Cracking Canberra Preview by Neil Evans 3 February 2023
*1st Race @ 1.21pm
*Track improving Soft 6 & Rail out +9m (last meeting +7m):
RACE 1 @ 1.21pm THE DOCK KINGSTON BENCHMARK 65 HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 56.5kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 4. AKAKA FALLS (Brad Widdup/Ms Alysha Collett; 60.5kg & barrier 7) -This still lightly raced provincial 5YO by tough sire Headwater hasn't officially trialled ahead of his first run in more than 7 months; but I'm expecting a big showing in first outing for the new stable. Comfortably won a country CL1 fresh last prep before advancing to CL3 level where he twice finished off okay from well back behind a couple of smart sprinters. Should relish the long run home here, and his best form is on soft ground
DANGERS: 1. *El Salto; 3. *Off To War; 6. **Lily Elsie; 8. **Kimberley Secrets
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My BET PLAN: AKAKA FALLS Each Way & Trifecta: 4,6,8/1,3,4,6,8/1,3,4,6,8
*RACE 2 @ 1.57pm PRD REAL ESTATE BUNGENDORE MAIDEN PLATE (1400m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 5. FREE CHOICE (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou/ 58.5kg & barrier 7) -Very tricky maiden here over 7f, with a couple of metro debutants on show, and a few handy ones resuming. Want to be aboard one of the first starters, this powerful 3YO son of Spill The Beans who starts his career behind a string of spaced out trials. Loved the way he finished best in the most recent over 1030m at Rosehill, and has been recently gelded. Fitted to run the distance fresh
DANGERS: 1. *Oblique; 3. *Fierce Legend; 7. **Witness To Love; 8. **Caring Lass
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: FREE CHOICE to WIN & Trifecta: 5,7,8/1,3,5,7,8/1,3,5,7,8
*RACE 3 @ 2.32pm EPC SOLAR MAIDEN HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55.5kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 2. BULLSEYES (Anthony Warren/Jeff Penza; 58.5kg & barrier 4) -Still with the maidens, and back a furlong in trip for a more moderate affair. This improving Scissor Kick 3YO can break through at his third start in a race of much less depth. Ran home well into a place here against better opposition 23 days ago when forced to do some early work from the gate, and is well treated up only 1.5kg for this field
DANGERS: 1. *Raider Eightyeight; 3. *Prometio Mas
Likely Tempo: Reasonable to Solid
My BET PLAN: BULLSEYES to WIN
*RACE 4 @ 3.07pm REDBUCK FARM SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 60 HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 59kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 4. CHARLEMAGNE (Danielle Seib/Ms Hannah Williams a1.5kg; 58kg & barrier 5) -Very handy battle for this grade, but ultra keen on this progressive 4YO by Real Impact 2nd-up off a 7 month break. Ran home okay first-up on soft ground in a race with more depth, and with that extra fitness over 200m further, he can settle back around midfield and produce a superior closing sectional
DANGERS: 1. *Defcon One; 2. *Saiko; 5. *London Gal; 8. *Piece Of Turf; 9. *Rubiwash
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: CHARLEMAGNE to WIN
*RACE 5 @ 3.46pm MIKE CRAMSIE MEMORIAL RACE DAY 2YO HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 6. GUN (Michael Freedman/Keegan Latham; 57kg & barrier 2) -The handle bars will be down from the jump here as the 2YO sprinters lock horns in a very tricky dash, with several making their debut. One of them is this speedy and well bred gelding by Extreme Choice who starts his career in blinkers behind a smart provincial trial win. Plenty to like about his overall prep for this, mixing it with some exciting city youngsters, and should be afforded a nice run from the low gate
DANGERS: 1. *Celui; 3. *Chop The Ice; 5. **Carnaby; 7. *Insane Volt; 10. *American Glow
Likely Tempo: Good
My BET PLAN: GUN to WIN
*RACE 6 @ 4.26pm MORGANS FINANCIAL CLASS 1 PLATE (2000m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 3. WHETU (Richard Collett/Shaun Guymer; 59kg & barrier 8) Now the restricted staying battle, and it shapes nicely for this lightly raced & still progressing metro 5YO by Dundeel who can peak 4th-up staying at the distance. Liked the way he hit the line from well back here last time in a race with superior depth, and the winner was then only beaten narrowly by a smart import at Kembla on Tuesday. The more the track dries out the better he's served
DANGERS: 2. *Military Manoeuver; 5. **Jimmy Manolo; 9. *Pinky
Likely Tempo: Reasonable
My BET PLAN: WHETU to WIN & Quinella: 3 and 5
*RACE 7 @ 5.06pm TAB FEDERAL BENCHMARK 70 HCP (1400m) - Min Weight 56.5kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 6. INVERTATIONAL (Matthew Kelley/Ms Louise Day; 58kg & barrier 10) -Now for the Federal feature, and can't get off this talented and progressive home track filly by Group 1 winner Invader. Has twice roared home from midfield at Wagga for dominant wins up to BM 66 grade, and seemingly still with plenty more to give. Bit tougher here, and rises 2kg in weight, but she handles all ground, and again drawn to settle back off the speed and produce that superior final 400m burst
DANGERS: 2. *I Am Mamwaazel; 2. *Stratum Pride; 9. *Twig
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: INVERTATIONAL to WIN
*RACE 8 @ 5.46pm MARK HUGHES FOUNDATION CLASS 1 HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 1. BULLY FOR YOU (Ross McConville/Shaun Guymer; 59kg & barrier 3) -Competitive sprint to finish. Keen to ride home with this lightly raced & still emerging provincial 4YO by Bull Point who looks very well placed 2nd-up and drawn to get cover. Did his best work late in stronger company at Kembla and first-up since last winter, and is fairly treated only 4kg above the limit weight in this field. The one to beat
DANGERS: 4. *Galactic Warrior
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: BULLY FOR YOU to WIN
**My BEST EARLY BETS:
R7 6. INVERTATIONAL** Expect: $2.75 - $3.00; My Early Rating: $2.05
R8 1. BULLY FOR YOU**
**My BEST EARLY VALUE:
R4 4. CHARLEMAGNE**
**My BEST EARLY EXOTICS:
R2: Trifecta: 5,7,8/1,3,5,7,8/1,3,5,7,8
GOOD LUCK
@NeilEvansmail