Cracking Canberra Preview - Friday, 20 February 2026 by Neil Evans
*RACE 1 @ 12.47pm JOHN McGRATH AUTO GROUP MAIDEN PLATE (1000m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 7. XCEPTIONAL SPIRIT (Matthew Kelley/Ms Coriah Keatings a0k; 55kg & barrier 5) -we kick off the big Preview Day meeting on a firm surface with the maiden sprinters at set weights; and at big odds content to back this home track filly by Xtravagant, and the only 2YO in the race. Starts her career behind a trial win; running a slick final 600m split; and 2 key gear additions have been made. Bred to eventually get much further; will be strong through the line. Over the odds
DANGERS: 1. **Bivacco; 2. **Wild Romeo; 6. *Cheeky Sort
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My BET PLAN: XCEPTIONAL SPIRIT Each Way & Trifecta: 1,2,7/1,2,6,7/1,2,6,7
*RACE 2 @ 1.25pm GR1 MEDIA MAIDEN HCP (1300m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 1. HAMMURABI (Joseph Pride/Jeff Penza; 58.5kg & barrier 3) -the maidens again this time under handicap conditions over 300m further; and in a race that could prove a strong form reference; nothing looks better placed at good odds than this tough & emerging 3YO by King's Legacy from a leading metropolitan stable. Ran home late on debut at Gosford before another fair closing effort behind a smart one at Wyong. Only got going late in a Super Maiden at that track 10 days ago, but did enough work from the wide gate & still closed off okay. A little less depth here; drawn to get a softer run early; and will relish getting on to a big track with a long run home. Gets blinkers added, and is set to peak at his 4th outing
DANGERS: 2. **Silver Touch; 3. *Arctic Bright; 4. *Astound Beauty; 5. *Gaelic Gem; 8. *Redolent
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: HAMMURABI to WIN & First Four: 1,2/1,2,3,4,5,8/1,2,3,4,5,8/1,2,3,4,5,8
*RACE 3 @ 2.00pm TBC DISTRIBUTION BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1600m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 3. BRAZEN CRIME (Keith Dryden & Libby Snowden/Nick Heywood; 59kg & barrier 1) -out to the mile now for a very competitive benchmark level; and rating on top is this progressive & still lightly raced home track 4YO by Brazen Beau well placed to strike 4th-up with blinkers going on; and reaching this distance for the first time. Came off a 40-week break to be beaten under a length in a handy CL2 here before ridden quiet and sweeping home to claim a weaker race at Wagga. Stepped up sharply to a much tougher CL3 Highway over 1500m at Rosehill and ran home late from the back in a big field, the run much better than it looked on paper. Drawn to get a soft passage around midfield here; and just needs a clear crack at them from the 400m to nail a 3rd career win from only 8 starts
DANGERS: 2. *Taytay Bay; 4. **Falcon Lair; 5. *Flashing Icon; 6. *Miss Stalwart; 7. *Star Bling
Likely Tempo: Reasonable to Solid
My BET PLAN: BRAZEN CRIME to WIn; Quinella: 3 & 4; First Four: 3,4/2,3,4,5,7/1,2,3,4,5,6,7/1,2,3,4,5,6,7
*RACE 4 @ 2.36pm KENNARDS HIRE CLASS 1 PLATE (1600m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 1. ARTIE STEAMER (Matthew Smith/Pierre Boudvillain; 59kg & barrier 3) -staying over the same middle distance for the lower class improvers; and very keen to be aboard this progressive metropolitan-based 4YO by Flying Artie who can go back-to-back well into his 1st campaign. Beaten under a length in a handy provincial maiden 2 starts ago before ridden quieter & sweeping home for a dominant & breakthrough win at Gosford over the mile. The switch has been flicked now; and right at peak fitness from a soft trailing draw here; he can go right on with the job
DANGERS: 2. *Autumn Winter; 5. *Yes I Win; 8. *Rule Of Faith; 9. *Ivy Princess
Likely Tempo: Reasonable to Solid
My BET PLAN: ARTIE STEAMER to WIN
*RACE 5 @ 3.11pm CASINO CANBERRA CANBERRA GUINEAS PREVIEW 3YO BENCHMARK 65 HCP (1400m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 6. SPREAD THE LOVE (Danielle Seib/Pierre Boudvillain; 56kg & barrier 1) -back a furlong in trip for the 3YOs; and 1st of the feature Preview battles. Like this locally-trained & emerging gelding by Contributor resuming off a 23 week break for only his 3rd start. Went home best on heavy ground to win on debut at Goulburn before narrowly beaten after tracking the speed in a CL1 again on a bog track. Immediately spelled before returning with a nice trial win here a fortnight ago, and has reportedly been working well either side of that. An important gear change has been made; and being bred to get much further; he will be very strong late from a soft draw
