Racing & Sports Canberra Preview - 30 March 2022
The rail will be out 8m the entire suggesting on-pacers will be advantaged. The track is rates a Good 4 on race-day eve with some possible showers forecast for race afternoon. It’s a terrific program post Black Opal with plenty of good betting races. Good Sydney representation and some nice gallopers contest the Federal at 70 level.
Race 1 (1000m) Mdn SW
Tricky and the betting will be instructive. TEXERRO (6) is a Pierro gelding on debut and looked sharp in the most recent Warwick Farm trial. Draws handy and should go close in a winnable race. PYRAMID OF FIRE (5) has better support the latest but flopped on the heavy. Is likely to get a firmer surface and Loy is a key jockey switch. In good hands and is the best of the raced. DEEP FINESSE (1) and ECHO'S ARROW (2) both debut for sharp Sydney barns and the trials suggest they will win races. Looking for positive market moves.
Bet: With Texerro on what we’ve seen.
Race 2 (1200m) Mdn SW
HOW DO YOU SLEEP (2) switched from a leading Sydney barn and didn't miss a beat just missing here first-up belting home from the back. Has the rail today and Lloyd sticking is a lead. He goes on top from ESPADRILLE (10) who is an improver in the sharp Matt Dale barn. Uses the low gate and Penza rides and strikes at 22% with the barn. Raced favourite at Riverside (Wagga) on debut and it was a good effort. VAAROOM (5) has the ability but has disappointed on numerous occasions. Needed it here first-up and gets the winkers first time. Has the figures but trust required. DERANGED (8) resumes and is also in a top local barn. May need one but is worth keeping safe.
BET: How Do You Sleep to win.
Race 3 (2000m) CL1
MIKASA (10) is in a strong Sydney barn and presents fourth-up off the Hawkesbury near-miss at 1800m. Will likely push forward and is sure to take beating. GALIERRO (2) is fully fit and has been threatening. Had a tough run here the latest and draws better today. The Robl yard strikes at 25% this track (28 runners). CHANCE REWARD (6) folded late out-graded in the Group 3 and then ran 11-8 in the Maiden (also at Goulburn) and got run over late. Will be better for that and is a player over the longer trip using the rail. AURORA FLORENTINA (3) is in good Sydney-hands and is better than the recent efforts suggest. Like Penza's booking and look for the well-bred mare to be finishing hard.
BET: Backing Mikasa.
Race 4 (1400m) Mdn
AIRCRAFTMAN (1) presents as another strong winning chance for the John Thompson barn. Just missed at Canterbury first-up on the good and then went back and had no luck on the heavy bet 11-9F. He has more up the sleeve and finds the right race. CHENZEL (5) debuts for one of the nation's premier barns and the speed-bred filly has looked sharp in here three most recent city trials. Has the sticky gate but is likely to have the speed to manage that. Keep very safe. NOBLE EXCEPTION (2) is a lightly raced colt resuming for the Nick Olive barn. Draws to ride the speed and is sure to have come on. Just missed two-back and that would have her very competitive in this. NEED FOR GREED (11) and MANDALONG MISSILE (14) are both going well enough to get some money.
BET: Backing Aircraftman.
Race 5 (1600m) Bm 60
FOURMADEC (5) placed twice here and then made a big impression winning here 16 days ago belting home from the back as favourite. Peaks now with a handy 2kg claim and suited at the mile the promising Matt Dale galloper can go right on with it. LAMBARDI (8) has been busting to win and forget the latest at Goulburn on the heavy track. Missed a lip there prior on the slow and has even better figure on dry surfaces. Rates well and draws for the run of the race. CARTOGRAPHY (9) spiked his figures beaten 1.6L at Nowra in a CL2 and then didn't appreciate the deep track at Goulburn. A chance drawn handy with Penza a key jockey booking. DIAMOND STAR (7) surprised the market beaten 1L behind Fourmadec here. Is likely to settle back off the rail and that's the query. Loy sticking is a plus.
BET: Backing Fourmadec to win.
Race 6 (1300m) Bm65
TWIG (13) resumes for the sharp Matt Dale barn and the promising mare presents off an easy heavily-bet win at Wagga and Penza sticks from that. Draws for the run of the race and is sure to be further improved. THE RAMPANT (4) resumes for a top Sydney yard off the Goulburn Maiden win bet 4-5. Missed a lip in a recent Randwick trial and the 2kg claimer will press forward. Is sure to give a sight. EL PRADOS (7) didn't get warm on the deep track at Goulburn in a 66 but was just beaten the two before on the dry and they stack right up. Race fit with a 2kg claim and is a player. EMMA'S GIFT (9) and MERC (10) are racing well and may prove next best.
BET: Twig on what we've seen.
Race 7 (1000m) Bm 70 – Federal
A terrific Federal with some sharp gallopers engaged. PRETTY WOMAN (4) resumed off Group and Listed races and was too good on the Goulburn heavy at CL2 level. Has much better dry-track figures and the Matt Dale-trained filly can go on with it with the benefit of the 2kg claim. MISS OSTEND (9) has contested Listed grade but didn't come up last campaign. Is certainly good enough and Cahill's booking suggests she's pleasing. Draws low and the race-day betting will tell plenty. DISTILLATE (7) is Pretty Woman's stablemate. Wasn't beaten far first-up at Moonee Valley and then led and missed a whisker here 16 days ago. Has a handy 2kg claim and the speed to clear the awkward gate. A winning chance. BROTHERS OF ANTRIM (6) just beat the above home in that contest and it was a good effort after a slow off. Gets the visors for the blinkers but will need a good ride from a sticky barrier.
BET: Pretty Woman gets the nod.
Race 8 (1200m) CL1
GLAMOUR RUNS DEEP (3) can round out a good day for the sharp Matt Dale barn. Was heavily-bet here first up 10-9 running out of puff late and had just the one run the previous preparation just missing bet 10-11. She has more up the sleeve and has the speed to clear the sticky gate. Fitter and the one to beat over the longer sprint. SHOCKING FORCE (7) has been racing well in provincial company. Was beaten 1L three-back in a Gosford 64 and that stacks right up for this. BEAU ROCK (2) led and missed a nose here this grade a month ago and can build on that. CLEVER CHOICE (12) peaks now and spiked her figures here the latest with Pike aboard. Has the blinkers applied again and can get into the money. MITTATA (4) resumes with Loy booked and goes fresh. Has good ability and keep onside.
BET: Backing Glamour Runs Deep.