

Expect Amiens, Flight Commander and Balkan Ruler to be prominent from the jump. FLIGHT COMMANDER (1) just missed resuming here off a long break as favourite and then was backed again at Goulburn but didn’t quite see it out. This trip and circuit suit better and he gets his chance with the extra fitness. AMIENS (5) debuts for Waterhouse-Bott and has trialled twice at Randwick. She is sure to run along and gets the blinkers applied. Will have ability and the market will tell the story. A tougher form assignment the rest. PERSISTENCE PAYS (6) is lightly raced and has shown enough to suggest he can make the finish if presented on song. COSTA CHIN CHIN debuts and is likely to be better than the trials suggest. McDougall’s booking interests. SPANISH RAIL (7) resumes and no surprise if she comes back better. BET: It looks the right race for Flight Commander. Wary of Amiens pre market .

Race 4 (1280m)

Eskimo Commander a likely leader from Successful Day. SUCCESSFUL DAY (4) won by a space here three back on debut and then got caught wide also heavily backed. Went to Albury after and was beaten 1L on the heavy track. She peaks now and, back home, gets her chance to break through. VELLICHOR (6) improved sharply winning the Maiden here at the last meeting and presents today for the Potter yard. She draws well and is a genuine chance to repeat. LADY TYCOON (5) has been good the two runs back and is an improver who can make the finish with a good ride. GUNGA DIN (2) resumes and will be very competitive if presented forward. Draws out, but gets the high-stable striker aboard.  

Race 5 (1900m)

Dezzy and Imanacheeva can make the pace. This is a very competitive race on paper. IMANACHEEVA (4) has been threatening to win but things haven’t been working out with the 4kg claimer up. He’s off today and McDougall takes over. He will push forward and no surprise if he goes close. OPPOSITE (10) hasn’t had the best of it since the near miss here two back. He gets the winkers again and another chance. REIGN OVER ME (7) was back to form placing behind Stratum’s Rose at the last meeting. Not sure where she gets to from the rail but expect her to be hitting the line. DEZZY (1) runs along and won the Maiden by a space at Wagga. Went to the mile after at Albury on the heavy, but snapped late. The blinkers come off and the winkers go on and expect him to be in it for a long way. BET: Imanacheeva each way.

Race 6 (1280)

Eurosay, Black Star Bowie and Plucky Chance will be prominent from the jump. EUROSAY (4) resumed off stronger and was good placing behind Vellichor this track and trip. Keeps Ward and has more up the sleeve. The on-pacer gets his chance. BLACK STAR BOWIE (1) brings strong form to his third race start. Was beaten a lip heavily-backed at Bathurst the latest and Lever sticks from that. He sits handy and is a genuine hope. BRENNAMAN (5) interests resuming off the Black Opal Stakes at Group level. Draws low with McDougall booked and keep a close eye on the market. SECRETARY GENERAL (6) resumes for the Vella yard with the blinkers applied first time. A forward run wouldn’t surprise. BET: This looks the right race for Eurosay. 

Race 7 (1750m)

Stratum’s Rose will likely lead again drawn handy. O'PRINCESS (5) is up in grade but couldn’t have been more impressive winning here two weeks ago. Sat handy and bolted in and keeps a low gate and the 3kg claim. She looks to have more to offer. STRATUM'S ROSE (7) was back to form winning the CL1 easily from the front on the same day. She’s a chance to repeat holding that. PALAMEDES (3) won over further at Narrandera and that rates well for this. Has to manage back 350m, but is in good hands and expect him to be right in the finish. GENTLE ANNIE (2) wasn’t bean far by the above in that race and then lost a plate in town. She’s been threatening and has to be considered. PERFECT RHYME (1) hasn’t done much in town since the strong Maiden win three back. This suits better and, first time this track, an improved run is on the cards. BET: With O’Princess.  

Race 8 (1080)

Sky Mission can lead from Action Shale and Eokalio. EOKALIO (6) raced handy and was tough winning the CL1 here resuming. He has got more to offer and rates to repeat with Ward using the rail. ACTON SHALE (5) is an Olive stablemate who is up to this at best. He goes well fresh and has the speed to sit handy. Keep a close eye on the market with him. FLIGHT ZONE (8) resumes for a Sydney yard and expect her to come back further improved. She has trialled well and the claimer can use the low gate. ADDCHAN (7) resumes off a strong 58 win and is another with a chance, if presented on-song. BET: Eokalio looks a good bet.