DANGERS: 1. *Cashbook; 2. **Zoufield; 3. *Triptolemus; 5. *Wolf Island
Likely Tempo: Reasonable
My BET PLAN: SPREAD THE LOVE to WIN & Trifecta: 2,6/1,2,3,5,6/1,2,3,5,6
*RACE 6 @ 3.46pm ETS REFRIGERATION 2YO BLACK OPAL STAKES PREVIEW HCP (1000m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 3. MUSIC TIME (Gratz Vella/Pierre Boudvillain; 56.5kg & barrier 7) -now the Black Opal entree for the juveniles over the short course; and it shapes best for this emerging home track gelding by All Too Hard who can continue on his merry way after a fast-finishing 2YO win here a fortnight back. That came 6 weeks after running home well in similar company on debut; and his progress was proven by running a half second quicker that day. Even better suited here under the set weights conditions; and being bred to get much further; nothing will be stronger over the final furlong. The one to beat
DANGERS: 1. **Bar Jester; 2. *Fawlty Affairs; 7. *La Stiava; 10. *The Wilding
Likely Tempo: Good to Strong
My BET PLAN: MUSIC TIME to WIN & Quinella: 1 and 3
*RACE 7 @ 4.23pm CIVIUM PROPERTY GROUP CANBERRA CUP PREVIEW (2000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 5. WINNING POINT (Paul Murray/Chad Lever; 55kg & barrier 6) -the Cup Preview over the staying journey under handicap conditions brings together a fairly even field. Rating on top at the big value is this underrated & hard fit 6YO provincial-based mare by Bull Point who finds the right race deep into her current campaign. Wasn't suited from the back in a deeper race at Canterbury 3 starts ago before working home nicely in a BM 64 at Kembla. Then produced a similar effort at that course over the same 2400m trip behind a handy winner. Drops 2kg from both those runs; and the 400m drop in distance has been off-set with 23 days between runs
DANGERS: 1. **Captain Fenkel; 3. *Scarli Japali; 4. *Semper Fortis; 6. **Burgundy Girl
Likely Tempo: Fair
My BET PLAN: WINNING POINT Each Way & Trifecta: 1,5,6/1,5,6/1,3,4,5,6
*RACE 8 @ 5.03pm TAB FEDERAL - NATIONAL SPRINT PREVIEW (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 6. KEIKOKU (Luke Pepper/Jack Martin/55kg & barrier 3) -the last of the big Preview features for an always popular and very open race has me confident this still sparingly-raced home track 7YO by Dream Ahead can pounce 2nd-up off a 6 week freshen. Was always in and around the money in some good class sprints last prep; including twice on the bounce being narrowly beaten in Open Federal Hcps when charging home late from the 2nd half of the field. Picked up where he left off here 1st-up running home to be beaten only a long neck. Fitter now, and back 100m in distance; he's drawn to get a cosy run midfield and just needs a clear look at them over the final 350m
DANGERS: 2. **Ringarosa; 3. *Love Shuck; 4. *My Last Hooray; 7. *Chasing A Quid
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: KEIKOKU to WIN & Trifecta: 2,6/2,3,4,6,7/2,3,4,6,7
*RACE 9 @ 5.43pm ALAN RUMMERY BOOKMAKER - SHANE CONNOLLY MEMORIAL CLASS 1 HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 7. SHOWTIME MAGGIE (Keith Dryden & Libby Snowden/Jack Martin; 55.5kg & barrier 3) -we close the big day with a competitive lower class sprint & confident of finishing with a bang at good odds aboard this lightly raced & improving 4YO local mare by Showtime. Right at her top now after three runs back; the latest sweeping home to win her maiden at Moruya with plenty in hand before doing her best work late here in similar company a fortnight back. Can be ridden a little quieter here with cover over a slightly shorter trip before unleashing over the final 300m. The drier the track the better placed she is
DANGERS: 1. **Shyamalan; 3. *Out Little Star; 5. Nefradite; 8. *Cosmic Attraction;
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: SHOWTIME MAGGIE Each Way & Trifecta: 1,7/1,3,5,7,8/1,3,5,7,8
**My BEST EARLY BETS:
R4 1. ARTIE STEAMER - Early Price Range: $2.15 - $2.35; My Rating: $1.80
R5 6. SPREAD THE LOVE - Early Price Range: $3.00 - $3.25; My Rating: $2.00
**My BEST EARLY VALUE:
R3 3. BRAZEN CRIME - Early Price Range: $4.50 - $4.75 - My Rating: $2.60
R7 5. WINNING POINT - Early Price Range: $9.50 - $10.50; My Rating: $4.95
**My BEST EARLY EXOTICS:
R2 First Four: 1,2/1,2,3,4,5,8/1,2,3,4,5,8/1,2,3,4,5,8
R3 Quinella: 3 & 4
R5 Trifecta: 2,6/1,2,3,5,6/1,2,3,5,6
R8 Trifecta: 2,6/2,3,4,6,7/2,3,4,6,7