Racing & Sports Canberra Preview - 30 December 2022
Race 1 (2000m) BM65
COUNT ON ME (1) has struggled to threaten in his first two runs back but looks to face a much more suitable assignment. Drawn nicely and reunites with Reece Jones who's 1/1 aboard. JESSANDI (5) got off the mark in nice style two back before finding it a touch too tough for her last time. Gets in well at the weights with the 2kg claimer sticking. DIAMOND CLASS (3) continues to knock on the door putting together three placings on end. Damon Budler has been aboard in all three career victories. Likely to threaten. Can also entertain ADELAIDE'S DIAMOND (2).
BET: Count On Me to win
Race 2 (1200m) BM60
I AM MAMWAAZEL (3) didn't give his rivals a sniff at the latest when leading pillar to post. Boasts a handy record at this venue but is up the weights. ENZINA (4) has good early dash and will waste little time working to the front. Has been thereabouts after her fresh win. Can figure. SOLOIST (1) returns. Is a first-up winner and is fitter for a quiet lead-up trial. Worth some thought. EVANORA (7) is not the worst either.
BET: I Am Mamwaazel on top
Race 3 (1300m) MDN
UP TO ME (3) returned in good order at the latest when rattling home to narrowly miss at Moruya. Strips fitter for this similar assignment. Ready to break through. AMARANTZ (6) came with a barnstorming run fresh when closing off strongly from the rear to find the frame. Gets weight relief and can settle closer to the action from the draw. PROMETIO MAS (2) has good early toe and will land a prominent position from the inside draw. Stable flying. Will give backers a great sight. BULLEYES (4) showed promising signs on debut when closing off gamely to the line at Goulburn. Open to improvement and is worth keeping safe.
BET: Up To Me to win
Race 4 (1300m) CL1
DIRTY MERCHANT (1) returns a gelding for the smart Annabel Neasham team. Readied for this with a soft Hawkesbury trial placing. Best figures stack up very well. BIANCO VILANO (3) was handy fresh when battling on gamely into the placings. Strips fitter and steps out to a winning trip. ZAMBRERO (6) was a barnstorming winner fresh last time in at Grafton. Fitter for a recent Warwick Farm trial win. Sure to be competitive.
BET: Keen on Dirty Merchant
Race 5 (1600m) CL1
JAMROCK (6) was close to getting off the mark last time out when beaten a neck at Wyong. Open to further improvement and is drawn to get a soft run. Hard to knock. YOU ARE KING (3) has plenty of early dash and will waste no time finding the front the low draw. Rock-hard fit now and ready to win again. MISS ADRENALIN (8) came with a good run here at latest when falling just under a length shy. Drawn nicely and the extra 200m should suit. MORE SAINTLY (9) made solid in-roads to the line on debut when finishing midfield at Hawkesbury. Open to plenty of improvement.
Race 6 (1400m) BM50
APPETITE FOR RISK (4) carries plenty of confidence into this coming off his all the way victory here at the latest. Up significantly in the weights for this easier assignment. Leading hope. VINTAGE BOROSSA (8) is shooting for the hat-trick off the back of two narrow victories. Will find this tougher but winning form hard to ignore. NEWTOWN BRAVEHEART (6) has been thereabouts of late but has struggled to land the knockout blow. Drawn nicely. Ready to score. MARKOVA (9) failed to follow up her win two back at Queanbeyan. Form out of last outing has stuck up well with three subsequent winners. Worth good thought.
BET: Markova each-way
Race 7 (1000m) CLAN O’SULLIVAN HANDICAP
DENMAN STAR (1) was unlucky not to get off the mark at the latest when lipped at Warwick Farm. Gets the Blinkers applied first time to help him focus. From a smart stable and ready to shed his maiden tag. HOKUSAI (5) is a filly by up-and-coming sire Brave Smash who's ready to debut for team Waterhouse & Bott. Has shown promising signs in two lead-up trial placings and draws nicely. Bright start expected. MISS BELGIUM (7) battled on gamely to the line last start in the city. Drawn to get the gun run on her home track. Likely to threaten. LOVE SHUCK (3) is another debutant. Goulburn trial winner in readiness. Respect any betting moves.
BET: Denman Star to win
Race 8 (1000m) OPEN
MR MOPPETT (6) followed up his dominant win two back with a sound performance last time at Pakenham. Only a slight rise in the weights for this easier assignment and stays over a preferred trip. Hard to beat. SMUGGLER'S BAY (4) is ticking along nicely this prep, knuckling down smartly at the latest to get the verdict. All six career wins have come over this journey and a winning hoop sticks. MAJOR TIME (3) is a track and trip specialist. Ticking along really well this campaign and this looks within his grasp. SHORES OF AVALON (5) best of the rest.
BET: Mr Moppet hard to knock
Race 9 (1400m) BM70
TROOPER KNUCKLE (7) is flying at the moment, putting together three wins on end. Yet to win on his home track but is going too good to ignore. ALMOST PERSUADED (4) is another who's worked into some strong form, with wins in her last two - both over this distance. Tougher assignment but is drawn to advantage. PROPOSE TO ME (3) returns. Is 2/3 fresh and a track and trip winner. Ticks plenty of boxes.
BET: Trooper Knuckle to win
Race 10 (1000m) MDN
REBEL LOVE (7) was unlucky not to get off the mark fresh when beaten a neck at Newcastle. Has kept the legs ticking over with a trial in between runs. Leading hope. FROSE (6) returns for the very smart Maher & Eustace stable. Fitter for two recent trials and draws well. Worth plenty of thought. BEL'S IN CHARGE (5) has been thereabouts in her first two efforts. Open to further improvement. MARESCA (4) returns and was readied for this with a Kembla Grange trial win. Drawn to get the fun run. Could be threatening.
BET: Rebel Love to win