Cracking Canberra Preview by Neil Evans

*RACE 1 @ 2.10pm XXXX GOLD PLATE (1300m) - Maiden, Set Weights & apprentices can claim):

 

We start with a fairly even-rated Maiden at set weights. Consistent 3YO Hawkesbury gelding 4. UPRISE (Brad Widdup/Chad Lever 58.5kg) looks ready to break through. Has been placed in four of his last five, and can be ridden a little quieter here getting back on to the bigger track.

 

MAIN DANGERS: Local 3YO gelding 3. Scarleo is close to breaking through in first prep finishing off okay in a Federal Maiden two runs back before chased hard behind a handy one at Albury; while 4YO Goulburn mare 7. Inland Retreat looks the only other chance after finishing hard on debut at Muswellbrook, and draws to get a nice trail back in the field.

 

Tempo: Fair to Good

My Betting Attack: UPRISE to WIN & TRI: 3,4/3,4,7/3,4,7

 

*RACE 2 @ 2.45pm JOHN McGRATH AUTO GROUP HCP (1600m): BM 65; Min Weight 55kg & apprentices can claim:

 

Smaller but competitive field over the mile, and most are in contention. Tough Goulburn 4YO 6. WAR DECK (John Bateman/Kayla Nisbet) has hit the line consistently all prep. After a dominant CL1 win at Wagga, loomed up twice from off the speed at Goulburn, but just found one better. Track and distance ideal, and trainer has made some key gear changes, although won't want it much worse than a Soft 6.

 

MAIN DANGERS: Talented 3YO Warwick Farm gelding 3. Trust The Process doesn't want it too wet either, but looks reasonably treated under 59.5kg dropping back a mile in grade from Group 2 Phar Lap where he was beaten a long way in heavy ground behind two of the best fillies in Australasia. Previously had resumed with a sound closing run in the Guineas Prelude here, and won two straight in spring on this track. Albury 5YO gelding 1. The Doctor's Son has been tackling deeper company, and flew home from a mile back in a CL3 at Albury last start. Should relish the mile here, but handicapper hasn't missed him up to 61.5kg. Warwick Farm mare 5. First Lady is hard fit, and well suited on the "map" over her pet distance. Finished best to win a BM 66 at Mudgee three runs back before an even effort in tougher metro grade, and solid closing run in that same race at Goulburn just behind War Deck.

 

Tempo: Moderate to Even

My Betting Attack: WAR DECK to WIN & Box TRI 1,3,5,6

 

*RACE 3 @ 3.25pm CANPRINT COMMUNICATIONS PLATE (1600m) - Class 1; Set Weights; 3YO's & Up & apprentices can claim:

 

Still at the mile, and keen on progressive 3YO Goulburn gelding 6. RENT A ROCK (Danny Williams/Matthew Cahill 57.5kg) who disappointed in a CL3 at Albury when strung up in traffic back in the field following a powerful maiden win charging home at Wagga. Still has plenty to offer being by a Melbourne Cup winner, and will love the long stretch on this track.

 

MAIN DANGERS: Improving 3YO Hawkesbury gelding 7. Tri Nations picked up even better where he left off a consistent spring prep by steaming home from a wide gate resuming at Scone. Rises quickly to the mile, but drawn to get a good trail off the speed. After banging on the door since last spring, home track 4YO gelding 1. Express Courier finally landed his maiden second-up at Albury motoring home from the back. Extra trip in his favour, and draws to be tucked away back in the field, but query on any ground rain-affected. Goulburn 5YO 3. Outahand got under the market's guard surging home to win his maiden at home first-up, but tougher here and not well in at the weights; while 4YO Warwick Farm mare 8. Fight The Knead can improve third-up out in distance.

 

Tempo: Moderate

My Betting Attack: RENT A ROCK to WIN

 

*RACE 4 @ 4.05pm SEPPELT HCP (1000m) - Maiden Hcp; Min Weight 55kg & apprentices can claim:

 

Back to the short-course, and there's plenty of hopes, with a few key ones resuming. One of those, well-bred Randwick 3YO 2. SEVENTH SEAL (Peter & Paul Snowden/Adrian Layt 58kg) looks very hard to beat returning as a gelding off the inside draw. Looked sharp winning the second of two metro trials.

 

MAIN DANGERS: Goulburn 4YO 1. Full Of Fire was ridden quieter at second start and found the line well at Moruya. Bigger track and jockey taking 1.5kg off are little plusses. Local 3YO gelding 5. Gambler's Quest can improve second-up after resuming with a modest run in a handy Federal Maiden; while expect sharp improvement third-up from Goulburn gelding 6. Ghost Town who drops in weight and draws better after flopping at Albury.

