Racing & Sports Canberra Preview - 16 September 2022

Race 1 (1000m) Bm 60

DIAMOND CITY (5) resumes and will be winning if she turns up on-song. Led and belted the Wyong Maiden two-back and has up trialled twice. Runs along and represents a strong Sydney barn. EMMA'S GIFT (1) missed a nose resuming in a CL3 and then raced favourite here in a Federal at 70 level and began awkwardly.  Fitter and the 2kg claim brings her into it. CHALKLEY (2) things didn't work out at Muswellbrook s favourite and go on the Bathurst near-miss prior when he led. The De Montfort barn is usually around the mark when it brings horses here. REDHAIR'N'FRECKLES (9) won the Maiden here first-up a month ago and ran a very competitive figure. The rail is against, but she keeps Penza and is worth consideration. YESTERDAY'S GONE (6) peaks and didn't have much luck here at the last meeting. Ran his best race in that and is in the mix.

BET: Keen on Diamond City.

Race 2 (1000m) Mdn

CLYMENE (4) is a former Victorian who just missed first-up before disappointing as favourite at Forbes off a wide barrier. The speedy galloper has been freshened and will use the inside gate. Penza is a key jockey booking and the Matt-Dale barn is flying. WOODBRAID LAD (12) lifted his game at the back of the last campaign and resumes in light with the 3kg claim. Has plenty of scope for improvement and no surprise if he's wound up this time around. I'M NOT LEAVING (2) is lightly-raced and led and placed here before the spell. Brings a Nowra trial win and he will push forward and will be naturally improved. CHILEAN EXPRESS (5) draws wide but is going well enough to feature if she takes her place. LA MIA VIA (6) has disappointed the two runs back but draws better today and will be fitter.

BET: Clymene has plenty more to give.

Race 3 (1400m) Bm 60

Like the two Sydney-trained gallopers. THINK GLORY (1) switched from a Queensland barn and just missed the placings first-up on the Ballarat synthetic. Turns up here 17 days later and three-back wasn't beaten far in an Ipswich CL3 on the slow. Fitter and the one to beat if she gets through the ground. SQUIGGLES (5) surprised the market beaten 1.5L here behind Shaddy on the slow. Draws handy and Adkins stays in the saddle. BIG STEVE (6) tries hard and has some weight relief. Draws wide but likes heavy conditions. LADY OF FORTUNE (10) has disappointed her last two but won a CL2 from the speed in heavy conditions prior. Keeps Owen and it wouldn't surprise if she bounced. REBELLIOUS MISS (11) would be in the mix finding here best.

BET: Think Glory if the betting suggests stable confidence.

Race 4 (2000m) Bm 65

Plenty of chances on paper. ESSENTIAL SKY (9) is Sydney-trained and missed a lip resuming at the mile. Didn't have much luck after on the Randwick heavy in much stronger than this. Has more to give at the middle distance and Penza's booking is a lead. SUCCESSFUL STAR (11) won the CL1 here this trip as a well-bet favourite. Likes it wet and will enjoy the run of the race. A decent chance. STREET CRED (5) loves this track and trip and looked a run short here two-weeks ago at the mile. The stable has never gone better. Keep onside. THE PRES (10) rates well off the big 65 win here at the mile. Has an awkward gate but is in-well with the 3kg claim. Worth another chance at this trip.

BET: Think this is winnable for Essential Sky and the race-day betting will tell the story.

Race 5 (1300m) Mdn SW

Tricky but a good contest. IN MY FEELINGS (8) is in one of the nation's premier barns and has been busting to win on synthetic tracks in Victoria. Wasn't beaten far her only wet track and peaks on a 17-day turnaround. Fit and just needs to get through the ground to take beating. BIRDONAWING (12) resumes and is also in good hands. Brings strong Queensland form and has the early speed to clear the awkward barrier. Handle the heavy and can feature if the stable keeps her in. AUTISSIER (7) is lightly raced and has switched from a leading Queensland barn to Matt Dale. Raced favourite just pipped at the Sunshine Coast on debut and first-up was heavily bet at the Gold Coast and didn't have the best of it. Has been away 47 days and keep very safe. AWESOME JOHN (10) and MISS CAPELLA (9) both have upside and deserve consideration.

BET: Going with In My Feelings and the race fitness.

Race 6 (1600) CL1 SW

The Neasham pair look top hopes, but they have also accepted at Newcastle and Flemington. The barn has a record of scratching fancied runners here on race morning playing havoc with the markets. FLYING WITNESS (8) will be better for the close-up efforts at Wyong and Warwick Farm with the latter at this trip. Draws out but finds plenty easier. Clearly rates to win. HALLOWED SON (10) is also Sydney-trained and peaks off the near-miss at Scone at this distance improving again. That's good soft track form and the awkward barrier may not be too much of a disadvantage given the likely conditions. He's ready to win. Neasham-trained ARMALITE (14) is still a Maiden but will be better for the first-up run at Warwick Farm. His best figure was recorded three-back at Eagle Farm on debut (Open 2). Hasn't seen a heavy track but she draws to advantage and will likely handle it. FLYING MIA (7) is a local knocking on the door. Gets the visors first time and will run along from the low gate. The last 100m is the query.

BET: Flying Witness to win. Hallowed Son the sub.

Race 7 (1200m) Bm 70 – TAB Federal

ALLGEMEINE (10) has a terrific record here and only missed a lip resuming on the slow heavily-bet. He has more up the sleeve and the speedy galloper gets 4kg weight relief at 70 level. Gets Owen and will take beating. EXOTIC DEEL (7) just missed here a month ago this grade behind the promising Kelvedon Road. He can use the rail and Penza sticking is a positive. Fitter and a player. TEN BELLS (4) has had two runs this preparation in stronger city races. Heywood is booked and can secure a soft run. Fitter she can feature in a country 70. SUPER HELPFUL (5) resumes and has shown enough to say he can be very competitive if presented on-song. Brings a trial win and will cross and ride the speed

BET: Allgemeine can step up.

Race 8 (1200) CL1

Tricky with a stack first-up. SURFERS ROYALE (7) led and won the Maiden here on debut with a little in hand. Had been well trialled in Sydney and again the speedy colt draws to advantage. In a form Sydney barn and tipping he can take the next step with the additional fitness. BELLEISTIC KIDS (11) is better than the last two outings suggest. Took the Maiden out three-back from the front-end and was out-graded in Sydney after before drawing the carpark the latest. Has the rail and a 3kg claim and two key gear additions. Could surprise. HOW DO YOU SLEEP (2) resumes and had shown enough to suggest he'd be a player in presented forward. Penza's booking suggests he will be. SWEET HONESTY (10) resumes for the Dryden barn and will likely be further improved. She's cruelled by the outside gate but likes the heavy and is worth keeping onside.

BET: Sticking with Surfers Royale.