Racing and Sports Canberra Racing Review - 27 January 2024

They raced on a Good 4. The Rail was out 7m the entire and it helped to be on-pace.  Quayde Krogh rode a treble. Louis Beuzelin rode a double – both on the two Waterhouse-Bott-trained winners.

Race 1 1000m Mdn SW

It was a tricky race on paper and less than separated the first four home.  The Hawkesbury-trained debutant Dark Glitter $7 got the prize, despite doing plenty wrong. Dark Glitter sat back in the field off the rail and was the widest on turning. She looked to have plenty to offer but wanted to lay out badly for a good deal of the straight. She finally put her mind to it at the 125m and flew to finish over the top. Kitty Jinks just held second after enjoying a soft lead. She wanted to run about under pressure, and it was a good effort to hold on. The $2.70 favourite Taytay Bay was slow away, but she got a clean run through on the rail. She had to be restrained and redirected at the 200m when the leader ran out, losing momentum.  Cordiality $11 was a clear last at the 800m and met trouble in the skirmish at the 200m. Her’s was also a good effort to be beaten 0.9L in fourth. Vella Icon $3.40 raced on the leader’s flank but was also wayward at the business end and couldn’t be ridden right out. Like most here, Dark Glitter is a work in progress, but she impressed when she finally pinned the ears back.     

Race 2

The Waterhouse-Bott-trained Pro Forma $1.22 was the only one the punters wanted, and the colt duly delivered, finishing 1.3L ahead of Sugarfire $12, with My Last Hooray $8, a small margin further back in third. The other two finished a mile back. There was plenty of speed early, but Pro Former held the rail and travelled sweetly. He was clear at the 200m, and it was comfortable on the line. Sugarfire and My Last Hooray bit the finished resolutely. The former was badly inconvenienced shortly after the turn and there was merit in the effort.  Pro Forma looks handy.  

Race 3 

Waterhouse-Bott made it a race-to-race double with Matlock $7 just prevailing over the Matt Dale-trained Merisi $8.50. There was almost 2L back to third and fourth, with Starstruck Barbie $9.50 and Heir Jordan $4.40 filling those spots. Merisi railed behind the leader Starstruck Barbie and Matlock was content to bide his time beyond midfield.  Starstruck Barbie gave a great sight and was only nabbed at the 50m, first by Merisi and then by Matlock who got his head in front right on the post. It was a grinding run with a stack of merit given the 5yo gelding has been off the scene for 527 days. The favourite Region Time $3.60 raced back in the field but had every chance in the straight and was disappointing beaten 4.3L.  

Race 4 

Only four went around and there was little between the first three at the post. Major Time got the verdict by a whisker from Annual, with the $1.80 favourite Feel The Knight a neck further away in third. The veteran Major Time led and gave a big enough kick to hold off the two fast finishers. Doubt there’s much between the trio but with the handy 2kg claim, Major Time stole a march. 

Race 5 

The largest field of the day with a minor upset caused by the Nick-Olive-trained Miss Stalwart $13, who was 1L too good for the favourite White Liar $3.60. Jacob Joe $11 and Howlowcanyougo were the next pair home, finishing some 1.5L from the winner. Miss Stalwart was ridden quietly midfield and improved along the rail approaching the turn, racing keen at this point. She shot up the inside and got the upper handy at the 75m and came away. White Lair and Jacob Joe both raced forward and were camped on the leader as they turned for home. Howlowcanyougo sat behind them. They all had their chance. Miss Stalwart bounced off the plain effort at Orange and has now won three of her last four. 

Race 6 2000m CL1 SW

Occhiata was clearly the best of the raced brigade and was backed into $1.35F before delivering by 1L from Prince Papa $10, with 1.5L further back to Tenacious Lady $8 and Clever Cookie $12. Occhiata railed behind the leading pair and was blocked before forcing her way through a gap at the 225m. She soon put a gap on them and was much too strong on the line.  Price Papa had a wall in front as they headed for home but forced a gap and battled on strongly. Clever Cookie was on debut and settled back. He finished it off well and has a future. The winner was just too good. 

Race 7 1300m CL1

Denarau $2.20 and Taxpayer $2.35 dominated the betting, but it was the locally trained Where Is Ken $11 who spoiled the party. He won by a whisker from Denarau. Third-placed Heromania $13 was beaten nearly 3L, finishing a half-length ahead of Taxpayer.  Taxpayer led and Where Is Ken took the sit. Denarau found a good spot not far away. After the turn Taxpayer gave a kick but was done by the 200m and Where Is Ken and Denarau were left to fight out a stirring finish. It was a big form reversal for Where Is Ken who was nicely rated by Krogh.