Racing & Sports Canberra Racing Preview — 21 May 2021

Racing returns for the winter on the rejuvenated Acton synthetic surface. Suits on-pacers and form has held up on this track in the past. Locals train on the surface giving a guide to the gallopers who appreciate it.

 

Race 1 (1206m) Open 2

 

Impact Star may be the one to lead.

 

IMPACT STAR (1) resumed with the comfortable win  at Port Macquarie and then went to Wagga beaten 1.5L. He ran his best figure in Canberra (grass) when beaten a nose on debut. Best of the raced and is fitter and drawn for the run of the race.

 

EASY ROSIE (6) debuts off two sharp Hawkesbury trials. McDougall's booking is a decent push for his chances. A bold run is anticipated.

 

HUMBLE STAR (2) had trialled well and was too good when winning on debut at Muswellbrook. Gets the rail and can build on that.

 

ENCYCLOPEDIA (5) got into the placings at Albury and the 2kg claim is handy. Not out of it reaching peak fitness.

 

BET: Impact Star sets a decent standard.

 

Race 2 (1080) Mdn SW

 

A number are capable of pushing forward and it should be a decent tempo.  

 

EVANORA (6) was quickly back to form when just beaten from the front in a strong form Maiden at the Sapphire Coast. That stacks right up and he will have come on. Is back home and the shorter sprint shouldn't bother.

 

STRIXEN (5) is Sydney-trained and three starts back led when beaten a half-length here on the grass. Resumes off a nice Hawkesbury trial win and looks set for a good campaign. He runs alsong and the rail advantages.

 

JETZ (8) is a former Tasmanian who had support on debut but dropped out badly after leading. Resumes for the local barn drawn well, and McDougall is a key jockey booking. Monitor the market very closely with him.

 

OLD MAN EMU (4) has been racing well without winning. Has had plenty of tries and a place may be his lot again.

 

BET: Going with Evanora.

 

Race 3 (1280m) BM65

 

Mad As Zariz may be the one to run them along at a good tempo.

 

SLY SONG (7) brings a decent level of form and gets weight relief following the placing at Parkes. Jeff Penza is reunited and the local should go close on the 5-day return.

 

ADVANCE PARTY (4) hasn't had much luck the last two starts in stronger city grade and the provincial form prior stacks up. Gets the leading hoop and is well up to this.

 

POLYXENA (6) resumes and has won 2/2 on the Acton. Gets in light with the 2kg claim and a bold return is likely.

 

SIZZLEONTHEBRIDGE (1) is racing well and missed a lip at Wagga coming back to the sprint. Finds easier grade and the 3kg claim takes care of the weight lift. Will race handy and deserves consideration.

 

MAD AS ZARIZ (2) comes to peak and also has claims.

 

BET: Leaning to Sly Song.

 

Race 4 (1280m) Mdn

 

Ronny Rock Art and She'll Be Apples may be the pair to run them along.

 

SHE'LL BE APPLES (8) showed plenty the first preparation and will be better for the first up run at Wagga. City-trained and can ride the speed from the rails barrier. Looks hard to beat.

 

RONNY ROCK ART (4) has been knocking on the door and placed his only run on the Acton. Likely to be suited back to a sprint with the blinkers going on again. Ward is a positive jockey choice.

 

GAMBLER'S QUEST (9) resumes and has been a bit disappointing. He's good enough and McDougall's booking suggests the leading local barn may have him tuned up this time around.

 

KHALEEJ (7) is a former Victorian back after 89 days for the Rolfe yard. He is up to this at best and the market will say if he's ready to go.

 

BET: Going with She'll Be Apples.

 

Race 5 (1080m) BM70 — Federal

 

Genuine tempo with the speedy Calescent likely to lead the way. A small field but a very competitive Federal.

 

WILFUL SOUL (8) resumes for the leading local barn with the top hoop booked. She sits at the bottom of the weights and performs fresh. Is back in grade off the latest and gets the nod in a good contest.

 

CALESCENT (1) is speedy and reaches peak fitness. Just missed the latest at Canterbury in much stronger and the 3kg claim helps with some of the big weight lift. A local with strong claims.

 

THE UNKNOWN FACTOR (2) deserved the win here on the grass and then a plainer effort at Albury on the heavy in Open company. Uses the rail and can bounce back at home with Heywood taking over from the apprentice.

 

DELIGHTFUL DREAM (6) seeks the hat-trick and keeps improving. This is a step-up but her figures read well. Note: Owen replaces McDougall.

 

BET: Leaning to Wilful Soul each way.

 

Race 6 (1900m) BM60

 

Chief Kidder to take up the running at a moderate tempo.

 

LARMOUR (2) improved sharply winning here on the grass before the nose defeat at Wagga in stronger than this. She keeps getting better and has placed her only start on the Acton. With Nick Olive and she is the one to beat.

 

CASINO TIME (8) has placed the last two at the mile and is ready to salute.  He's won this track and McDougall sticks. First time at 1900m but should see it out.

 

CHIEF KIDDER (3) was plain over further at Nowra but the lead-up form reads well. He will use the low gate and Penza is a key booking.

 

MOHAHNA (6) has been struggling to find his peaks but runs along and gets a handy 2kg claim. A stablemate to the top selection and the longer trip may be what he's looking for this time around.

 

BET: Backing Larmour.

 

Race 7 (1750 CL1 SW

 

Expecting Conference to lead Final Showdown setting just a moderate tempo.

 

BRENNAMAN (1) needs a good ride from an outside gate but gets the leading hoop and didn't have the best of it last start as an equal favourite. Presents for the top local barn on a 5-day return. The starting point on a tricky contest.

 

PRIDE OF KALARU (3) was beaten 2L in the same race. Tends to be a bit in-and-out but is a player in this line-up.

 

WHITE EMPEROR (5) made sharp improvement at Wagga and is a chance holding that level of form.

 

DETERGE (2) was well-beaten as equal favourite in the Brennaman race but had gone close the two runs prior and is in the mix.

 

TAN LINE (9) gets a 3kg claim and can build on the Maiden win and keep him onside.

 

BET: Leaning to Brennaman.

 

Race 8 (1260m) CL1

 

Off the low draw Gametime has enough speed to lead the way in the absence of a recognized leader.

 

CATANZARO (2) was quickly back to form for the new yard winning the Wagga Maiden comfortably. Had resumed prior off a 1136 day break and will certainly be fitter again. Has plenty up the sleeve and looks the one to beat despite the sticky gate.

 

JAC THE GREAT (3) resumes for a top local yard off the big Maiden win at the mile. Is sure to have come on and gets the handy 2kg claim. Gets a wide gate and that will require a decent ride.

 

BOHO CHICK (6) is an improving filly resuming for a local yard. She races handy and has shown enough to say she can be very competitive. McDougall's booking is a decent push for her chances. 

 

ROMAN CANDLE (11) has switched to Nick Olive from Paul Perry on a 31 days turn around. He'd be a serious player finding his best and keep a very close eye on the raceday betting.

 

BET: Backing Catanzaro.