Maher's Chorlton Lane to open the Community Chest

By Neil Evans

A talented yet frustrating five-year-old who hasn't won since consecutive Benchmark 84 wins in Victoria back in April, is set to break the shackles in Sunday's feature Canberra Community Chest at Thoroughbred Park.

Sparingly-raced Chorlton Lane, always well in the market, but often finding ways to get beat, has been placed in three of his last four, including the Big Dance Wildcard when he flashed home late, and more recently a BM 88 at Randwick over 1500m on Melbourne Cup day when he ambled up to win the race; yet again was edged out in a tight finish.

Now the son of Irish stallion Mehmas from the powerhouse Ciaran Maher stable heads to Canberra with the Community Chest over 1400m in his sights for a long list of owners.

Despite drawing wider out, dropping back 100m to his best trip is a plus, with experienced country-based jockey Ashley Morgan taking over in the saddle.

And the drying weather is a further boost. Four of Chorlton Lane's five career wins from only 16 starts have come on firm ground, and this meeting is set to start on Good 4.

Chorlton Lane was allotted the 59kg top-weight, but he's been hauling big imposts for nearly all of his career, and will likely settle well back from the wide gate & be saved up for a closing surge over the final 350m.

A strong field has assembled for the second edition of the $200K Community Chest run under Quality and non-claiming conditions, each of the 12 runners supporting a local charity and community group for their share of a $50K bonus pool.

The big threat in the race is likely to come from Battleton who backs up in eight days from a luckless third placing in a BM 94 at Newcastle last Saturday, rushing home late after being held up in traffic.

An underrated six-year-old from the Bjorn Baker stable at Warwick Farm, Battleton has never raced better, and looks very well treated here, only 1.5kg over the limit 54kg weight.

Connections of six-year-old Elettrica will also be confident coming off a tough BM 78 win in Fillies & Mares company at Rosehill three weeks ago, and she's another suited on the firming track.

Locally-trained six-year-old Super Helpful returns to defend his Community Chest crown having not won since, but signalled he was on track by running home fairly in a strong Barn Dance (1300m) edition at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.

The big meeting kicks off at 1.25pm with a Class 1 Plate over 2000m; while the Community Chest is scheduled for a 4.25pm jump.

My Canberra Community Chest Tips:

1. CHORLTON LANE

2. Battleton

3. Elettrica

4. Super Helpful

GOOD LUCK

@NeilEvansmail