Cracking Canberra Preview by Neil Evans
*RACE 1 @ 12.40pm TAB FEDERAL RIHARNA THOMSON MAIDEN HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 1. SACRED INFERNO (Danielle Seib/Ms Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen a3kg; 58kg & barrier 9) -we open the big feature day with a tricky maiden sprint on a surface likely to improve back close to a Soft 5. Like this progressive home track 3YO by Hellbent resuming for a second campaign behind a soft Goulburn trial. Was in the placings all 4 runs last prep to open his career; twice beaten by a whisker when well in the market. Winkers off this time is significant, and stable has found a nice starting point for the autumn. Bred to revel in soft ground; and looks the best treated runner too after the jockey's 3kg claim
DANGERS: 2. *Pure Octane; 3. *Trooper; 7. *Show Rhythm;
Likely Tempo: Good to Strong
My BET PLAN: SACRED INFERNO to WIN
*RACE 2 @ 1.15pm POLYTRACK BENCHMARK 75 HCP (1600m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 3. ETCHED IN TIME (Richard & Will Freedman/Chad Schofield; 61kg & barrier 4) -up to the mile now in an open battle for the much higher-graded performers. At the value; it shapes ideally for this underrated & consistent 5YO by Written Tycoon who is well placed to make it 3 wins from his last 4 at great odds a month between runs. Went home best to claim a country BM 66 before even more impressive coming from a long way back to win a deeper BM 68 at Newcastle. Then did his best work late in a handy Midway BM 64 at Kembla on a very shifty surface. Drawn to get cover off the fence with a stronger jockey taking over; and the more the track dries out the better he looks
DANGERS: 2. *Saint Emilion; 5. *Oneforian; 6. *Deepwater Artist; 9. *Remadosi; 10. **Brazen Crime
Likely Tempo: Reasonable to Solid
My BET PLAN: ETCHED IN TIME Each Way & First Four: 3,5,10/2,3,5,6,9,10/2,3,5,6,9,10/2,3,5,6,9,10
*RACE 3 @ 1.50pm PFD FOOD SERVICES CAMARENA OPEN HCP (1000m) - Min Weight 55kg; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 3. VELLA'S BEST (Grastz Vella/Damon Budler; 59.5kg & barrier 4) -back to a high pressure 5 furlongs for the open class sprinters; and very keen to be on this smart home track 4YO by Headwater returning for his 1st run since early spring behind a strong trial win. Capped a big finish to the last campaign; bolting in a CL3 from the front at Moruya before again leading all the way in a Federal Hcp here a month between runs when backed from $3.90 into $3.40. Looks well forward; loves the track and trip; and with superior tactical speed can fire the 1st shot in what looms as a very progressive autumn prep
DANGERS: 2. *One Destiny; 4. *Take The Rap; 6. *Keikoku; 7. *Panic; 11. *Soul Lady
Likely Tempo: Good
My BET PLAN: VELLA'S BEST to WIN
*RACE 4 @ 2.25pm INGLIS XTRA BONUS MAIDEN PLATE (1300m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 12. COSMIC EAGLE (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou/Tyler Schiller; 56.5kg & barrier 3) -the maidens again in what is a very competitive and open lineup. Settled at the value on this improving 3YO filly by Deep Field who can hit a peak 3rd-up over 100m further. Resumed off two solid metropolitan trials with a fair closing effort at Wyong before being ridden quieter and hitting the well in a smart maiden at Rosehill. Drawn to get the right run a few lengths back with cover; and just needs a clear crack at them from the 400m to be right in the finish at good odds. Bred to thrive in soft.
DANGERS: 1. **Superata; 4. **Buckeye; 7. *Your Chill; 9. *Rach; 10. **Angel City
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My BET PLAN: COSMIC EAGLE Each Way & Box Trifecta: 1,4,10,12
*RACE 5 @ 3.00pm LISTED TOOHEYS 3YO CANBERRA GUINEAS (1600m) - Set Weights & Penalties; Apprentices Cannot Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 10. TRANSCEND (Michael Freedman/Tommy Berry; 54kg & barrier 4) -now for the 1st of the Listed features for the 3YO's; and very keen to back this progressive metropolitan-based filly by dual Cox Plate winner So You Think who finds an ideal set-up 2nd-up over 100m further. Won 2 straight in NZ last spring before crossing the Tasman & working home okay in a fillies and mares' BM 78 at Randwick when reloading off a 5 week break. Put away by the new yard before returning via two trials; but did it tough from the draw in a strong BM 78 at Rosehill when solid enough in the market. Will come on big from that run; naturally looking for more ground; and is drawn to get a much better run in transit here with cover. Leading jockey sticking is a further pointer.
