Canberra Racing Review Friday 23 August

This was the last meeting on the Acton until next winter. It provided keen racing all day, with O’Princess’s win in the Federal the highlight.

Race 1 (1080m)

My Last Roadie was slow to begin. Boxing Bounded on jumping and raced wide throughout. GALAHAD’S QUEST ($2.90) took out the first coming off a sharp Sydney trial. He sat outside the other fancied runner MILAMOO ($2.80F), who led and had a length on him passing the 200m. Galahad’s Quest just got the upper hand on the line from a brave Milamoo and RUM CAKE ($8.50) fighting hard — with a gap to the rest. There was plenty of merit in all three runs.

Race 2 (1080m)

The two best backed, THE SWELL ($2.35F) and BEACH CLUB ($2.60) went quickly paired in front and it was evident before the turn that something would likely run over the top of them. That was IDEE ($17) who had sat behind the speed on the rail. He took the lead at the 100m and came away. It was a good effort by Beach Club to hold a clear second, given the work her did to sit outside The Swell in a pressure role. HYGIEIA ($6.0) looked some hope on turning and hit the line solidly in a promising debut for Nick Olive. Idee was coming off a 20 weeks spell and had shown nothing in his previous three runs, all at long odds. It was a good performance and he will win again based on that.

Race 3 (1080m)

Terra Reign, The Overdraft and Add Chan all met a bit of trouble after the start. NEWTOWN IS COMING ($9.50) resumed off a 7.3L Goulburn trial win and made the lead comfortably and was never headed. SNITZAGIRL ($4.80) sat on his flank most of the way and was strong to the line in second with GIRLS ARE READY ($7.50) catching the eye in third. ACTION SHALE (2.70F) sat behind the leader and was okay, but given every hope. He didn’t look entirely comfortable on the rail challenging, and don’t give up on him.

Race 4 (1900m Federal)

Punters didn’t want anything accept O’PRINCESS ($1.90) seeking the hat-trick and she proved much too good. Again she looked to hit a flat spot at the 200m, but she really knuckles down and came away from STRATUM’S ROSE ($6) who led from shortly after the start and raced a touch keen until after the 800m. PALAMEDES ($8) sat on her and didn’t see it out. O’Princess was given a lovely run behind the pair. Stratum’s Rose gave everything and GENTLE ANNIE ($4.40) ran on well in third. O’Princess clearly loved the Acton and it will be interesting to see where she goes from here.

Race 5 (1260m)

Yesteryear was slow to begin. Chuave was slow off and wide later. Magpie had to be eased off heels at the 1050m. The favourite FABULOUS FRAN ($2.25F) sped to a clear lead passing the 1000m from LIVE THE MOMENT ($7) who sat comfortably on the rail just off her. Fabulous Fran looked the winner at the 200m, but Live The Moment wound up and came away for an impressive first up win. Fran’s effort was very brave. WHO’S SHOUT ($9) and FAIRY BEAST ($14) both ran on well without threatening.

Race 6 (1750m)

Old Trafford drifted from $4.40 to $6.0 and was slow to begin and hampered after. He got too far back and the trainer advised he’d be spelled following a long preparation. The stewards questioned both jockey and trainer about the tactics adopted on Imanacheeva who shared the speed. They advised that in their view the rider should have ridden the horse more conservatively from the 800m when he took over. This looked very competitive on paper and that was reflected in the market. The winner YEPPOON ($7) sat midfield and the runner-up OPPOSITE ($8) raced forward of him, both enjoying the solid tempo. Yeppoon missed a nose at the previous meeting here coming home hard and pace-wise, things panned out for him again. Opposite had been around the mark and was brave in defeat. NIJINSKA ($4F) had good backing and hit the line well to be just pipped out of second. WALKINSHAW ($20) led and was pressured and then passed by IMANACHEEVA ($9). The former was in front at the 100m and there was a stack of merit in his improved effort.

Race 7 (1280m)

Reason To Smile began awkwardly. Larmour was held up until passing the 250m. Ninky Nonk was unable to obtain completely clear running until passing the 150m. Solar Shadow raced wide throughout and passing the 200m was contacted by Larmour which shifted out slightly. Ariake Fire on straightening had to be restrained when held up on the heels of Only Leonnie and was shifted out. There was a slow tempo early with the field bunched and after passing the 800m MOSS THE BOSS ($7) and GIRONDE ($11) paired in front. McDougal settled the winner EUROSAY (#5) back and came with a sweeping run to win by 1.56L from LARMOUR ($21) who impressed at her first run back. She only got clear of the pack at the 200m and finished it off like a good horse. Moss The Boss raced handy and led at the turn and stuck on well. The surprise favourite ADMIRE GRATZI ($3.70F) was allowed to settle last and had too much to do. Eurosay had come off a Maiden win and there’s more ahead for him if he can transfer his form to the grass. Race 8 (1280m) Gambler’s Quest was slow to begin, as was Bubbler. Secretary General raced wide throughout. The rider was questioned on the tactics employed on Costa Chin Chin, who pressed forward and then was caught wide. Eurosay’s dominant win in the previous read well for the chances of GLENLEIGH LAD ($2.60F), given he’s just pipped the gelding at the previous meeting. Connections elected to settle him back last off the wide gate and it paid dividends. He came two-to-one down the outside to and won as a favourite should. IS THAT SO ($2.90) led a moderate tempo and wasn’t overly pressured. He held off the third placed CINNAMON CLOUD ($61) comfortably. A few in this race didn’t get the best of it, but the winner impressed.