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Racing & Sports Canberra Preview - 26 November 2021

Rain is forecast through to and including race day and a heavy track won’t surprise. Some tough form assignments on this card and the feature Federal (Open grade) will be a good contest. The rail position is out +6 the entire. 

Race 1 (1000m) Man 2yo

Tricky and the race-day market will tell a lot. It's hard to go past COMMAND APPROVED (1), a Spirit Of Boom colt on debut for a top Sydney yard. Owns two city trial wins and the yard usually has them on-song when they compete here. ALL ASTERN (6) debuts for a top local barn and looked the goods in her recent trial. Will be well prepared and Guymer sticks from that. Stablemate NALABELLE (7) debuts off the same trial with Ward up and he sticks as well. There wasn't much between her and the above at the finish and that's likely to be the case on race-day. SPEAK NOW (3) is the second Waterhouse Bott debutant and draws the rail. Has had solid trials and the betting will be informative with him as well. OLD NEWMARKET (2) raced handy and found one much too good here on debut. Covered the others on the heavy track and will have come on. Has been gelded since and Cahill remains in the saddle. Has the race fitness and experience.

BET: Command Approved on what we've seen.

Race 2 (2000m) Bm65

CLEM FANDANGO (3) missed a whisker here the latest back to this trip. That was a career best for him, and he gets a key jockey switch to Loy. Was just beaten at Orange in September on a deep track so today's conditions shouldn't hinder. Has weight relief and will take beating. URJUWAAN (5) has won two of her last three with the latest an easy CL1 win here on a heavy surface. She gets in well again with the 2kg claim and is feared. RIVERSTOCK (2) has been racing in better grade and her best efforts are good enough to concede her a chance. STREET CRED (7) just missed this trip at Queanbeyan in easier. Gets weight relief but is a query on a heavy surface. In a canny yard that has a habit of surprising.

BET: Going with Clem Fandango.

Race 3 (1300m) Mdn

MIDNIGHT OASIS (6) is Sydney-trained and busting to win. Brings strong figures from provincial Maidens and punting he'll handle the wet surface. HARDNESS (1) trialled well and was backed off the map at Queanbeyan on debut, managing to place after laying out under pressure. Will be fitter and this circuit is more straight forward. Will likely control the race and it's hard to risk the Waterhouse-Bott yard at any time. BRYNNER (4) is also down from Sydney and resumes off solid city trials. Loy is a key jockey booking and the colt has shown enough to say he can be a player. HAYYU (13) led her 12 days ago on a heavy track and beat all but Allgemeine. Made a ratings spike and can't be ruled out. Note: Loy gets off replaced by Cahill.

BET: Backing Midnight Oasis.

Race 4 (1000m) Mdn SW

A tricky form assignment and the race-day market will inform. On what we've seen ONE POSE (11) is clearly the one to beat. Won a city trial before recording a decent placing at Gosford on debut. The Sydney galloper draws well, and Loy's booking is a push. Unknown a wet track but if he comes, he's likely to handle it. Ditto AS YOU WERE (2) who showed plenty on debut and resumes off a pair of solid Warwick Farm trials. Alysha Collett sticks from those and expect the colt to race well. SAN PAULO (3) debuts and just missed his latest Warwick Farm trial. Looks ready to go and the wide gate shouldn't bother as much today. BRAVE MASO (10) debuts and owns a good trial. Gets a handy barrier and Penza's booking interests.

BET: One Pose sets a decent standard.

Race 5 (1000m) Bm 60

An even contest on paper. HARALBEN (2) runs along and found one better third-up at Dubbo in better grade. Has the handy claim for a good apprentice and gets the nod racing at peak fitness. DIAMOND CLASS (8) is a local who was beaten a whisker here first-up. He draws out and won't have to improve much to be a player. Is back to a shorter sprint but has to be taken on trust on a deep track. HONEYSUCKLE CHOICE (5) was beaten a lip in the same race and handles slow surfaces. The local is hard-fit and should go close. DEBIT CREDIT (9) won at Queanbeyan and then disappointed down the coast after. Drawn for the run of the race and is worth a look.

BET: Going with Haralben.

Race 6 (1000m) CL1

I CALL JUNEE HOME (9) just missed as favourite before being backed again and delivering the Maiden easily at the Sapphire Coast. Has the speed to manage the sticky gate and can take the next step with a top hoop sticking with the local galloper. SCOFFA (5) led and won the Wagga Maiden by 5L from the front and couldn't have been more impressive on the slow surface. The rail advantages and he won't have to improve much to go close. KING GUTHO (3) is right up to this at best and handles heavy conditions. Disappointed first-up but gets the winkers applied and will push forward. Penza's booking is a lead. CHALKLEY (2) was a dual accepter and they've preferred to start him in this contest. Won the Maiden and then just battled at Hawkesbury in stronger grade. This suits better and winning rider Brewer is re-united.

BET: Leaning to I Call Junee Home.

Race 7 (1400m) Open (Federal)

A competitive Federal. GIRLS ARE READY (8) got the blinkers again and was just nudged out here 12 days ago on the heavy surface. Fitter now and the longer print suits. Draws well and gets 4.5kg weight relief in this grade. That may get her home in testing conditions. BANGER (4) has been busting to win this grade and go on the near-miss at Wagga two-back. Loy is a key jockey switch, and the gelding gets another chance. PEYTON PLACE (1) led on the heavy at Gundagai at this level and only gave it away late. Keeps the handy 3kg claim and always puts in. Will take passing. HEALING HANDS (2) was a big trial winner and was okay resuming on the heavy off a long break. His city form earlier in the year would have him right in the finish and chances are he's back on track.

BET: Leaning to Girls Are Ready.

Race 8 (1600m) CL1

ELEGANT CARRIAGE (6) won the Maiden first-up and then missed 1.4L here behind Hokahey and it was a big effort. Fitter now and can turn the tables. HOKAHEY (7) deserved that win from the speed racing favourite. Has more to give but draws an outside gate today and that's the query. STRAYA PRIDE (4) deserved the Maiden win at Port Macquarie and has stronger provincial figures in the CV. Penza is a key jockey booking and no surprise if the gelding went on with it. JACK THE BRUMBY (1) is hard to catch but keeps the small claim and he stuck on bravely from the speed here the latest on the heavy track.

BET: Leaning to the fitter Elegant Carriage.