Canberra Racing Review Friday 20 September

They raced on a soft 6 and the track played fairly, with plenty of fancied runners saluting. Sausedge took out the Federal in style and was one of four winners on the day for Chad Lever -- who has taken a 5 win lead in the ACT Jockey Premiership.   

 

Race 1 (1400m)

 

A race with plenty of mentions in the post-race stewards report. A number were slow out or were bumped on jumping and Brodie Loy was suspended for his ride on Gambler’s Quest. Brennaman was slow to begin and raced below expectations. Trainer Keith Dryden could offer no excuses and expressed disappointment with the performance. Zelago over-raced and had nothing in the tank at the business end.

 

The money came for the Waterhouse- Bott-trained NAVY CROSS resuming as a gelding off city trials. However, it was the well-supported second-favourite GIRLS ARE READY who proved too good with the 4kg claimer engaged. She gave him a nice ride sitting in clear space behind a muddling speed, and she proved to good finishing over the top of GAMBLER’S QUEST, who had pulled on the slow tempo. SORRIDERE was prominent early, but was allowed to drift back and finished the race off well in third. NAVY CROSS was used up to sit outside the leader, and pulled for a bit. He stuck on okay and will have taken improvement. IDEE finished it off okay and may be looking for further.

 

Race 2 (1000m)

 

Five Star Miss, Swan Island, and Dalmatinka didn’t have the best of it on jumping. The rider of the well-supported Stand Your Ground said the filly did not travel at any stage of the event and the trainer could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance.

 

The debutant DALMATINKA took out the event presenting off a good trial. Scorse found a nice spot midfield and while still new, the mare was well managed by the hoop and finished the race off determinedly to just get up from SHADY DIAMOND and the favourite SWAN ISLAND. The latter finished the race off well and had her momentum slightly disrupted by the winner at the 100m. The effort of MAHJONG ROSE was solid. The winner looks a nice galloper and will have taken plenty of learning.

 

Race 3 (1000m)

 

Monte Majura missed the kick by 2L and Pinch Memory and Black Bacardi were also slow away. Exaggerate raced wide throughout. Connections were questioned about the disappointing run of Olifants, who raced keenly on the speed.

 

The winner and favourite POLAR STAR shared the lead and travelled sweetly throughout under the 4kg apprentice holding out the stout finishes of MONTE MAJURA and DAMAGIC. It was a gutsy effort from Monte Majura who settled last and made good ground on the rail to miss by less than a length. He will be improved and a win is close. It was a return to form by Damagic giving connections confidence going forward. Polar Star won well all the same and can go on with it.     

  

Race 4 (1400m)

 

A number were crowded or slow away on jumping: Moss The Boss, Waiheke, Away She Goes and Ultraviolet. Hercegovka raced wide throughout and Gotta Want It was held up in the early part of the straight, before coming away with the win.

 

It was an open race on paper and so it proved. GOTTA WANT IT sat beautifully positioned on the rail just behind the speed which was shared by MOSS THE MOSS. Gotta Want It really pinned her ears back when obtaining a clear run and just prevailed in a ding-dong go with Moss The Boss. WAIHEKE, AWAY SHE GOES and JELLIES all finished the race off strongly coming down the centre and are honourable mentions.

 

Race 5 (1300m)

 

Relatively cleanly run compared to a few earlier races.

 

BULLET RAIDERS looked one of the better bets on the programme and gave supporters a few anxious moments before nabbing the second favourite TIME STAMP right on the line. Time stamp lead uncontested and Bullet Raiders stalked right behind. Time Stamp held a clear lead at the 200m, but Bullet Raider kept coming and the bold striding galloper took the race by a whisker, with a gap to the rest. Both gallopers will be improved off the runs and can be followed with confidence.   

 

Race 6 (1200m)

 

Not too much to report out of this event on the stewards front.

 

There was an inordinate amount of scratchings opening the door wide open for the impressive last-start winner, MADAM OAKS. She worked over to the lead and was cuddled up. She let down beautifully in the straight to win comfortably from RHEINGAU and WOOLLAHRA LASS  who were both prominent in the run. Hard to find excusses for the others. Madam Oaks made the transition off a dominant Maiden win and her racing style should ensure she wins more.

 

Race 7 (2000m)

 

Great Glen, Confidential, Chief Kidder and Hilltop Hood all met some trouble on jumping.

 

This promised to be a well-fought-out BM 64 over the middle distance and so it transpired. The well-backed second-favourite SWEET KNUCKLE worked over to lead and travelled comfortably under McDougal. The favourite HILLTOP HOOD sat one off the rail behind the on-pace bunch also travelling comfortably. Sweet Knuckle put a gap on them straightening and looked the winner until Hilltop Hood emerged down the centre nabbing the former right on the line. GREAT GLEN was close-up hitting finishing well from CHIEF KIDDER who made good improvement. LOST COMMAND’S  effort also had merit.  

 

 

Race 8 (1200m)

 

Sugar Bat Leonard was slow away and Revitup Rednut was held up in the early part of the straight. Te Ata was a surprise leader and the rider said he was a victim of circumstances and that explanation was accepted by stewards. Eve’s Miss' rider said his mount blundered twice rounding the home turn. Acton Shale’s rider said the gelding’s performance was disappointing and no excusses could be found.

 

Plenty wanted to be part of the early action with Te Ata and Eve’s Miss pairing off at the 800m. SAUSEDGE started a well-supported favourite and settled back before peeling out on turning and made up many length to win in style from DENMISS and SUPREME LAD who caught the eye in defeat, particularly the former who came from a long way back beaten less than a length. Sausedge had these covered and is worth following.  

 

Race 9 (1600m)

 

Vellichor, Reign Over Me, Majella and Street Cred were all slow to begin. War Deck and Ancient Times raced wide throughout and Who’s Shout was held up in the early part of the straight.

 

MAJELLA raced favourite and confirmed the merit of the Maiden win at Newcastle. MISS ANABANANA and TRAPPER TOM shared the speed as expected with Majella in the perfect spot railing just behind. The mare challenged the former after straightening and quickly got her measure winning comfortably with Who’s Shout running into third. STREET CRED was doing his best work late and is one to keep an eye on. All honours with the winner who keeps improving.