Racing & Sports Canberra Racing Preview - 13 November 2022
The rail is out 7m the entire. The track Thursday was rated a good but there is a stack of rain forecast through to - and including – race day, and BOM have been getting it mostly right during a wet spring. Plenty of interesting contests and most will be good betting affairs.
Race 1 (3400m) Bm85
Tipping the Matt Smith barn holds the aces. MONREAL (2) raced at Moonee Valley over 3000m off a Group 3 and then placed the latest at Gosford back in trip. Rock-hard fit and expect him to see it right out. Stablemate TRUE MARVEL (1) is third-up off a Group 3 and ready to show his best. He's won in Melbourne over 3600m so this should hold no fears. Heywood has a good record with the barn. BASTIDA (4) is also Sydney-trained and can show more. Earlier in the year was tried in the St Leger at Flemington over 2800m. AZZUREOUS (5) is Victorian trained. It's an ask second-up but his presence interests.
BET: The betting should help sort out the Smith runners.
Race 2 (1400m) Mdn
LENSMAN (1) brought strong form to resumption beaten a half-length at Wagga a 2-1 favourite. Likes it wet and plenty of rain is forecast. Heywood sticks on the Albury galloper and fitter he should go close. FINAL COMMENT (5) is an improver from the Nick Olive barn. Draws for the run of the race and Penza's booking is a decent lead. A player. MAGPIE CHORUS (11) was plain the latest at the mile, but the placing here two-back would see him competitive. Draws to advantage and gets in light with the claim. SUMMERSET GIRL (8) is in a sharp local barn and can show more with two starts under the belt. The winkers are applied first time. LOTS OF FIDDEES (10) is Lensman's stablemate and would be in the mix finding her best.
BET: Lensman makes most appeal.
Race 3 (1200m) Mdn SW
Tricky and the race-day betting will be instructive. WINSTON HILLS (6) trialled well and missed a lip at Kembla Grange on debut (slow track). Has the blinkers applied first-time and 26% stable striker Heywood goes on. Fitter and gets her chance. BITE YOUR TONGUE (3) raced handy and just missed on the same day. Should have the early speed to manage the outside gate and is a chance if he does. SUNSHINE IN PARIS (12) debuts for one of the nation's better barns and has been well-trialled. Draws for a soft run and keep very safe. ASGARDA (10) debuts from the rail and owns a Wagga trial win. Has the rail and 2kg claim and she's a betting watch was well. BONUS TEMPUS (5) may need one or two but has a 4kg claim and likes it wet. Has shown enough to consider.
BET: Winston Hills on what we've seen.
Race 4 (2000m) Cl1 SW
PUT TO SHAME (3) positions handy. Was plain at Wagga two-back but the form around that reads well for this. Missed a lip the latest at the mile after a slow start. This is winnable if she runs the middle distance right out. UPTOWN BOY (11) was okay on resumption in a strong Maiden and then worked home fairly over the mile when expected to need it. Gets the blinkers first time and should run along. In a top Sydney barn and can make quick improvement. EL BRAVO (5) met trouble at Kembla Grange this trip and go on the 1.8L defeat there prior at the mile. Has switched barns and is a fit galloper who likes it wet. SEA CROSSING (2) was much better at Goulburn placing at the mile as favourite. First time this distance but would likely prefer a good surface. A weather-watch.
BET: Leaning to Put To Shame.
Race 5 (1000m) Bm65
DELIGHTFUL DREAM (2) missed a nose here first up and it was an impressive effort from the back. May not want it too wet but he's come back better, and fitter will take beating with average luck in the run. HARD CORE (1) resumed much improved and followed that effort with a comfortable win in a 66. The 4kg claim helps with the weight lift at this level. A strong chance to go on. THE NEON KNIGHT (5) improved sharply just beaten here in the 60 carrying a big weight. He'll be right in it holding that form. MANDALONG SUPERB (7) resumed with a game on-pace win on the heavy and then came here and disappointed as favourite. Fitter now and gets some gear changes. Should enjoy the run of the race.
BET: Giving Delightful Dream the nod.
Race 6 (1400m) Cl1
A good race. INVASIVE (2) wasn't far away at the provincials before delivering the comfortable Maiden win at Muswellbrook bet a 10/11 favourite. In a top Sydney barn and goes wet and dry. He will push forward and looks capable of taking the next step. LADY TABLOID (7) resumes for the Olive barn and is likely to have come on. Uses the low barrier and has weight relief at this level. TAVIFERN (3) resumes from the rail for a top local barn and was last seen winning a Wagga Maiden easily bet 4-6F at the mile. Lightly raced and has 26% stable striker Heywood aboard. Tipping the former Kiwi has plenty to offer. I'M NOT LEAVING (4) won the Maiden as expected at the Sapphire Coast and races at top. Improving and can't be ruled out.
BET: Staying with Invasive.
Race 7 (1600m) Bm70-Federal
SWEET HONESTY (14) has won 2/3 this preparation and absolutely trounced the 65 graders here 12 days ago on the heavy. Draws to advantage and should have them covered reaching peak fitness. Harder sorting the rest. SKY DIAMONDS (11) is the above's stablemate and was tracking well on wet surfaces before a plain effort at Goulburn on the dry. Has to manage the outside barrier but a bounce is on the cards. STREET CRED (12) came back to the mile here this grade and was just beaten. Not sure he'd want the track too deep, but he will position forward and get his chance. TOULON BROOK (4) is hard to catch but has the ability and presents off a freshen. In good hands and it won't surprise if he's presented on-song.
BET: Keen on Sweet Honesty.
Race 8 (1300m) Bm60
Competitive. VAAROOM (8) is delivering on his early promise and as expected won here second-up on a heavy track. Draws awkwardly today but has early tow and Owen sticks. Fitter and can take the next step. GEMINIDS (13) seeks the hat-trick off a dominating win here in a CL1. He also draws sticky but is an improver should go close. BLAZING SUNRISE (4) turned the form around beaten 1.3L at Goulburn on a good surface. That reads okay and a wetter track shouldn't bother. Again draws to advantage and Penza is a key jockey switch. PAY THE DEELER (14) brings the best last start figure recorded when just beaten at Swan Hill. He lobs here after 9-days but the outside gate has to be mastered. Deserves plenty of consideration regardless. MISS LENORR (11) may need one more but is up to this and respect the Sydney barn.