Racing & Sports Canberra Racing Preview – Friday 3 February 2023
Race 1 (1000m) Bm65
KIMBERLEY SECRETS (8) was heavily bet here first-up and was much too good from the front. The Nick Olive-trained filly is progressive and the rail advantages. Fitter she can take the next step. EL SALTO (1) is up from Victoria and creates plenty of interest first-up. He's been competing in much stronger city and provincial races and benefits from the small claim for a promising apprentice. He's won fresh and is certainly good enough. LILY ELSIE (6) improved again winning the 60 here and peaks. In good Sydney hands and won't have to be much improved to feature. AKAKA FALLS (4) resumes and has switched to the Widdup stable. He goes fresh and has shown enough in the country to suggest he'll be competitive. WILKSHIRE (7) has been narrowly beaten his last two in 58s and they read okay. Has weight relief and an advantageous gate and goes in at a price.
BET: The promising Kimberley Secrets is sure to take beating.
Race 2 (1400m) Mdn SW
CARING LASS (8) brought strong form to resumption at Canterbury and needed it. She followed with a 2L defeat at Newcastle and has more up the sleeve. Penza is a positive jockey booking and fitter the filly will be tough to roll. FREE CHOICE (5) debuts for a sharp Sydney barn and brings a Rosehill trial win. She will be well prepared, and the race-day betting will tell plenty. FIERCE LEGEND (3) was tried over longer at the back of the last preparation including in Group company. Resumes for the Sydney yard with the blinkers applied the first time and he's trialled well at Hawkesbury. Has the ability and expect him to be ready to go. ALIGN THE PLANETS (2) is also in good Sydney hands and will be better for the first-up outing. Hutchings comes to ride and that's a lead.
BET: Backing Caring Lass to win.
Race 3 (1200m) Mdn
This isn't strong and that leaves the door open for BULLEYES (2) who placed solidly here 23-days ago well-supported. Draws handy and Penza is a key jockey booking. Fitter and this is a winnable assignment. RAIDER EIGHTYEIGHT (1) resumes and showed enough the initial preparation to say he can threaten. Found one better on debut heavily bet and is likely to have come on. The low gate advantages. PROMETIO MAS (3) raced favourite here two-back but has been disappointing. Fourth-up now and is likely to show more for the leading local barn. MARTINIONTHESIDE (5) didn't have much luck on debut. Has the rail and blinkers on first time and may prove next best.
BET: With Bulleyes.
Race 4 (1200m) Bm60
Competitive. CHARLEMAGNE (4) resumed with a solid effort at Goulburn in better class. He has plenty up the sleeve and performs second-up. Has a small claim and fitter should go close. SAIKO (2) was heavily bet here two weeks ago and just came up short behind Lily Elsie who goes around earlier. Draws wide but Penza stays with her and with average luck she can threaten. PIECE OF TURF (8) spikes his figures again nudged out at Moruya and is an improving galloper seeking the hat-trick. Can't be ruled out. DEFCON ONE (1) and RUBIWISH (9) are also progressing well and deserve consideration.
BET: Leaning to Charlemagne.
Race 5 (1000m) Open 2
Tricky. CELUI (1) is up from Victoria and led and belted the Bendigo Maidens on debut. He's been freshened and in-form apprentice Jett Stanley stays with him. Sets a decent standard. GUN (6) and CARNABY (5) both debut for leading Sydney barns. They bring sharp trials and come out of low gates. The race-day betting will tell plenty with them. CHOP THE ICE (3) led and surprised beaten narrowly here on debut. He will be better for that and will give a sight. BACK PAGE (11) debuts for Godolphin with Penza booked. Has been well-trialled and must be kept safe.
BET: On what we've seen, Celui will take beating.
Race 6 (2000m) CL1 SW
JIMMY MANOLO (5) is busting to win. He placed at Gosford the latest after a tough run and the blinkers go on first time. Penza rides first time and can secure the run of the race. WHETU (3) improved beaten 1.6L here his latest. The former Kiwi peaks today and rates to go close. MELANIN (11) will be better for the two starts at the provincials and is looking for the middle distance. The Neasham stable is building a cracking record at this track and 32% stable striker Alysia Collet is booked. Sharp improvement is on the cards. RAPID IMPACT (7) was tracking well in better Maidens before the Bathurst flop. He should be around the mark. Melanin's stablemate PINKY (9) would be right in it but with no jockey declared treating her as a scratching.
BET: Going with Jimmy Manolo.
Race 7 (1400m) BM70 – Federal
INVERTATIONAL (6) seeks the hat-trick off easily heavily bet wins at Wagga. Spiked her figures again the latest and can be winning with average luck from an awkward barrier. TWIG (9) raced favourite in the corresponding race two weeks ago and disappointed as a 2-1 favourite. The jockey suggested he needs further ground and gets that today. In good hands and fitter a bounce won't surprise. I AM MAMWAAZEL (2) led and won that race and keeps holding the form. Has an extra 200m to run and a wide barrier and that makes it a bit tougher. EMOIN CHAUD (10) won the 66 at Wagga two-back and a return to that form would give him a chance. SPITFIRE (11) is Twig's stablemate with no jockey declared. Rates well with weight relief and keep very safe if he starts.
BET: Invertational is progressive and hard to go past.
Race 8 (1200m) Cl1
Open on paper. KWIK AZ HELL (8) deserved the Maiden win and then was on-speed here well-supported and lacked a finishing kick. Fitter now and drops back 200m and that's likely to advantage. The Sydney barn flies this track, and the filly gets the nod. ELLEVES (2) didn't have the best of it at Kembla Grange the latest, but the narrow defeat there prior reads well for this. Finally draws a low gate and looks a player. AMEN BROTHER (3) was heavily-bet winning the Wagga Maiden by a space. This is harder but he has upside and Penza would’ve had choices. BULLY FOR YOU (1) is Elleve's stablemate and wasn't far away at Kembla when resuming in stronger grade. He'd switched barns and with the extra fitness keep onside.
BET: Leaning to Kwik Az Hell.