DANGERS: 1. *Aerodrome; 3. **Watson; 4. *Azarax; 6. *Rivendell
Likely Tempo: Reasonable to Solid
My BET PLAN: TRANSCEND to WIN & Trifecta: 3,10/1,3,4,6,10/1,3,4,6,10
*RACE 6 @ 3.40pm LISTED SEEARS WORKWEAR NATIONAL SPRINT (1400m) - Quality; Min Weight 54kg; Apprentices Cannot Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 4. COOL JAKEY (Joseph Pride/Andrew Atkins; 55kg & barrier 16) -the 2nd of the non-claiming Listed features brings together an always deep and open field; with many formlines in play, given some key chances all by-passed a Group 3 at Newcastle on Friday to run here. Like this ultra tough six-year-old who is the only representative from a leading metropolitan stable. Was dominant from the front in a metro BM 88 earlier in the year before buckling late in the feature Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast over the carnival. Given a month's break and a tidy trial; he returned with a solid closing effort in a Group 3 feature at Randwick; and the 8 day turnaround is a sure-fire sign he's done well since. Can control the race from a wider gate; thrives in rain-affected going; and will prove very hard to get past
DANGERS: 1. *Welwal; 5. **Magnatear; 6. **Green Fly; 9. *Hellsing
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My BET PLAN: COOL JAKEY to WIN; Box Exacta 4,5,6; Trifecta: 4,5,6/1,4,5,6,9/1,4,5,6,9
*RACE 7 @ 4.21pm GROUP 3 JOHN McGRATH AUTO GROUP 2YO BLACK OPAL STAKES (1200m) - Set Weights & Penalties; Apprentices Cannot Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 3. MUSIC TIME (Gratz Vella/Pierre Boudvillain; 56kg & barrier 18) -now for the headline 2YO showdown at Group 3 level; and can't go away from this emerging & locally-trained gelded star who toyed with his rivals in the Prelude. Proved his power and versatility prior to that when sweeping home from well off the speed to win with plenty in hand. Then forced to sit wider without cover and closer to the speed here 16 days ago before surging clear & running a terrific final 600m split. The good price is there because he's drawn right off the track; but late in the day that might be preferable ground; and he boasts the tactical speed to slot across. Bred to relish soft going & eventually get further; he's shaping as one of the best juveniles to come out of Canberra in many years
DANGERS: 4. **Eviction Notice; 8. **Miss Chanel; 15. *Artaneous
Likely Tempo: Solid to Good
My BET PLAN: MUSIC TIME to WIN & Box Exacta: 3,4,8
*RACE 8 @ 5.00pm TAB CENTENARY CANBERRA CUP (2000m) - Quality; Min Weight 54kg; Apprentices Cannot Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 2. CAMPALDINO (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Tim Clark; 57.5kg & barrier 3) -the last of the Listed features and celebrating a century of Cup battles looks the ticket for this still lightly raced & high class 5YO by Ghibellines who is primed to peak 2nd-up from a sound on-speed draw. Very impressive winning 2 straight up to the Group 2 Brisbane Cup over 2 miles during Qld's early winter carnival last year before being given a lengthy break. Fitted with 2 soft trials; he blew out the cobwebs 1st-up in a deeper Group 3 at Rosehill a fortnight ago; and will come on strong from that run. Already with a 40 percent winning strike rate from 15 starts
DANGERS: 1. **Travolta; 3. **Piggyback; 7. *Sam Hawkens; 10. *Unlimited
Likely Tempo: Reasonable
My BET PLAN: CAMPALDINO to WIN & Trifecta: 1,2,3/1,2,3,7,10/1,2,3,7,10
*RACE 9 @ 5.40pm SKY RACING CLASS 2 PLATE (1300m) - Set Weights; Apprentices Can Claim:
TOP SELECTION: 5. STARBOARD (Richard & Will Freedman/Chad Schofield; 59kg & barrier 5) -we close out of the big day with a very open battle for the lower class improvers; and in a race with many chances; it shapes best for this honest & improving metropolitan-based 5YO by Astern who is primed to win again deep into the prep. Produced 2 fair city runs up to BM 72 level when coming off a break late last year before again being freshened. Then ran home from well back in a BM 68 at Newcastle before settling closer & holding his ground in an even stronger race at Canterbury. Hits peak fitness now dropping back in class; and drawn to find a handy trail off the fence
DANGERS: 9. *Olufsen; 10. *Cheeky Smirk; 12. *Senjutsu
Likely Tempo: Solid
My BET PLAN: STARBOARD to WIN
**My BEST EARLY BETS:
R3 3. VELLA'S BEST - Price Range: $2.75 - $3.00; My Rating: $1.90
R8 2. CAMPALDINO - Price Range: $4.85 - $5.25; My Rating: $2.60
**My BEST EARLY VALUE:
R5 10. TRANSCEND - Price Range: $4.85 - $5.50; My Rating: $2.80
R6 4. COOL JAKEY - Price Range: $5.00 - $5.50; My Ratings: $3.10
**My BEST EARLY EXOTICS:
R2 First Four: 3,5,10/2,3,5,6,9,10/2,3,5,6,9,10/2,3,5,6,9,10
R5 Trifecta: 3,10/1,3,4,6,10/1,3,4,6,10
R6: Box Exacta 4,5,6
R8: Trifecta: 1,2,3/1,2,3,7,10/1,2,3,7,10
GOOD LUCK
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