Cracking Canberra Preview by Neil Evans
********CRACKING CANBERRA PREVIEW********
with NEIL EVANS
FRIDAY Sept 19, 2025
@ Thoroughbred Park
TAB Black Mountain Quality
LAMINEX RACE DAY
Gates Open @ 12 noon
*Track likely Soft 6 & Rail out +5m:
*1st Race @ 1.20pm
*RACE 1 @ 1.20pm CAPITAL VENEERING 4YO & UP BENCHMARK 50 HCP (1200m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 11. SINGLE BEAT (Norm Gardner/Glenn Cahill a2kg; 57kg & barrier 11) -we kick off the big day with a competitive and wide battle for the lower-graded sprinters; and very keen at the big value on this locally-trained and improving 5YO mare by Super One who is primed to peak 4th-up over a furlong further. Came off 2 fair runs at best to be ridden a little quieter here and attack the line late against similar opposition a fortnight ago after being well specked at each way odds. Again will drift back behind a very solid tempo, and with a 2kg allowance in play for the new jockey; she can be taken out to the middle & cut loose over the final 300m
DANGERS: 1. *Lysander; 2. **Merchant Reign; 4. *Champ De Mars; 6. *She’s High Society
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My BET PLAN: SINGLE BEAT Each Way & Trifecta: 2,11/1,2,4,6,11/1,2,4,6,11
*RACE 2 @ 1.55pm CKC JOINERY MAIDEN HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 4. UBER IN (Richard Litt/Blaike McDougall; 57kg & barrier 8) -back a furlong we come for the maidens over the flying trip; and it shapes as the right starting point for this well bred 5YO metropolitan-based mare by Zoustar on debut in suitable going. Given 2 progressive trials at Warwick Farm, strong through the line at the latest on soft ground; and the stable is renowned for getting the new ones ready. Bred to get further on the dam's side; and will be very strong late
DANGERS: 2. *Baycat; 3. *Dee Dee Express; 5. *Deep Affection; 8. **Lethal Love
Likely Tempo: Good
My BET PLAN: UBER IN to WIN & Quinella: 4 and 8
*RACE 3 @ 2.35pm BIG RIVER TRADE HUME CLASS 1 PLATE (1600m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 2. RECKLESS BEHAVIOUR (Matthew Dale/Blaike McDougall; 59kg & barrier 5) -out to the mile we go for the lower class improvers; and like this lightly raced & progressive 4YO by Pierata getting back on a more suitable surface at his 4th start, dropping in class and pushing out in distance. Was dominant from the front in landing his maiden at Wagga 2 starts back before just failed to attack the line in heavy going at Nowra 17 days ago after tracking the speed. Less depth here; and from a handy enough draw; he can push forward and sit just off the speed before making his mark from the top of the lane. Further boosted with one of the early market rivals being preferred at Kembla on Thursday
DANGERS: 1. *Brooklyn Lights; 6. *Brutal Eyes
Likely Tempo: Fair to Solid
My BET PLAN: RECKLESS BEHAVIOUR to WIN
*RACE 4 @ 3.10pm INFINITE JOINERY MAIDEN PLATE (1300m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 7. SHE’S A DAME (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Louis Beuzelin; 57kg & barrier 5) -the maidens again over a competitive distance at set weights; and all aboard this emerging 4YO mare by Irish sire Royal Meeting from a strong metropolitan stable and returning off a 32 week break for only her 2nd start. Led for a long way on debut at Nowra over 1400m back in early February before being turned out. Given plenty of time and work since; and fitted to run this out strong via 2 steady Randwick trials. Bred to get further and she’ll more more than fit enough for this
DANGERS: 2. **Felis Chaus; 5. *Magenta Shores; 8. **The Eyes Have It; 9. *Winning Rupert
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: SHE’S A DAME to WIN & Trifecta: 2,7,8/2,5,7,8,9/2,5,7,8,9
*RACE 5 @ 3.45pm TOP SHELF JOINERY BENCHMARK 60 HCP (1400m) - Min Weight 56.5kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 5. PETAWAWA (Matthew Dale/Blaike McDougall; 59.5kg & barrier 4) -competitive middle graded battle here over the same trip; with plenty of chances. Settled on this improving 4YO mare by Written Tycoon peaking 2nd-up over a bit further. Progressed quickly through her last campaign, hitting the line hard into consecutive placings at Nowra and here before eventually tackling Group 3 company in Victoria over a mile where she was well outclassed. Resumed off a 23 week break over 1200m here; and hit the line from well back behind the galloper who will jump clear favourite in this. Fitter now with the extra ground an obvious plus; she can settle back with cover and be produced for a telling burst from the 350m. Bred to thrive in soft ground
DANGERS: 3. **Buenos; 6. *Benamera; 7. *Cosmic Ride
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: PETAWAWA to WIN & Quinella: 3 and 5
*RACE 6 @ 4.25pm TAB FEDERAL BLACK MOUNTAIN QUALITY (1000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Cannot Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 2. EXTRAVAGANT LAD (Scott Collings/Blaike McDougall; 61.5kg & barrier 8) -now for the big feature and non-claiming sprint run at Quality level; and in a race with plenty of chances; love the big value about this tough & sparingly raced 7YO by NZ sire Xtravagant returning for his first outing since early May. Powered home to win a feature sprint on Orange Cup day when fresh last prep before then doing it tough in a much deeper BM 78 at Randwick on a very shifty surface. Got back to his best with a fast-finishing & close 2nd in a BM 72 at Warwick farm on soft ground before spelling. Given a nice steady trial here a fortnight ago; and has a 50 percent winning strike rate 1st-up from 6 starts. Can settle back well off the fence & behind a very strong tempo before being taken to the middle from the top of the straight
DANGERS: 1. *Pokerjack; 4. **Mogo Magic; 5. *Take The Rap; 8. *Vella’s Best
Likely Tempo: Good to Strong
My BET PLAN: EXTRAVAGANT LAD Each Way & Trifecta: 2,4/1,2,4,5,8/1,2,4,5,8
*RACE 7 @ 5.05pm TURNERS BUILDING SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 75 HCP (1600m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 7. MAH ALI (Kerry Parker/Brock Ryan; 57kg & barrier 8) -we close the meeting with a strong clash for the higher-graded milers; and in another open race; keen on this tough 5YO provincial-based mare by More Than ready who is primed to peak finally getting out to this trip deep into the campaign. Did her best work late from well back in a strong BM 64 at Newcastle before again rocketing home late to finish under a length from the smart Azarax in similar company on Wyong Cup day. That form reads well for this getting onto a bigger track; and the more the surface dries out the better placed she is
DANGERS: 2. *Heir Jordan; 5. *Missile Leader; 8. **Philadelphia Storm; 9. **Burgundy Girl; 11. *Webejamin
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: MAH ALI Each Way & First Four: 7,8,9/2,5,7,8,9,11/2,5,7,8,9,11/2,5,7,8,9,11
**My BEST EARLY BETS:
R3 2. RECKLESS BEHAVIOUR - Approx $3.75 - $4.00; My Early Rating: $2.15
R5 5. PETAWAWA - Approx $4.25 - $4.50; My Early Rating: $2.45
**My BEST EARLY VALUE:
R4 7. SHE’S A DAME - Approx $6.00 - $7.00; My Early Rating: $3.65
**My BEST EARLY EXOTICS:
R2 Quinella: 4 & 8
R4 Trifecta: 2,7,8/2,5,7,8,9/2,5,7,8,9
GOOD LUCK
@NeilEvansmail
#CanberraRacing
Next Meeting is
SAT Sept 27; 2025