Racing and Sports Canberra Review - 20 March 2024

The Rail was out 7m the Entire. They raced on a Soft 7. Training honours were evenly shared. Damon Budler and Danny Beasley both rode doubles. Good competitive racing. 

Race 1 1000m Mdn 

Three of the best supported in the betting made the trifecta with SUTTON VELLA $4.60 winning comfortably (1.2L) fromLADY DE GUISE $4.40, with the favourite JOURNO $4.40, 3.8L from the winner in third.  The disappointment was the debutant TANGO QUEEN $4.60 who began awkwardly and raced greenly. She did not lengthen under pressure in the straight. The filly was vet-cleared post-race. Lady De Guise led with Sutton Vella on her outside. Journo got the perfect sit, just behind. Sutton Vella got the upper hand over Lady De Guise approaching the 100m and came away to win. Journo has every chance but lacked the zip at the business end. A tidy effort by the lightly raced winner.  

Race 2 1000m Bm 50 

There were three horses in the market with BELLA ACE $4.20 proving the best of them. She beat home FORBIDDEN GEMSTONE $15 by almost 2L with TWIN SEAS $14 and PROPHET TIME $4.80 close-up next. The favourite HEAVENLY PROPHET $3.10 was a big shortener but began awkwardly from the rail and had to be pushed along to stay in range. She was done at the 200m. There was a group of six intent on riding the speed with Bella Ace emerging to lead at the 800m. Twin Seas found the trail and Forbidden Gemstone raced wide throughout in the leading division. Prophet Time raced handy and was well positioned as they turned for home. He tried hard but lacked a knockout punch. Bella Ace was clear at the 200m and held a good margin to the line. There was a stack of merit in Forbidden Gemstone’s effort.  In addition to the wide run, the rider dropped her whip passing the 200m. A well-measured ride by the 4kg claimer on the winner.  

Race 3 1600m CL1 SW 

It was a tough race to assess, and they jumped $4.60 the field. FINAL RESET $5 got the decision by 0.5L from IMALOVABOY $6, with TAYTA BAY $7 holding a clear third, 1.7L from the winner. There was a nasty incident passing the 800m where rider Cherchi was dislodged when his mount HASIME $4.60F fell. Guymer (DUNJENNI $8) and Penza (EPIC STATEMENT $9) were also dislodged. HARDAZHELL $26 was caught up in the same incident. Evidence was taken from 7 riders and the inquiry was subsequently adjourned to a date to be fixed. Rider Cherchi was transported to the hospital. Guymer and Penza were stood down. Several of the finishers were hampered by the incident, and this must be considered when assessing the form. Nevertheless, the victor Final Reset was first-up and delivered back-to-back wins. He shows plenty of promise and will win better races. 

Race 4 1300m Mdn SW

A favourite finally delivered for punters with PHORONEUS $3.20 getting the verdict by 1L from Major Desire $12 with CLEVER COOKIE $4.40 a further length away in third. After being trapped wide in the early stages Major Desire was allowed to stride forward to the lead passing the 1000m. Phoroneus sat forward off the rail in a cozy spot and Clever Cookie was one of the last on settling after a slow beginning. The fourth-placed Disrupt had the run of the race behind the leader. Major Desire held a 1L lead at the 200m, but Phoroneus was coming hard and came away after collaring the former inside the 100m Clever Cookie was the eye-catcher.  The filly was a mile back and wide on the turn and powered home. Blackbook her. The winner’s Black Opal effort was a strong pointer. Major Desire was second-up and can go on from this. UP TO ME $7 didn’t have the best of it was plain all the same.   

Race 5 1600m BM 65 

The outsider CYBORG $21 delivered the day’s upset winning by 1.5L from BRINGBACKTHEBEARS $17, with CARING LASS $5.50F and DECIMUS $6.50 close-up in third and fourth. All the above sat midfield or beyond and the field closed after the 600m. They were across the track on the turn with Cyborg hitting the front down the middle. He held a comfortable margin on the line. Bringbackthebears gave away a big start and powered to the line on the outside. The effort had ‘next time’ written all over it. Caring Lass battled on well. Decimus missed the start by a space and was only beaten 2L. He’s one to stay with as well. Cyborg is hard to catch but he won this fair and square.   

Race 6 1000m Open- Federal

The clear favourite BLUE GROTTO $2.70 appealed as the best of the day and got the job done. He had a 1L margin on the line from LIGHT PRESS $8 who finished a touch ahead of Annual $21. Extravagant Lad was next home, 2.3L from the winner. SMOKESHOW $5.50 was disappointing, finishing a long last. The rider said the mare raced greenly and, in her opinion, may have choked down. No abnormalities were revealed post-race. It was busy early. Annual found the lead from a low barrier and Blue Grotto settled in a nice spot just behind and found a nice split on the turn. Annual was still in front at the 50m fighting hard but Blue Grotto was finishing hard down the center with Light Press on his outside. Beasley’s strength told in the end with the gelding finding 1L on the line. He has now won 5/9 and will be better for this out. Nice efforts the next two home. Annual almost pinched it 

Race 7 1300m CL 1 

The Neasham-trained NETTLES drifted from $3.90 to start at $6, but got the job done by 0.4L from SINGLE ATTRACTION $6.50-$11, with FIELD AGENT $16, 0.8L from the winner in third. Single Attraction was trapped wide in the early-middle stages and made a sharp forward move after the 900m to get a better spot and led. Nettles positioned on the rail behind the speed. Field Agent settled midfield away from the fence. There were four chances at the 200m spread across the track. Nettles came up the inside and, under a punishing ride by Collet, prevailed over a brave Single Attraction. Field Agent was putting in the big ones in third. The favourite SCALEXTRICS $2.70 had to be checked passing the 800m. He was one of the widest on the turn and finished it off okay.