Racing & Sports Canberra Racing Review - 1 September 2023
Race 1 (1900m) CL1
POKER DICE $2.20 and ALL ABOUT OLLIE $2.15F were clearly the best backed with the former prevailing easily by 2.5L from ALL SO EASY $8.50. All About Ollie was a clear third beaten 4.5L.
Poker Dice lobbed along about 5L from the lead and began a forward move before the 600m. He turned 4-wide in striking range. Made the lead at the 100m and came right away in the closing stages.
All So Easy led out of the first turn and had a comfortable run before some pressure was applied from the 600m. He railed and fought hard, clearly holding All About Ollie.
All About Ollie had the perfect run behind the leading pair but was done shortly after the 200m. Disappointing.
PENSO $8.50 was beaten 61L and the stewards inquired. The trainer was at a loss to explain the performance and the gelding will have to trial satisfactorily before being permitted to race again.
Poker Dice powered away in the end and there’s more to come from him.
Race 2 (1080m) BM45
The Benchmark 45 was taken out by the favourite HOT SUNDAE $2.90. DANISH HUSSAT $17 was just 0.77L away in second, well clear of HEY DUGEE $9, with a further gap to NEWTOWN IS COMING $15.
It was busy early and Hot Sunday sat just behind the leading trio. They bunched prior to turning and there were plenty of chances heading for home. Hot Sunday was held up on turning and initially in the stretch but showed a good turn of foot from the 150m to hold off the fast-finishing Danish Hussar.
Danish Hussar sat rearward but had improved his position before the 400m and turned the widest. He’s a bold strider and got busy late to prove the only threat. A good effort.
Hey Dugee sat off midfield and railed up to be in striking distance before the turn. He was held up at that point and for some distance near the 200m.
Hamish The Swift was caught 3-wide on the speed and prepared to forgive his effort.
Game Cove led until after the 150m but hung out the final 50m obliging its rider to stop riding in an attempt to correct the gelding.
It looked Hot Sunday’s race on paper, and it was run to suit.
Race 3 (1280m) MDN
It was a relatively open betting affair with the Goulburn-trained WOODZY $11 defeating SHERMAN $4.80 by 1.5L. The Vella-trained pair SEEYA LATER GATER $4.80 and PROPHET TIME $4.40F next home beaten 1.9L and 2.9L respectively.
It was bunched early up front and before the 800m Woodzy improved after an awkward start to sit outside the longshot leader. This pair cut at each other after and Woodzy headed for the judge in front. He was entitled to fold up, but he held a clear lead at the 100m to win fair and square.
Sherman sat midfield and got a nice split on the turn. He didn’t give up but lacked a finishing punch.
Seeya Later Gator was off midfield early and stayed on the rail. He burst through but couldn’t make sufficient ground.
Woodzy was third-up and the lightly raced gelding can go on from this.
Race 4 (1080m) MDN SW
WAL'S ANGELS started a clear $2.20F but could only manage fifth beaten more than 4L.
The former Victorian CHAMPAGNE IN LACE $14 was much too good winning by 3L. She was having her first run for local trainer Matt Kelley, and he’s quickly got her back to her best. COMB OVER CON $4.40 held second, just in front of KEYNES TIME $13 and DAICOS $7.
Champagne In Lace jumped in front and wad was soon joined by Daicos. Champagne On Ice is a nice mover and broke way at the top of the straight and never looked like being beaten.
Wal’s Angles sat midfield one out and looked to have every chance. He must be pleasing and will be better with that run under the belt.
Champagne In Lace will win in better assessed on this effort.
Race 5 (1280m) BM55
CALMER KARMA $2.15F was clearly the best backed found TITAL STAR $10 ,1L too good. OWL WITNESS $15 found third beaten 2L with a further 1.5L back to MADISON POINT $51.
Calmer Karma jumped a clear leader, and he was joined after the 800m by Titan Star who’d been caught wide. Calmer Karma put the foot down again and headed for home 2L in front. Titan Star kept at it and pounced at the 50m point.
Calmer Kama was asked to do plenty up front under a big weight and was brave in defeat.
Owl Witness began awkwardly and was a mile away on turning. He came hard beaten the 2L and that eye-catcher puts him in the blackbook.
KNUCKLE WARRIOR $11 was under pressure from the 600m and was tailed off. He was found to be lame in its off hind leg.
Titan Star has now won 2/3 on the Acton poly and it was a tough effort.
Race 6 (1900m) BM70
SHAFTY was backed in to start a $2.70 favourite and got the job done by 0.7L from CALL ME ARTIE $13 with BRINGBACKTHE BEARS $4.80 next home beaten 3.3L.
SHE’S ALL IN and BLAZING BULLET $16 were both keen early and paired off in front. Shafty settled one-out just behind them, with Call Me Artie on his inside. The latter took over at the 200m, but Shafty wouldn’t be denied finding a margin in the shadows of the post.
Bringbackthebears settled rearward from the wide barrier and made ground in third but was never a winning proposition.
DASHING ELGEE $6 sat three-wide throughout and was tightened at the 150m beaten 7L.
Shafty is now 2/2 this circuit and it’s proving the difference.
Race 7 (1206m) BM70
DEVINE MISS $6 recorded a deserved win, defeating SAIKO $5 by 2.3L with a gap to WELL IN SIGHT 3.9L from the winner. It was a busy post-race for the stewards.
Well In Sight found a quick lead and held it. Devine Miss settled rearward on the inside and passing the 300m was briefly crowded. She got a run through shortly after and looked the winner from that point, hitting the line full of running.
Saiko raced with a sit on the leading trio and was briefly held up on the turn. She tried hard but was no match for the winner.
Well In Sight just battled at the business end.
VERTATIONAL was the $3.50 favourite but suffered a bleeding attack.
HEART OF VANCOUVER $4.40 was hampered passing the 300m but regardless was disappointing and he pulled up with lameness in his near foreleg.
Devine Miss has now won 2/3 this track and will be better for the outing.