Canberra Racing Review Sunday 17 November

Three longer priced winners on the day, but generally punters were around the mark. It was a beautiful day for racing in the capital with Barb Joseph’s Ten Tigers win in the 3400m Australian Light Horse Association To The Jericho well-received — despite the starting odds.

 

Lolita Gold stepped-up to take out the Federal for Neil Osborne and continues to impress.

 

Race 1 (1000)

 

The $1:80 favourite FARNAN debuted off a city trial win for Waterhouse-Bott and the colt won as he liked. He sat outside the leader CHARMING PAT in the five horse affair and they had a clear advantage on turning before the Not A Single Doubt 2yo burnt away to win in a canter by nearly 5L. The $2.90 second favourite STAGECOACH MARY ran into third, 9L from the winner. Farnan is a ready-made galloper who didn’t put a foot wrong and is sure to win better races.

 

 Race 2 (1000m)

 

The Bjorn Baker debutant TESTING TIMES was the one the punters wanted, but they left the money in the bag.  The runner-up TURFEZE lead early but was then pressured by ELTHAM PALACE and they were together on turning. VOL PRIVE sat wide behind them and worked into it on turning and was in front at the 200m. The winner MIXED UP GRAY who wasn’t fancied in the market on resumption, was bunched behind them at the turn and it was a good bit of riding by Aaron Sweeney to work a way clear and balance the horse. He kept coming determinedly to catch Turfeze (who fought back) and Vol Prive in the shadows of the post. Testing Times pushed forward to midfield but met trouble at the 800m and the resulting shuffle also inconvenienced the second-favourite PUSHKAR. They were both relegated to last and second last and didn’t get into it after. Big forgives for them. The efforts were good from the three top finishers. Mixed Up Gray is sure to take learning and will appreciate longer. Vol Prive was at monster odds and defied those with an unlucky effort.  

 

Race 4 (3400m)

 

Only seven horses lined up for the marathon trip but there was a stack of interest in the outcome. BY DESIGN ran a firm favourite from GENTLEMAN MAX who was backing up from Gundagai two days earlier where he’d finished with the cap-catchers. The race was taken out by the locally trained TEN TIGERS at $21 and it has to be said he did it in style. He’d been beaten 9L at Queanbeyan six days earlier over 2000m and in the first half of the race was allows to tail off 10 or so lengths behind the main bunch and a mile behind the clear race leader ZOE LASS.  She piled on the pressure passing the 1400m and along with the trailing Chequer Hill had put a gap on the rest at the 1200m. At this point Ten Tigers had caught the peloton. The runs came at the 800m with Gentleman Max and Ten Tigers making forward moves. Ten Tigers took over early in the straight and toughed it out all the way down the straight beating DEXLUTHER and By Design, who both has every chance. All honours to Ten Tigers and his jockey Aaron Sweeney for a heady ride. The voluminous cheers that greeted the win suggest plenty of little punters at least, had sided with the Barb Joseph-trained gelding.  

 

Race 4 (1200)

 

The money came late for the Tash Burleigh-trained TERRITORIAL and he took the race from the second market-elect BALLISTER. TE ATA was joint favourite early, but blew in the betting and was never in it. HIGH DUDE led comfortably from Territorial on his flank. Territorial hit the lead at the 100m with Ballista (who’d sat midfield) emerging down the centre. In a keen finish Territorial held on under a cool McDougall ride with High Dude bravely sticking in third. The well-supported UPPER HOUSE was last on turning and wasn’t a factor. Territorial was strong at the trip this time around and has scope for more improvement.   

 

Race 5 (1200m)

 

There were four horses why started $5.0 or less and they filled the top-4.  SELECTIVE had good late backing and ran a $4.0 favourite. SWIDINI led with the winner MICHEAL OSCAR sitting comfortably on his flank. THE DREAM GIVER sat three deep. SELECTIVE, who sat inside him, was pushed back to last before the turn with a wall in front.  Micheal Oscar fought off Swidini and The Dream Giver with the unlucky Selective flashing home into fourth. Good efforts all with Selective certainly one to keep onside at her next run. THE DREAM GIVER was cruelled by the gate and he can quickly turn things around.

 

Race 6 (1600m)

 

The money was with the favourite TRUST THE PROCESS and TRESSE D’OR and they ran one-two. Anna Baabella set a good tempo from Tresse D’Or and DIAMOND CLASS. Trust The Process was handy on the rail and cleverly worked out to sit outside the leading pair on turning. He fought it out all the way up the straight with Tresse D’Or just getting the upper hand. Trust The Process built on the Maiden win here and is capable of going on.  ZARAFAH ran on okay into a well beaten fourth.     

 

  

Race 7 (1600m)

 

LOLITA GOLD impressed beating Monte Majura here at the last meeting and it was no surprise to see here take out the Federal, although conceding favouritism to SUPREME POLARITY.  There was plenty of interest in forward positions with Supreme Solidarity settling in front with Lolita Gold eased settling 1L away off the rail. Lolita put more pressure on at the 600m. Le Cavalier emerged three-out on turning and these three set out for a thrilling finish. Lolita hit the front at the 100m with Le Cavalier just pipping Supreme Polarity second/third. Another nice effort by Lolita and Le Cavalier was still coming at the line. ONS VIER was caught wide beyond midfield  

 

Race 8 (1300m)

 

The final event always looked competitive and it was basically $5 the field when they jumped. Galdocino led not unexpectedly from the just favourite MAGGIE’S GIRL who sped over from the side gate but raced keen when restrained and it likely told later. AMEARES trailed the speed on the rail. The leading pair held their positions on turning and were quickly joined by firstly Ameares and then LATINA BEAUTY who had enjoyed a good run. The latter just got up on the line with OVERFLOWING, who had sat beyond midfield, taking the eye storming home on the outside. The rest were well beaten. Positive efforts by all three from a future viewpoint.