 

Tempo: Good

My Betting Attack: SEVENTH SEAL to WIN

 

*RACE 5 @ 4.40pm HYGAIN HCP (1000m) - BM 60; Min Weight 55kg & apprentices can claim:

 

Still with the sprinters in one of the more open contests on the card. Home track 5YO mare 10. NOBODY'S PUPPET (Nick Olive/Ms Ellen Hennessy a2kg, 59.5kg) has been a hard sprinter to catch, but has shown real consistency in good company this prep. Took a good one to run her down late in similar grade on Canberra Cup day before ridden quieter and again hitting the line well in a CL3 at Goulburn. Draws to get a sweet trail right behind the speed.

 

MAIN DANGERS: Improving 5YO local gelding 3. Gretzky was good late third-up in a CL2 at Albury. Up in weight, but his pattern of getting a long way back and charging late is well suited here. Consistent and lightly raced Wagga 7YO 8. Powerscourt rises in grade after beating a handy BM 58 field before again rattling home late into a place. Draws to get a cosy trail back in the field, and rookie 4kg-claiming rider gets him in nicely at the weights. Well touted local 3YO filly 12. Eltham Palace has let punters down since her maiden win at Nowra five starts back. Has constantly loomed to win when hard in the market, but just struggled to run through the line. Again suited over the trip, and will tough to beat if the track starts to get near Heavy range. Watch the betting on local 4YO mare 6. Farthing Wood who resumes off a long break without a public trial, but has ability and normally comes to hand quickly; while 5YO Moruya mare 9. Revitup Rednut resumed with an explosive BM 58 win from off the speed at home, and while this is tougher, she gets in okay at the weights after rider's claim.

 

Tempo: Good to Strong

My Betting Attack: NOBODY'S PUPPET Each Way

 

*RACE 6 @ 5.20pm TAB FEDERAL HCP (1300m) - BM 70; Min Weight 55kg & apprentices can claim:

 

Headline race of the day is typically wide open with a stack of chances headed by smart 4YO Canberra mare 12. FLORA BEL (Norm Gardner/Brendan Ward 57.5kg) who has had very little go right this prep, despite some handy runs in strong company. Lost the rider just after the start in a BM 60 here three runs back before close-up in a BM 87 Federal, and then not getting much room under a big weight at Goulburn. Draws to get a decent trail around midfield, and ready to win.

 

MAIN DANGERS: Canberra 5YO mare 11. Terra Reign came off a strong BM 65 win here to again attack the line from just off the speed at Goulburn despite finishing through inferior ground. Will drift a little further back from a wide barrier this time, but is a proven wet carrier, and can win. Progressive 5YO Moruya gelding 9. Whisky'n'diamonds looks ready for this tougher test off a barn-storming second-up win in a BM 66 at Goulburn rattling home at double figure odds. South Coast 4YO 2. Peyton Place has been freshened since a dominant all-the-way win in a BM 66 at Goulburn, and best form has generally been on the fresher side. Big watch on resuming Queanbeyan gelding 1. Bart who has won three from six fresh, and looked very forward winning a recent trial, but has a real task from a wide draw under a big weight; while include Moruya mare 5. Bellegano who gets a 3kg allowance, and local 5YO 7. Coup De Main who draws well, in wider exotics.

 

Tempo: Moderate to Good

My Betting Attack: FLORA BEL Each Way & FIRST FOUR: 9,11,12/1,2,9,11,12/1,2,5,7,9,11,12/1,2,5,7,9,11,12

 

*RACE 7 @ 5.55pm TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY HCP (1300m) - Class 1; Min Weight 55kg & apprentices can claim):

 

Another intriguing battle over the same trip to finish, and promising 3YO local filly 10. PROPOSE TO ME (Matt Dale/Aaron Sweeney 55.5kg) can take the next step down 2kg after sweeping home to win her maiden on debut at Wagga.

 

MAIN DANGERS: Goulburn 4YO 1. Azoustic also flew home to win his maiden comfortably two runs back before again finishing on late in a BM 58 at home. Should get a decent speed to chase again, and watch for him late. Improving Hawkesbury 3YO 2. Bigger Than Thorn resumed with a tidy win in handy maiden company, and draws to get good cover right behind the speed, with the winkers applied. Randwick filly 5. Candy Bar has enough ability in this grade with the blinkers going on. Hasn't been far away in BM 64 grade since winning her maiden four runs back, but has drawn off the track.

 

Tempo: Moderate to Good

My Betting Attack: PROPOSE TO ME to WIN

 

**My BEST BETS:

 

R3 6. RENT A ROCK

R4 2. SEVENTH SEAL

R7 10. PROPOSE TO ME

 

**My BEST VALUE:

 

R1 4. UPRISE

R5 10. NOBODY'S PUPPET

 

GOOD LUCK

@NeilEvansmail

 

Next Meeting: Fri Apr 24, 2020

CANBERRA RACING