Racing & Sports Canberra Racing Preview — Friday 5 February 2021

The track is currently rated a Soft 5. There is the possibility of some showers leading into race day. The rail is out 10m the entire. Good competitive fields as we head into the Canberra autumn features. Expect to see some promising 2yo gallopers to emerge out of Race 3.  

 

Race 1 (1200m) BM60

 

Hezredhot can set a moderate tempo. KATHAIRE (3) was just nudged out third-up at Cowra after settling back. Always needs a good ride, but she'll be fitter and the 2kg claim is handy. The starting point in a tricky race. HEZREDHOT (6) hasn't been far away here in stronger grade. Keeps Cahill and the chance to control the race. CALL ME ARTIE (2) won twice before being beaten a lip at Nowra. Has trialled since and is back to a sprint off a 61 day freshen. It's an ask but he brings the strong figures and will be coming hard. CYBORG (1) needed the run first-up and he's a capable galloper who can improve quickly. He will settle back but will be hitting the line. LARMOUR (4) resumes and no surprise if he presents in good order. Penza's booking interests and keep safe. BET: Leaning to Kathaire.  

 

Race 2 (2000m) CL1

 

A number race handy and expect a solid tempo over the middle distance. ANTILLES (1) runs along and was beaten 1L at the mile before the 1L defeat this trip at the hands of Lamington Road and that galloper has since won again. McDougall is reunited and reaching peak fitness the gelding can go one better. SPEEDZONE (6) is Sydney-trained and presents off an outstanding Maiden win at Kembla at 1500m. He'll be suited over the longer journey and is feared.  MISTY BROOK (8) keeps improving and he placed this grade and trip 13 days ago at Kembla. Draws to advantage and looks right in it. SEPORTO (5) comes out of the same race and is better than the formline suggests. He's in the mix. CLEM FANDANGO (3) next best with the visors going on. BET: Like Antilles.

 

Race 3 (1000m) OPEN 2

 

Of the raced Super Riff and Sniper Legend run along. A lot of unknowns and the late market will be instructive. VAAROOM (7) debuts for the leading Canberra barn with McDougall booked. He sticks from the sharp trial-win and the colt looks the part and is sure to race well with bigger things in mind. SUPER RIFF (1) won here this grade on debut from the front and has trialled sharply since. He's very promising and will take beating drawn to advantage. OBLIVION (4) debuts for Team Snowden off a big Wyong trial win. Draws wide but looks to have plenty of ability. The stable has a whopping 38% strike rate this track from 74 starters. RETRIEVAL (5) debuts for Godolphin and has been well-trialled in town. No surprise to see him right in the finish. BET: An interesting contest and the market will be instructive. Going with Vaaroom

 

Race 4 (1200m) MDN

 

Jack The Brumby can cross over and lead from Sifu and Jesta Diva. JACK THE BRUMBY (1) resumes and has just been nudged-out all four starts from the speed. He gets some gear changes and will come back further improved. He's trialled well and will make short work of the sticky gate. BOMBARDEO (3) resumes and just-missed here three-starts back on debut. He didn't have much luck in provincials after that and expect him to be ready and make the finish.  KIRKTON (6) was beaten a lip at Wagga rating well and then things didn't work out here after and forgive. Peaks now from a low gate and expect him to be very competitive.  PHEARSON (4) debuts for a sharp local yard and owns a nice trial. Gets a good gate and the betting moves will tell with him. DRAGONS BREATH (2) is also in the mix. BET: Going with Jack The Brumby.

 

Race 5 (1200m) CL1

 

Brothers Of Antrim, Mas Dinero and Josephus should all be prominent from the jump. MANILA THRILLER (5) was spelled immediately after the deserved Maiden win and resumes for the leading local yard. She has trialled well and McDougall's booking is a decent push. Draws low and expect her to be further improved and take beating. BROTHERS OF ANTRIM (2) had trialled well and win on debut. He will use the low gate and fitter looks a chance to make it a double. JOSEPHUS (1) resumes off a near- miss in stronger grade at Kembla. He may need one, but is good enough to require a betting watch with the handy 3kg claim. UNDERGROUND MUSIC (4) resumes off a big Goulburn trial and the Wagga Maiden win two starts back rates well. She's been away for a while but will push forward and is a contender if presented on-song. BET: Backing Manila Thriller to win.

 

Race 6 (1000m) BM65

 

Looks a strong tempo with Nobody's Puppet and Eltham Palace leading the charge. KEY LARGO (3) won the 64 comfortably third-up at Gosford as favourite and that reads well. Is back to a shorter sprint but doubt that will prove a bother. Tough to beat reaching full fitness. ELTHAM PALACE (2) is also back 200m, but impressed winning here two weeks ago from the front in better grade. She has the speed to manage the outside gate and can race boldly again. FOR LOVE (12) is Sydney-trained and will be better for the three runs back. High stable striker McDougall sticks from a much better run at Goulburn and expect her to be very competitive.  DELACOUR (1) made it four wins on-end first winning the Wagga CL3 first-up and then just a run at Randwick in much stronger than this. Fitter now and she's worth a look with the handy 3kg claim. BET: Key Largo makes most appeal.

 

Race 7 (1400m) BM70 Federal

 

Mandalong Nicko may be the one to Run the Federal field along. WAR DECK (6) won the CL2 and then missed a nose here in the 60 heavily-bet again. This is a step-up, but she rates strongly and gets the big weight drop. Winning rider McDougall is reunited and back 200m the gelding looks the one to beat. CAN DO IT (7) won the Maiden at Wyong at the mile by 4L and then was on-speed again 62 days ago at Rosehill beaten 2L over a but further. He's been gelded since and trialled well  and is a serious player if presented ready. CHAMPAGNE VEGA (3) is ex QLD and was too good first up for the new yard at 65 level. He'd trialled-well and has more up the sleeve. Fitter he'll be right in it with a good ride from the sticky gate. MANDALONG NICKO (8) has been close-up all four runs this campaign and can't be ruled out following the near miss in the 66 14 days ago. BET: War Deck gets the nod.

 

Race 8 (1400m) MDN

 

The large field should run along but there's no obvious leader. PORT DOUGLAS (4) resumed for the new yard (Dale) as a gelding and was just topped-off by Jobkeeper when expected to need the run. He had been away 333 days and will present fitter. Draws low today and will be hard to beat. LIBRARIAN (2) will race over further but brings good figures and has trialled well. Needs a good ride but is a player if presented on-song this time around. IMPORTANT PRODUCT (5) showed better form at Wagga and will have come on. His best would give him a chance. NOTHINSWEETABOUTME (12) debuts for a leading Sydney yard. She's been well-trialled and may have the speed to manage the outside gate. Elevate if the betting moves her way. BET: Backing Port Douglas to win.