Cracking Canberra Preview by Neil Evans 4 February 2022
*1st Race @ 1.22pm
*Track likely Soft 5 & Rail out +9m:
*RACE 1 @ 1.22pm MIKE CRAMSIE MEMORIAL 2YO HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 55.5kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
The two-year-olds kick it off, with all but one on debut and the other returning after a one-off run in spring. That Deep Field gelding, Randwick-based 1. BLACK TAHITIAN (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Jean Van Overmeire; barrier 3 & 58kg) has trialled in strong fashion, and was considered good enough to debut in Listed grade at Flemington last October. Should bolt in!
*MAIN DANGERS: Kembla-based 2. Buzz Bomb is by Smart Missile and starts behind an even trial; while Sebring-sired 3. Cool Amigo has trialled okay.
Likely Tempo: Solid
My Betting Attack: BLACK TAHITIAN to WIn & Trifecta (In Order): 1-2-3
*RACE 2 @ 1.57pm TAB BENCHMARK 75 FEDERAL HCP (1400m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
The feature Federal comes up early on the program across another small field which augurs well for home track seven-year-old 6. ROMEO VELLA (Gratz ``Twinkle Toes" Vella/Jordan Mallyon; barrier 5 & 55kg) who has never raced better, winning three from five since mid spring. Charged home two back under 60kg to just miss in weaker grade before too strong late in BM 65 company after settling closer. Jump in grade again means a luxury weight, with his customary 23 day break between runs.
*MAIN DANGERS: Consistent mare 5. Rapidity has been building up to a win since scoring here four starts ago, and also gets in on the limit 55kg. Watch the betting big time on resuming mare 4. Mookarena who has a tidy fresh record, and has trialled in smart fashion; while local six-year-old 1. Banger might not get enough speed up front, especially carrying a big weight, but he'll still be finishing late.
Likely Tempo: Moderate to Fair
My Betting Attack: ROMEO VELLA to WIN & Box Trifecta: 1,4,5,6
*RACE 3 @ 2.32pm A-PLUS PLUMBING MAIDEN HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
Home track mare 5. SOJO (Nick Olive/Billy Owen; barrier 5 & 56.5kg) hasn't started for eight months, but returning on a drier surface and with blinkers added can pay dividends in what is a very weak race. Started a short-priced favourite in two of three runs last year despite doing next to nothing.
*MAIN DANGERS: Watch the betting on Smart Missile filly 4. Miss Givings who makes her debut behind a nice open class trial at Nowra. Expecting good improvement second-up from stablemate 1. Promise Bay over more ground. Another four-year-old trained on the track, 2. Onya Lionel finished okay at his fourth start, but faces a task slotting in from this barrier. Must include in exotics 14. Fighting Pleasure third-up from the inside draw; while Dream Ahead filly 8. Ella Amelia resumes off a seven month spell.
Likely Tempo: Solid
My Betting Attack: SOJO Each Way
*RACE 4 @ 3.06pm REDBUCK FARM SUPPLIES MAIDEN PLATE (1400m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
Improving South Coast three-year-old 5. DEFCON ONE (Greg Backhouse/Ms Winona Costin; barrier 11 & 58.5kg) is drawn out, but only needs to find cover and a decent trail from the half mile to charge over the top. Has run home well in his last couple in races with more depth than this, and should be right at his peak.
*MAIN DANGERS: Metro three-year-old 6. Mediaro is the logical threat, and will likely jump a short-priced favourite after just missing on debut in deeper provincial company, but still under the odds. Honest provincial five-year-old 4. Woodson can finally break through deep into the prep. Finished just behind the place-getters in his last two, and drew to get a peach of a run right behind a moderate speed. Expect provincial four-year-old 1. River Sam to be running into the finish fifth-up from the inside draw.
Likely Tempo: Fair
My Betting Attack: DEFCON ONE Each Way & Quinella 5 and 6
*RACE 5 @ 3.43 MARITEX COMMERCIAL BENCHMARK 60 HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices can Claim:
Promising and unbeaten filly 6. ALLGEMEINE (Matthew Dale/Ms Kayla Nisbet; barrier 2 & 59kg) returns after a seven week break, and only bad luck stops her winning again. Up in weight sharply, but this isn't much tougher, and her win here in mid December overcoming all sorts of checks and problems was right out of the box. Headed for way better races.
*MAIN DANGERS: Doubt there are any all being equal, but progressive 4. Important Product is hard fit and swept home for a dominant BM 58 win last start. Gap to the rest headed by 5. Jac The Great who was given no chance plonked right off the track all the way last time at Moruya; and she has a good record here.
Likely Tempo: Solid
My Betting Attack: ALLGEMEINE to WIN & Quinella: 4 and 6
*RACE 6 @ 4.23pm PRD REAL ESTATE BUNGENDORE CLASS 1 HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
Keen on four-year-old home track Kermadec mare 2. FOURMADEC (Matthew Dale/Ms Louise Day; barrier 8 & 57kg) first-up for 11 months with a stack of gear changes. Showed she was ready with a forward trial here two weeks back, and on debut this time last year swept home for an impressive win as a heavily backed favourite at Wagga. If she stays sound can win races in the city.
*MAIN DANGERS: Big watch on metro five-year-old 1. Dr Evil who resumes behind a lengthy spell and quiet trial, with winkers removed. Last start maiden winner 3. Beau Rock; and 4. Benyatta third-up from a good gate; head the rest.
Likely Tempo: Solid
My Betting Attack: FOURMADEC to WIN
*RACE 7 @ 5.03pm EPC SOLAR BENCHMARK 65 HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
Keen on lightly raced and progressive three-year-old 6. OH NO MIKKI (Keith Dryden/Ms Alysha Collett; barrier 5 & 59kg) first-up. Won back-to-back races to launch his spring prep last time, and has the tactical speed to find a handy trail. The one to beat.
MAIN DANGERS: Consistent six-year-old 3. Haralben steps up from a smart BM 58 win, but this is as far as he wants. Tough local eight-year-old 1. Rafha's Choice dug deep to hold on late behind the winner in stronger Federal grade here at the last meeting; but even down to this level carting 61kg from a near outside barrier will be a task; while local four-year-old 4. Brothers Of Antrim maintained his near perfect fresh record here a fortnight ago, but normally comes right off second-up, although blinkers added is a significant gear change. Include 8. Deviate and 9. Eurosay in trifectas and first fours.
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My Betting Attack: OH NO MIKKI to WIN
*RACE 8 @ 5.43pm MORGANS FINANCIAL CLASS 1 PLATE (2000m) - set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
We wrap up the program over the longer trip, and emerging metro staying mare 7. FOREVER YOU (Ms Annabel Neasham/Brodie Loy; barrier $ & 57kg) almost looks to have this at her mercy. Put the writing on the wall charging home over the mile at Wyong before sweeping home with plenty in the tank to land a similar garde at the provincials. Will be winning better races than this.
*MAIN DANGERS: Another Kembla visitor, consistent 2. Destacado can run the quinella fourth-up with blinkers applied; while 1. Antigonus; 5. King Ratel and 6. Dancin' Til Dawn are fighting for the minor end of the prize.
Likely Tempo: Fair
My Betting Attack: FOREVER YOU to WIN & Quinella: 2 and 7
**My BEST EARLY BETS:
R5 6. ALLGEMEINE**
R6 2. FOURMADEC*
R7 6. OH NO MIKKI**
R8 7. FOREVER YOU***
**My BEST EARLY VALUE:
R4 5. DEFCON ONE**
**My BEST EARLY EXOTICS:
R8: Quinella: 2 and 7