Canberra Racing Preview Sunday 17 November
The rail is in the true position and played fairly on Melbourne Cup day. In Race 3 seven gallopers have accepted in the 3400m staying marathon and expect a few tired ones at the end of that. Competitive racing, more especially later in the card.
Race 1 (1000m)
Farnan is likely to run the field of debutants along. FARNAN (2) is city-trained and brings a strong Warwick Farm trial win. Profiles like the winner. STAGECOACH MARY (5) owns a solid Warwick Farm trial and expect her to be ready to go. CHARMING PAT (1) looked to have ability when he trialled at Wagga and gets the rail and the blinkers first time and a form rider is booked. The market will be instructive.
Race 2 (1000m)
Raven’s Rabbit can lead from the rail. TESTING TIMES (10) debuts off a string of city trials and there was only a nose in it the latest. Draws to advantage with a high course striker booked and she can win if the money comes. RAVEN'S RABBIT (5) led and impressed just missing on debut and then was very plain fading out of it as favourite at Wagga. The former US filly is in good hands and a bounce won’t surprise on the 29 day return. CASIARD (2) won a trial and then missed a lip on debut as favourite. She looks promising and has to be considered. BRUSSELS (1) is ready to win and was scratched for this on Melbourne Cup day.
Race 3 (3400m)
A number can race handy over the marathon trip. Most will have to be taken at trust. BY DESIGN (2) rates well and has raced in the city the last three. The latest was his best at the two miles and he’s likely to get the trip better than most. DEXLUTHER (3) won over a middle distance at Goulburn at 58 level before racing on-speed again and fading late the same venue over 2850m. He may be ridden more conservatively today and see it out better. GENTLEMAN MAX (1) is back from a solid effort at Rosehill and is the best performed galloper in the race. Jumps considerably in trip and that’s the big question mark. Is fit and honest and doubt the stable would have him here if they didn’t think he’d go well. ZOEY LASS (4) is racing well and found one much too good at Wagga over two miles. Saw off the rest and she has to be considered a chance. The market will be interesting.
Race 4 (1200m)
Territorial and Halliday look the pair to run them along. TE ATA (3) peaks and comes back in grade. Has generally been disappointing, but has the ability and Lever’s booking suggest she’s pleasing. She gets her chance from the handy gate. UPPER HOUSE (4) resumed at Rosehill in stronger and finished it off well after a slow start. He always needs a good ride but looks a genuine hope with the extra fitness. BALLISTA (5) has won his last two and made a ratings spike the latest. Has never gone better, but running out a strong 1200m is the query. TERRITORIAL (6) just missed here resuming behind Caccini and will be fitter. He has strong figures, but hasn’t placed in five tries at this trip.
Race 5 (1200m)
Swidini, Milamoo and Michael Oscar will be prominent from the jump. THE DREAM GIVER (1) won the Maiden as expected before spelling and is sure to come back improved. He has to manage a wide gate but will be well ridden and this looks winnable. SWIDINI (3) just missed this grade second-up from the front and has more up the sleeve. Keeps Ward and will be hard to get past. BETTER NOT RAIN (12) made sharp improvement winning the Nowra Maiden by a space. She’s a genuine hope if she can hold that figure. LET ME GUESS (9) was taken to Tumut for a Maiden kill and delivered by 8.5L. He hadn’t missed by far the one before at his first run for the Olive yard, and although Ward gets off, he shouldn’t be far away.
Race 6 (1600m)
Tresse D’or and Mr Costigan look capable of making the speed. WAIHEKE (3) has been threatening for a while and got to within 1L here the latest heavily-backed. He has to come back to the mile but will be hitting the line and this looks his chance. DIAMOND CLASS (6) won the Maiden this track by a space and then bumped into a smart one but covered the rest. She keeps the 3kg claim and will go close up to the mile. TRUST THE PROCESS (4) impressed winning the Maiden here third-up and expect that to stack up. He will use the low gate and he looks to have more to give. TRESSE D'OR (2) comes back in grade and is going well enough to fill a spot.
Race 7 (1600m)
It’s not clear-cut who runs them along. LOLITA GOLD (8) couldn’t have been more impressive getting up to beat Monte Majura here 12 days ago. She peaks now and doubt the grade rise will stop her winning again. SUPREME POLARITY (5) was much better at Wagga second-up in Open grade and has more to give. Draws to advantage and Penza is a key booking on the Olive galloper. ONS VIER (6) has been knocking on the door and gets Lever who’s been riding plenty of winners her. Nothing wrong with her figures but she hasn’t been able to place at the mile in four goes. SCREAMARR (3) resumed in town and got back off a wide gate. The mile suits him better and the in-form McDougall is booked. He could win this at best, but needs to find it. Expect improvement.
Race 8 (1300m)
Galdocino can lead from Mohahna, Maggies Girl and Regimental. AMEARES (6) improved sharply second-up missing a half head at Goulburn surprising the market. That reads very well for this and just has to hold the figure to take beating. DANNEVIRKE LAD (3) resumes off a provincial placing and expect him to come back improved. Draws out, but Lever is a key booking and the market will be instructive. MOHAHNA (1) missed a half length at Wagga on debut and then placed here 12 days ago as favourite behind the promising Inceptive. Expect her to clear the wide gate okay, and no surprise if she breaks through with the extra fitness. MAGGIE’S GIRL debuts for a leading Sydney yard off two solid trials. Get the blinkers applied and is likely to cross over to the speed. The market will certainly tell with her.