Cracking Canberra Preview by Neil Evans 22 April 2022
Gates open @ 11.15AM
GENERAL ADMISSION FREE
*1st Race @ 12.15pm
*Track likely Soft 6 & Rail out +10m:
*RACE 1 @ 12.15pm BORIS PROPERTY BENCHMARK 65 HCP (1000m): - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 1. WASHINGTON TOWERS (Todd Smart/Anna Roper a4kg; 61.5kg & barrier 2) -Small but handy and tough sprint field to get us rolling on a slowly improving soft track. Like this locally-trained on-speed 5YO who has had 24 days since leading all the way here 1st-up in tougher Highway grade at big odds. Less depth here, and the stable has reacted to the huge impost booking a rookie 4kg claimer who shouldn't have to do much over this trip from the low draw
DANGERS: 3. *Brothers Of Antrim; 7. *Delightful Dream
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My BET PLAN: WASHINGTON TOWERS to WIN
*RACE 2 @ 12.50pm FREEDOM PROJECTS BENCHMARK 60 HCP (1600m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 7. LOOSE LOVE (Todd Smart/Billy Owen; 58kg & barrier 5) -Even and tactical race, but very keen on this home track 3YO by Turn Me Loose who can score an overdue win. Was placed in four straight runs hitting the line from around midfield, often with little luck, before being left three wide no cover the entire trip in a ghastly CL1 watch last start, but still boxed on to be beaten under 2 lengths. Gets back out to his preferred mile trip, and regular jockey back on
DANGERS: 1. *Mercury; 3. **Denmiss; 9. *La Valkyrie
Likely Tempo: Reasonable
My BET PLAN: LOOSE LOVE to WIN & Trifecta: 3,7/1,3,7,9/1,3,7,9
*RACE 3 @ 1.30pm PETER McKENZIE WILLCOX MAIDEN HCP (1300m) - Min Weight 56.5kg; Weights Raised 1.5kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 7. NYOTA (John Sargent/Robbie Dolan; 57kg & barrier 4) -Modest and testing maiden, with a few hopes. Expecting sharp improvement at second start from this Randwick-based Teofilo 3YO filly who failed to attack the line on debut at Goulburn. Was easy in betting that day, but had shown more than enough at the trials for a race like this, and she can sit a little bit closer on an improving surface
DANGERS: 3. *Little Miss Quinn; 4. **Vaaroom; 8. **Redhair'n'freckles
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: NYOTA Each Way & Trifecta: 4,7,8/3,4,7,8/3,4,7,8
*RACE 4 @ 2.10pm GREENWOOD TILING MAIDEN PLATE (1000m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 12. PENTHOUSE (Matthew Dale/Kayla Nisbet; 55kg & barrier 10) -Got a healthy opinion of this home track Capitalist filly who is the only 2YO in the race. Resumes from a wide draw after having only two runs in her first prep, but good enough to debut in metropolitan Listed company in Qld before close-up in a handy maiden at Moruya. Reportedly been working well, and only needs to slot in for some cover to run over them fresh
DANGERS: 2. *Marvelous; 3. *Press Ahead; 7. *Ice On Fire; 10. *Sequin Dress
Likely Tempo: Good
My BET PLAN: PENTHOUSE to WIN
*RACE 5 @ 2.45pm TAB FEDERAL BENCHMARK 70 HCP (1400m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 2. TOULON BROOK (Matthew Dale/Nick Heywood; 59.5kg & barrier 3) -Another strong betting race for the feature Federal, although shaping up as the best value is this underrated 6YO by Hinchinbrook who is ready to break a run of outs and pounce 4th-up from a better draw. Worked home okay in two runs here up to BM 75 grade before doing his best work late in a similar lineup at the Sapphire Coast. Big key is the gate where he can settle a bit closer to the speed, and produce a dominant final 300m
DANGERS: 5. *Propose A Toast; 8. *Crucial Witness; 11. *Shaddy
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: TOULON BROOK Each Way & Box Trifecta: 2,5,8,11
*RACE 6 @ 3.25pm ENLIGHTEN HOME LOANS CLASS 1 HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 9. ESSONNE (Richard Litt/Jack Martin; 56kg & barrier 3) -Competitive enough field, but this talented and emerging metro 3YO filly by Reliable Man is clear on top from a nice draw at his second start. Powered home late behind a modest tempo to win on debut here as an easing favourite, and even better suited with that experience under her belt, and with more speed on up front. Destined to win better races over further
DANGERS: 2. *Good Deed; 4. *Drummin; 6. *Mooshaka;
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My BET PLAN: ESSONNE to WIN
*RACE 7 @ 4.05pm GINNINDERRA CRICKET CLUB CLASS 1 PLATE (1600m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 5. COPPERSONIC(Jason Attard & Lucy Keegan-Attard/Jean Van Overmeire; 57kg & barrier 2) -very tough race over the mile, with several chances. Like the placement of this lightly raced and improving 5YO provincial mare who can strike 3rd-up from a softer draw. Improved to miss by a whisker 2nd-up off a lengthy break at Orange in a similar field, and will relish a slightly firmer track over 200m further here. Draws to get good cover just off the speed
DANGERS: 3. Pending; 4. Jiggler; 11. Portnoy
Likely Tempo: Reasonable to Solid
My BET PLAN: COPPERSONIC to WIN
*RACE 8 @ 4.40pm GERALDS RACING CLASS 2 HCP (1300m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 9. TWIG (Matthew Dale/Brock Ryan; 56kg & barrier 8) -Good field for this class to close the meeting. Very content to be aboard this home track 4YO mare second-up over a bit more ground with winkers back on. Was a little soft in betting when making some late ground resuming in a BM 65, although didn't get much room when it counted. Better suited when she can get to the outside of horses, and late in the day that might be the place to be anyway. Beat a handy CL1 field at Wagga over the mile to finish off her first prep in spring
DANGERS: 4. Beau Rock; 6. Almost Persuaded
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: TWIG to WIN & Box Exacta: 4,6,9
**My BEST EARLY BETS:
R1 1. WASHINGTON TOWERS** Expect: $2.60 - $2.75; My Early Rating: $1.98
R6 9. ESSONNE** Expect: $3.65 - $4.00; My Early Rating: $2.28
R8 9. TWIG** Expect: $4.60 - $4.75; My Early Rating: $2.75
**My BEST EARLY VALUE:
R2 7. LOOSE LOVE** Expect: $5.50 - $6.50; My Early Rating: $3.70
R5 2. TOULON BROOK** Expect: $7.50 - $8.00; My Early Rating: $4.20
**My BEST EARLY EXOTICS:
R5: Box Trifecta: 2,5,8,11