Canberra Racing Review Friday 6 September

The first meeting back on the grass with four favourites winning on the day. The highlights were first-up win of I Am Kalani in the Federal and the brave performance of Dambulla in the last, after giving his legion of supporters heart palpitations half way down the straight.   

 

Race 1

 

Gambler’s Quest was held up at the turn and early in the straight. He carried 1kg over. Maya Miracle was well beaten and the jockey believed the filly would appreciate longer distances.

 

The scratchings shredded the field. EXOTIC DEEL was the one they wanted starting a $1.70 favourite and had every chance sitting outside another debutant ART CADEAU on the speed. The latter was a bit keen early, but showed good fighting qualities to win by 0.3L. The other two were well beaten.   

 

 

Race 2

 

Chief Kidder raced keenly and was steadied to avoid heals at the 1000m. There was a change of riding tactics for Mr Trump who raced outside the leader and weakened out. Things didn’t work out for Stratum’s Rose who was forced to race wide after being slow away. The rider was questioned regarding the tactics. Quick Spin missed the start by 2L and wasn’t suited by the slow pace.

 

The money came for SWEET KNUCKLE $2.80F who was given a sweet ride by McDougal trailing on the rail behind the leader. The gap came early in the straight and he hit the line well to hold off a determined late go by SENSACOVA $7who sat back before coming into it wide before the turn. STRATUM’S ROSE was asked to do too much and did well to run into third.

 

Race 3

 

Costa Chin Chin met some trouble near the 500m. Brennaman raced wide without cover throughout and was unable to be ridden right out over the concluding stages. Disco Diva was hampered early and had to be steadied at the 150m. .   

 

AESOP’S FABLE started a $3.0 favourite and proved far too good. He worked to the lead and settled well without pressure. The filly came away to win easily from CADENCE who looked to have every chance sitting behind the speed. The winner can go on. COSTA CHIN CHIN finished it off well in third and BRENNAMAN had no hope the way the race panned out. He’s worth sticking with.

 

Race 4

 

Vin Du Jour ran a well-supported $2.80F and dropped right out after leading. A post-race vets examination revealed no abnormalities and the stewards advised they would follow up on the mare’s post-race condition and future race plans. GLENLEIGH  LAD $4.20 also disappointed and the jockey said his mount failed to let down on the grass after strong runs on the synthetic. Uber Lux and Idee met trouble at the start.

 

 

The winner ARITHMETIC $10.0 had a lovely run one out behind the speed and took over after turning and just held out WAIHEKI $8 who sat behind him and finished it off well under the urgings of the 4kg apprentice. He’s knocking on the door. BLEVIO $20 hit the line well from a long way back in an improved effort. CHIEF Of ARLINGTON was at long odds but caught the eye late and the stewards inquired into the race tactics employed.

 

Race 5

 

Nevada Sunrise $4.60 ran favourite in an open contest and finished at the tail of the field beaten more than eight lengths. The jockey reported that the gelding raced keenly in the lead and was not assisted when Zuzzudio improved to race outside him near the 100m. He had nothing left in the tank, weakening badly over the last 100m. The trainer advised the horse would be spelled. Sheer Madness was slow away, as was Admire Gratzi. Heaven On Earth was held up and unable to secure clear running to after the 200m. Jellies was unable to improve from the 400m to the 200m and again at the 100m and was unable to be tested.

 

HEAVEN ON EARTH $9 sat right being the leader and was cruising on the turn. He was held up behind traffic on turning and it was a composed effort by Bensley to bide his time and then dash through on the rail when the gaps opened. QUITE UNEXPECTED $61 made his move on the outside at the turn and fought on well to make second with a bunch over the line behind. ADMIRE GRATZI $9.50 took out third and his effort was good in the circumstances.  All honours with Heaven On Earth and Bensley.

 

Race 6

 

Stewards questioned the rider about his decision to lead on the winner Madam Oaks. She has the blinkers on first time and he said he elected to cross runners off the wide gate rather than being caught wide without cover. A number were inconvenienced at the start, including Kirro and the $4 favourite Lord Desanimaux.

 

MADAM OAKS $4.80 sped along in front and had a space on them down the back. She was never tested in the straight easily holding off LIAM’s THE BOSS $15 and KIRRO $5.50, who hit the line well from a long way back. RUM CAKE had led the chasers behind Madam Oak and there was some merit in his fourth placing effort. Doubt it will be the last time they lead with Madam Oaks, who impressed.    

 

Race 7 (Federal)

 

Wanna Get A What raced wide without cover, as did Newtown Is Coming and Exaggerate. Te Ata was slow to begin. The winner I Am Kalani was held up between the 400m and 200m. CACCINI was crowded and checked near the 800m

 

I AM KALANI $2.90 hadn’t featured in three previous first-up runs, but the early markets suggested that was going the change. She was bundled up behind the speed on turning and Billy Owen showed all this patience to wait for a gap to open. The mare finished stoutly to win by a half length from the brave EVE’S MISS $19 who sat on the rail behind the leading pair and looked the winner at the 200m. GRETZKY’S $13 effort to place third was encouraging and he will benefit from it. CONCRETE ($3.40) had to work to sit on speed after a slow off and didn’t finish it off with the big weight. I am Kalani looks in for a good campaign for the premiership yard.

 

Race 8

 

Sepulchre was crowded at the start. Circus Train raced wide and without cover throughout. Or Else began awkwardly and was held up on turning and was unable to obtain clear running to the 200m. Rond De Jambe was checked nearing toe 200m and protested unsuccessfully against the third-placed Or Else.

 

The Victorian DAMBULLA $1.30 was backed-off the map, but there were a few nervous seconds for supporters before he secured the win. Owen settled him beautifully in the lead over the middle distance. He looked the all over winner at the 300m, but then hit a flat spot and was headed by SEPULCHRE $19 and briefly OPPOSITE $18. He picked himself up from the canvas and came back to beat Sepulchre, with OR ELSE $26 dashing through on the rail to record a good effort. NIJINSKA $9 loomed as a likely winner in the straight, but didn’t see it out.