Cracking Canberra Preview by Neil Evans - 19 May 2023
*RACE 1 @ 12.00pm TAB BETS FRIENDS 3YO & UP CLASS 1 PLATE (1600m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 2. ELLIE'S DREAM (Matthew Smith/Jean Van Overmeire; 57.5kg & barrier 8) -Good competitive battle over the mile to get us rolling & keen to ride home with this progressive metro 3YO by Dream Ahead who profiles to break through at 5th start in his 1st prep, with blinkers coming off. Couldn't hang on when leading here in heavy ground two starts back; but that underlined what a pure off-speed finisher he is, and duly charged home in CL1 here nearly 4 weeks back although there's more quality on show here. Stays at the distance & is ready to win
DANGERS: 1. *Hadouken; 3. *Final Comment; 5. **Flic En Flac; 7. *Eltoroson; 8. **Jamrock
Likely Tempo: Reasonable to Solid
My BET PLAN: ELLIE'S DREAM to WIN & First Four: 2,5,8/1,2,3,5,7,8/1,2,3,5,7,8/1,2,3,5,7,8
*RACE 2 @ 12.36pm IRON JACK CLASS 1 HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 1. SIR MING (Danielle Seib/Jean Van Overmeire; 61kg & barrier 3) -Big fan of this progressive ex-Rosehill 3YO by Shalaa having his second run for the new country stable. Worked home well from just better than midfield after a torrid run in a CL1 at Wagga coming off a nine week break, and from a softer draw here, he looms to peak staying at the trip. Beat a very handy provincial maiden field last spring at just his second start.
DANGERS: 2. *Dreaming Of Vegas; 3. *The Prodigal Son; 6. *Power Puff
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: SIR MING to WIN
*RACE 3 @ 1.11pm TAB SAME RACE MULTI MAIDEN HCP (1300m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 5. BEST INTENT (Keith Dryden/James Innes Jnr; 57kg & barrier 10) -Out over a touch more ground now for the maidens, and it stacks up beautifully for this lightly raced 3YO home track filly by Hellbent who can break through at her third start. Has found the line well enough twice so far on soft tracks in two handy maidens when hard in the market, and the extra 100m is right up her alley. Should get enough speed and pressure on up front from the half mile to allow her to get over the top
DANGERS: 1. *Raider EightyEight; 2. *Red Raja; 3. *Inveterate
Likely Tempo: Reasonable to Solid
My BET PLAN: BEST INTENT to WIN
*RACE 4 @ 1.46pm THOROUGHBRED PARK FUNCTION CENTRE MAIDEN PLATE (1000m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 4. NOVEMBER RHYTHM (Matthew Smith/Jean van Overmeire; 59kg & barrier 13) -The maidens return over the same flying trip here; and it shapes well for this consistent metro 4YO by Dream Ahead who reloads off a eight week break. Was ultra consistent last prep, placed in three provincial runs, as well as a close 2nd in the Lickety Split here on Cup day. That form reads very well for this, and off the back of a strong metro trial win in soft ground, he only needs to get across from the wide barrier okay
DANGERS: 2. *Craving Magic; 7. **Dorami; 9. *Prophet Time; 12. **Zippy Zoo
Likely Tempo: Good
My BET PLAN: NOVEMBER RHYTHM to WIN & Trifecta: 4,7,12/2,4,7,9,12/2,4,7,9,12
*RACE 5 @ 2.21pm HAPPY BELATED 40TH HUTCH BENCHMARK 60 HCP (2000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 4. DIAMOND CLASS (Len Hodgson/Ms Olivia Chambers a2kg; 56.5kg & barrier 3) -Good race for this class, with plenty of depth and chances as well. Settled on this tough locally-trained 7YO mare by Alert deep into the current prep. Has hit the line impressively from well back in slightly deeper company last two starts. Draws to get plenty of cover here, and again reasonably well treated at the weights after the rookie rider takes 2kg off
DANGERS: 2. *Port Douglas; 3. *Viking Power; 6. *Loafing; 8. *Rockbarton Road
Likely Tempo: Fair to Reasonable
My BET PLAN: DIAMOND CLASS to WIN
*RACE 6 @ 2.56pm JOHN McGRATH AUTO GROUP BENCHMARK 50 HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 1. G'DAY POOPSIE (Amanda Davis/Benjamin Osmond a2kg; 60.5kg & barrier 2) -Right back to the short course now for a lower graded sprint. Like this progressive provincial-based 5YO by Skyclad 5th-up, with winkers coming off. Tracked the speed before a dominant country BM 58 win 3 starts ago, then held his ground okay in a tougher CL3 sprint at Tamworth. Comes off a recent close-up 2nd again in BM 58 grade, and slipping back to this level from a soft on-speed draw, makes him the clear one to beat
DANGERS: 2. *Celtic Vader; 3. *Last War; 5. *Timperley
Likely Tempo: Good
My BET PLAN: G'DAY POOPSIE to WIN
*RACE 7 @ 3.33pm TAB FEDERAL BENCHMARK 70 HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 8. ALLGEMEINE (Matthew Dale/Louise Day; 56kg & barrier 4) -Now for the feature Federal sprint, and very keen on this talented and sparingly raced 4YO mare by Japanese super sire Maurice resuming off a 7 month spell. Was consistently in the money around similar grade last spring, and while not publicly trialling, she comes to hand sharply. Drawn to get a handy trail off the fence, and drops down to her lightest career weight so far
DANGERS: 2. *Blitzar; 6. *Devine Miss; 9. *Wanaroo
Likely Tempo: Good to Strong
My BET PLAN: ALLGEMEINE to WIN
*RACE 8 @ 4.13pm HAPPY 40TH MATTRESS BENCHMARK 65 HCP (1300m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 8. I'M NOT LEAVING (Rob Potter/Ms Alysha Collett; 58kg & barrier 17) -We close the meeting with open and competitive battle. Despite drawing the outside barrier in a big field, like this progressive and lightly raced home track 4YO by Trust In A Gust 3rd-up and dropping in weight. Bolted in a CL1 from the front here 3 starts back before a mishap when dropping out in a CL2 race. Back to something near his best when hitting the line hard on the South Coast under a big weight, and returning home with a far superior jockey taking over is the recipe for success
DANGERS: 1. **Sea Treasures; 3. *Blazay; 6. *Onya Lionel; 10. *Temoin Chaud; 13. *Geminids; 14. **Diamond Star
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: I'M NOT LEAVING Each Way & First Four: 1,8,14/1,3,6,8,10,13,14/1,3,6,8,10,13,14/1,3,6,8,10,13,14
**My BEST EARLY BETS:
R2 1. SIR MING**
R6 1. G'DAY POOPSIE*
R7 8. ALLGEMEINE**
**My BEST EARLY VALUE:
R8 8. I'M NOT LEAVING*
**My BEST EARLY EXOTICS:
R4: Trifecta: 4,7,12/2,4,7,9,12/2,4,7,9,12