Racing & Sports Canberra Preview - 20 January 2023
Race 1 (1000m) Bm60
SAIKO (2) brings two placed efforts to peak and drops back in grade and trip. He can position closer in the small field and Penza sticking is a plus. In good hands and will get every chance to finish over the top of them. BLEUE'S CHOICE (1) can control the race from the rail and continues to threaten. He was just pipped at Moruya 8-days ago - spiking his figures - and will take plenty of catching. LILY ELSIE (4) was better at Nowra and will be fitter. Missed a whisker at Newcastle earlier in the year and she'd be a decent chance getting back to that form. MY GIRONA (3) and EUROSAY (5) and will likely need the outing.
BET: Leaning to Saiko.
Race 2 (1000m) Cl1
A small field but a good contest. KIMBERLEY SECRETS (4) is a promising filly resuming for the Olive yard. Won on debut and then was heavily bet after finding one better. She's likely to come back better again and the recent Canberra trial was good. MASTER JOE (1) can prove the testing material. Led and won the Goulburn Maiden first-up heavily bet and then attempted to repeat the goes at Wagga beaten narrowly by Supido Beauty. Drops in grade and has the blinkers applied the first time. Penza sticks and he will take catching. REGION TIME (5) resumes and was an easy heavy-track Maiden winner here before the spell. Ran a good figure in that so must be kept safe.
BET: Leaning to Kimberley Secrets.
Race 3 (1600m) CL1SW
Competitive. SPITFIRE (2) was threatening at the provincials before switching to the Matt Dale yard and winning the Maiden this trip at Albury. Draws for the run of the race and looks capable of taking the next step. ARCH OF TITUS (7) led at Orange in a CL1 and just missed spiking his figures. Looks to have turned the corner and Dolan takes over from the apprentice. GRAVY TRAIN MAGPIE (6) was lipped out at Moruya hand and has more to give. Uses the rail and his form at mile is strong. DESI EMPEROR (4) is a Maiden winner stepping up. He delivered at Muswellbrook with something in hand and will get every chance racing handy. HOW DO YOU SLEEP (1) has been racing well without winning. Was bet a 6-4 favourite here 9-days ago and may be looking for this trip.
BET: Sticking with Spitfire.
Race 4 (1000m) Mdn SW
FROSE (6) was beaten 1L here first up off a long break. He draws handy again and is sure to have come on. Day stays aboard and it's hard to risk the slick Sydney yard. DANCING ALONE (5) was a 1.4m yearling and comes to the races as a 3yo owning a string of sharp trials. Not surprisingly she's bred to be good and draws to advantage. She'll be here to win and the race-day market will tell plenty. PROMETIO MAS (3) is an improver in the leading local barn. Raced favourite here last time and can get some of the money. BLACK EHSOM (1) resumes and has been gelded since last seen. Brings a solid Randwick trial and the Thompson barn always demands respect when it brings gallopers to Canberra. Keep an eye on the race-day betting.
BET: Frose with the race fitness and experience. Wary of Dancing Alone on debut.
Race 5 (1600m) Bm65
YOU ARE KING (2) won here and then came back 9-days ago and was pressured on-speed beaten into second as a 9-10 favourite. Draws to advantage and Dolan goes on today for Penza. In good hands and deserves another chance. TIP TOP TIMING (5) went well at Randwick and capped that form with the 66 win at Nowra. He's likely to use the rail to advantage and is a decent chance to repeat. Penza sticks with BEL SUONO (6) who presents off the CL3 win at Moruya. He won't have to improve much to be in the finish. SUPER VIEW (9) finds harder but wasn't far away here three weeks ago. Has 4kg weight relief and the winkers on again.
BET: Going with You Are King.
Race 6 (1200m) Bm70 - Federal
Hard to go past I AM MAMWAAZEL (4) who was just gunned down 9-days ago in a 65 by a nice type in Health Beauty. Led and won comfortably the two before also at Canberra and the well-bred gelding keeps getting better. TWIG (6) resumed with a solid CL3 win at Goulburn. She's been briefly freshened and has the winkers applied again. This is harder but she is on the improve and the Matt Dale team is flying. EMMA'S GIFT (2) has won three of her last four and it was a big effort here the latest. 3x winning rider Alysha Collett is reunited and she will get every chance to repeat. Matt Dale-trained SECRETIVELY (1) has been racing in town and will find this more suitable. He's hard to catch but runs along and the visors are applied first time. The in-form Owen is booked at won on him three back in a Gundagai CL3. DELIGHTFUL DREAM (3) keeps threatening and drops from Open grade. Doubt there's more upside but he's good enough.
BET: I Am Mamwaazel can bounce back.
Race 7 (1000m) Open 2
MAKE A CALL (1) debuted in the Group 3 Breeders Plate and raced greenly. He's warmed up for his resumption with two city trials and has the winkers applied first time. Team Snowden strikes at more than 30% in Canberra and expect the colt to be improved and ready to go. GANBARE (4) debuts for Waterhouse-Bott and is feared. Has the low barrier and he's looked the goods at the trials. Will likely lead from the advantageous barrier and take catching. CHASING A QUID (2) is an improver from the local Vella barn. He found one better at Warwick Farm on debut and is a chance third-up and drawn low. ISTORIA GIRL (8) debuted 41-days ago in the Listed Inglis Nursery and raced new. Penza's booking interests and she's worth a look. CHOP THE ICE (3) debuts and has trialled well over 900m at this track. Should enjoy a soft run and deserves consideration.
BET: Make A Call with the race experience.
Race 8 (1300m) Mdn
A competitive race to end the program. WITNESS TO LOVE (6) is a bit stiff not to have broken through and resumed with a 1.4L defeat at Wagga when expected to need it. She has more to give and this is winnable with average luck from the sticky barrier. VELLA MAGIC (4) is busting to win and just found one a bit too good the latest. Has the blinkers applied the first time and they may be enough to get her home. WHAT WILL BE (11) was much better placing here three weeks ago. She likely to use the rail and will be fitter again. BREAKAWAY WEEK (7) was supported in that contest but just battled. The outside gate makes it tougher. MISS STALWART (3) was beaten 3L against the above having her debut outing. Penza's booking suggests the Olive-trained galloper can make quick improvement.
BET: Backing Witness To Love.