Racing & Sports Canberra Racing Preview — 24 August 2021
The meeting has been switched to Queanbeyan following the abandoned meeting at Canberra on Friday. Plenty of accepters for that meeting line-up supplemented by NSW gallopers.
Rain is forecast late Monday and Tuesday, but as we stand, we have good competitive fields.
Race 1 (1460m) MDN
MORE EXCITEMENT (6) can win this at best and should be ready to fire third-up. In a sharp barn and gets the 2kg claim for a promising apprentice. DISCO QUEEN (4) missed 1L at Gundagai and then raced favourite after and disappointed. Like wet tracks and with rain forecast might get conditions to suit. EPIZEEL (2) has been threatening and comes back to a sprint. He will be strong to the line. THIRD EYE (8) is a stablemate to the top selection and didn't have much luck on debut. Keeps Ward and quick improvement is likely. BET: Going with More Excitement.
Race 2 (1600m) CL1
POETIC POWER (7) wins this at best and should be ready to fire rising to the mile. She's in good hands and will race handy. LA VALKYRIE (6) was just nudged out twice before delivering the Wagga Maiden win heavily-bet. Gets the 2kg claim for a form apprentice and can win again managing the low gate. JUST ROMAN CANDLE (3) has been knocking on the door for Olive barn and improved again, beating a whisker at Narrandera. That stacks up. Not sure the rail advantages but Ward goes on and that's a plus. ICONICALLY (5) was plain at Wagga but the Maiden win prior was big. Worth another chance. BET: With Poetic Power.
Race 3 (1000m) MDN
STRATUM PRIDE (3) is another decent winning chance for the Dryden yard. Made sharp improvement beaten a lip on the Canberra synthetic second up. She finished determinedly and had 'next time' written over her. Fitter can go one better. LOOSE LOVE (2) raced favourite resuming in that contest and didn't have much luck. He keeps the 2kg claim and fitter can make sharp improvement. A danger. ACCRUE (4) has witched yards and resumes for the local barn. Draws out but has shown enough to be competitive. ANTONIO (2) resumes with Cahill booked and owns a sharp Goulburn trial. Keeps Cahill and has the speed to clear the sticky gate. BET: Backing Stratum Pride.
Race 4 (2000m) BM65
INVINCIBLE DASH (1) had every chance just beaten on the Canberra synthetic here the latest and will be better for it. In a sharp yard and can take this out reaching peak fitness. ZOUNIQUE (2) is an improver and did a big job from the tail when just nudged out at Goulburn. Peaks with the winkers on first time and will go close with Cahill sticking. SAME OLD SCENE (4) won at Nowra and then was close-up Moruya after. Gets some weight relief and can make the finish. HELLO CHINA (3) has been mixing trips. Rates well off the latest placing at 1800m and the canny local barn will have him on-song. BET: Going with Invincible Dash.
Race 5 (1200m) MDN
PANDERING (8) was beaten 1L resuming on the Canberra synthetic heavily-bet. Has much better figures on the grass and gets the 2kg claim for a form apprentice. Fitter and clearly rates to be winning for the premier Canberra barn. SUNSOUTGUNSOUT (3) is a former Tasmanian resuming for the Kirkup yard and would be a good chance if presented on song. Comes off a Listed run over a trip but has placed this distance. TIA KARETE (9) is also Canberra-trained and will be better for the two runs back. Gets Cahill first time and that's a lead. HERE COMES KERMIT (4) is a local presenting second-up with Ward riding from a low barrier. Could be the smokey. BET: Pandering looks one of the better wagers.
Race 6 (1200m) CL1
MISS MANZANILLA (5) made sharp improvement winning the Maiden on the Canberra synthetic third-up as favourite. She raced handy and impressed. The in-form 2kg claimer can manage the sticky gate and fitter the filly can take the next step. KHALEEJ (1) had no luck behind Smugglers Run on the Canberra Acton and was doing his best work late. Always needs a good ride but is a player. LENNY'S LAD (3) was on-speed and won the Maiden on the same day over a shorter sprint. Gets a 2g claim today and will get every chance to run the trip right out. LITTLE HELA (2) gets an outside gate but was tracking well before that latest and can't be ruled out. BET: Backing Miss Manzanilla to win.
Race 7 (1200m) BM75 Federal
ISLAND BAY BOY (6) didn't have the best of it resuming in stronger at Kembla Grange and it was a good springboard for this. He has plenty up the sleeve and can take this out using the low barrier. EXOTIC DEEL (5) resumes for a top Canberra barn and has won 2/3 fresh. Was last seen in town and gets the run of the race from the handy gate. She's feared. EUROSAY (8) has won 2/3 this preparation and missed a lip the other. Gets the 2kg claim and the rail and is a decent chance to repeat. DELACOUR (2) races handy and did a big job winning this grade on the Canberra synthetic. Fitter now and is also a hope. BET: With Island Bay Boy.
Race 8 (1000m) BM60
Tricky. CRUCIAL WITNESS (6) resumes, and the speedy galloper draws low. Lightly-raced and is showing good promise. Expect her to be on-song and go close. HEZREDHOT (2) resumes and has the tow to manage the wide gate. He rates well and has won fresh. Cahill sticking is a plus and expect a bold return. STARLIV (5) resumes and has switched from the Matt Dale yard. Goes fresh and has shown enough to keep safe. UNDERTHESPOTLIGHT (9) wasn't far away at Forbes and gets in well with the 2kg claim for a form apprentice. He will push forward and won't be far away. BET: Leaning to Crucial Witness.