Racing & Sports Canberra Racing Preview — 17 September 2021
With Covid movement restrictions we are racing again at Queanbeyan. The acceptances are strong and the Federal (Race 5) is particularly competitive. With fine weather in the Capital region the track should deliver a good racing surface.
Race 1 (1200m) Mdn
A tricky race to kick off the card and the betting will be instructive.
AFTERSHOCK (5) debuts and has switched to Team Joseph-Jones. Trialled four times for the Mathew Vella barn with the last one in January. Expecting her to be ready to go and the betting will tell the story.
POKER DICE (9) resumes for the premier Canberra barn and was last seen on debut in the G3 Black Opal Stakes running 100-1. He's sure to have come on and the market should say with him as well.
COUPLA DAYS (10) resumed here and battled on well. Will be better for it and the longer sprint suits.
ARAMIS EN AVANT (1) is speedy and would go close at best. Draws handy and Heywood's booking interests. Will take pegging back reaching peak fitness.
BET: Aftershock gets the nod with market proviso.
Race 2 (1000m) Mdn
ZHUKOVSKY (5) is a former Kiwi resuming for the leading local barn. Was last seen in July missing a lip in a Taupo trial. No surprise if she's wound up and goes close despite the sticky barrier.
HAYYU (8) resumes for a sharp Canberra barn and showed plenty the initial preparation. He's just missed here in an Open 3 and will take beating, drawn to advantage with a handy 3kg claim.
WHITE LIAR (4) resumes for the in-form Potter stable with the blinkers on first time and the 2kg claim for a promising apprentice. He wasn't beaten far at Wagga on debut and his best run came after that with a nose defeat at Orange. She will have come on and should race boldly.
HARDERTHANTHEREST (9) resumes for Canberra's premier barn and didn't have much luck her only start. Has a wide gate but is definitely a betting watch.
BET: With Zhukovsky if the money comes.
Race 3 (2000m) Bm65
NOTHING COMPARES (2) is a leader who was only beaten 1.8L in town off the comfortable win and then raced favourite in the 66 at Wagga beaten 1L back 200m to the mile. She gets the handy 2kg claim and should run it right out. Has the Matt Dale polish and will be hard to beat.
SAME OLD SCENE (5) can cross over and take a sit and brings strong middle-distance form. The win here two-back was big and a repeat would see her right in it.
INVINCIBLE DASH (4) has been going along well at the mile. He gets in well with the 2kg claim and his figures are good enough for this.
EERISED (8) will find this easier than Randwick (K) and may prove next best though back 400m.
BET: Going with Nothing Compares in a good contest.
Race 4 (1600m) CL1
MORE EXCITEMENT (11) missed a nose here 24 days ago when expected to win. The lift to the mile shouldn't bother and a senior hoop replaces the apprentice. In good hands and is ready to win drawn handy.
CHEEKY NUGGET (12) rates strongly but the 2kg claimer must manage the outside gate on the on-pacer. He's a genuine hope with average luck.
ROMAN CANDLE (2) improved again here placing this grade and trip. He been saved for this but the wide gate is a test for the 2kg claimer.
EPIZEEL (8) was plain here the latest on the heavy but the two before would have him around the mark.
BET: More Excitement can get a soft run.
Race 5 (1200m) Bm 75 (Federal)
PROPOSE A TOAST (7) resumed for the new barn with a near-miss on the Canberra synthetic. He then improved again beaten a nose at Kembla Grange from the front over 1400m. Must come back 200m but they will run along. He brings the best last-start figure and has more up the sleeve. Sits down in the weights and the fact that he was formerly trained on this tricky circuit is a plus.
DELACOUR (3) is speedy and brings a win and placing at this level. Was beaten by a progressive one here the latest and is worth another chance reaching peak fitness.
CYBORG (4) is a Norm Gardner stablemate who won in Wagga in Open grade before being beaten 1.5L at Moruya at the same level. Gets in well with the 2kg claim and is also a winning hope.
JAWWAAL (1) had no luck resuming on the Randwick (K). He placed at Flemington 70 prior seeking the hat-trick. Has placed 4/4 second-up and the speed-bred gelding is sure to be fancied.
BET: With Propose A Toast in a competitive Federal.
Race 6 (1200m) CL1
SUPERTANKER (1) has switched from the Widdup to the Pepper yard and is on a 38-day turnaround. She ran her best race the latest when leading beaten 1.8L at Hawkesbury. She can control the race from the rail and gets the handy 2kg claim for an in-form apprentice. The blinkers go on again and she should be winning.
BIG STEVE (2) resumed with the comfortable Maiden win at Moruya and then wasn't beaten far at the same venue. Fitter now and he has more to give. Has placed here and can make the quinella.
BRING IT BELLA (8) is a local who had support resuming on the Canberra synthetic and did nothing. She's been freshened and would be right in the finish at best. Draws out but must be considered.
LENNY'S LAD (4) will sit handy and has the 2kg claim. He continues to race well and won't be far away.
BET: Keen on Supertanker.
Race 7 (1460m) Bm60
MORE SHOTS (2) resumes and finds a winnable assignment. She put three together near the back of the last preparation and is a speedy galloper suited around the circuit. The yard has never gone better and the promising 2kg apprentice is booked.
REBELLIOUS MISS (7) is an improver who found Randwick too tough off two easy wins. She is back to the sprint off a freshen and is much better suited. Importantly she goes well at the track.
SUBTLY SPRING (5) resumes for the local barn seeking the hat-trick. He will be better over further but is 2/2 this circuit and that counts. Expect him to be wound up this time around.
SKYRAY (3) comes south for the Conners yard and was much better in stronger grade the latest. Tends to get back but Heywood is a positive jockey booking capable of managing.
BET: Leaning to More Shot.
Race 8 (1000m) BM 60
NEPHRADIVA (10) resumes for a top Canberra stable and two-back led and won an Albury Maiden by 4.3L. She will have come on and has been saved for this. The speedy filly will be suited around this circuit.
MO MORE CHICKEN (11) is a capable mare who was plainer third-up at Wagga. Ran strong figures when close-up the two-prior at Coffs Harbour. Gets the blinkers first time and is in well with the 2kg claim. She was just beaten here at the back of the last campaign and a sharper run is anticipated.
HONEYSUCKLE CHOICE (6) won the CL3 and then just missed at Bathurst both at better level. He was plainer the latest at Albury but wasn't far away. Peaks with a 3kg claim and placed her only run this course. A player.
DEVIATE (8) won here this grade and trip and then was out-graded at Wyong. Gets a low gate and the blinkers again and is also a chance.
BET: With Nephradiva who looks promising.