Racing & Sports Canberra Racing Review - 23 June 2023

The new Acton Track featuring a Polytrack surface lived up to expectations providing an excellent racing surface. Plenty of winners came from behind and there wasn’t much clutter as runners straightened for home. The fields held up and it was a strong betting program. The local veteran Brendan Ward rode a double and training honours were evenly shared.

Race 1 (1900m) CL1

The big money came for SUGOI LEGEND $1.60F and it was a tough effort after being caught very wide at the first turn. He found a decent spot down the back and started a forward run at the 800m to turn 3-wide. He really stuck to his guns down the stretch and managed to fight off LYNBER $19 by 0.77L. The latter was given a soft run from an inside gate and darted through along the rail. GUARD $41 and ALBANIAN EAGLE$7 battled on into the minors. TALLINGAS PRINCE $3.50 sat rearwards and ran very wide on the turn. He was doing his best work late but looks a galloper better suited to the turf. The winner had to do it the hard was and had a class edge. A nice effort by Lynber up in distance off a Maiden win.

Race 2 (1080m) Mdn

It was $5.50 the field and it was LIGHT PRESS $10 who took it out easily on resumption for the new barn. They powered along early with a number keep on taking control. SHECANMIXIT $6 prevailed and looked the winner passing the 300m but Light Press was quickly on the scene and raced away in the closing stages to win by 2.3L. The filly has sat wide behind the pace and was the widest of the front division on turning. PROMETIO MAS $5.5F eased out of the early speed battle and railed. He gave everything in the run home and was just lipped out for second. The rest were gapped. It was an impressive by Light Press and she will run more races for the local barn. Shecanmixit had to absorb plenty of pressure up front and there was plenty of merit in her placing.

Race 3 (1750m) Bm 65

Another competitive betting affair with TURNAROUND TIME $5.50 delivering an easy win 2.3L win. He was dropping back 850m and not surprisingly was last on settling. DEPARTING BULLET $26 led and raced away down the back with the chasers off the bit a long way out. He still had a clear lead at the 200m, but the back markers were coming. Turnaround Time was giving the leader 7L on turning but finished powerfully and was running away on the line. REGION TIME $3.70F also finished strongly to pip Departing Bullet right on the post. The later played catch me if you can and it almost paid off. Turnaround Time was going to need the pace on, and it all fell into place.

Race 4 (1080m) Bm 60

LETHAL LADY 3.90F was heavily backed and just prevailed in a close go (0.26L) over another local ROMEO VELLA $21. There was a 2L gap then to HEART OF VANCOUVER $5.50 and HEAVENLY LIGHT $26. The winner got a lovely sit behind the leading trio. Heart Of Vancouver sat outside the leader and Romeo Vella positioned off midfield and started a big run prior to the turn.  There were 4-chances passing the 200m with Lethal Lady the one that proved too strong. Romeo Vella gave everything coming off a 20-week spell defying the odds. His was a tough effort. Heart Of Vancouver faded a touch late. EVANORA $4.20 was caught three-side on the speed. The winner was coming off a 14-week spell and had competed in better grade. Disappointed last preparation but looks back on track.   

Race 5 (1280m) Mdn

TAVOLO $1.45F was heavily backed against moderate opposition and was a comfortable winner. It was busy early and Tavolo positioned midfield on the rail. The second and third placegetters – SHERMAN $17 and RANGATIRA - settled behind her. On tuning Tavolo managed a clean run through and showed a great turn of speed to lead clearly at the 200m to comfortably hold off the placed pair who were both back and wide on the turn. They were both beaten less than 1.5L so there was merit in those efforts. The remainder were spaced. It could have been sticky for Tavolo on the turn but Budler more than managed. A nice horse. 

Race 6 (1280m) CL1

WAGUNDA $2.60F was backed-in but was beaten 7L in fifth. STAR FALL $4.80 prevailed comfortably (2.4L) from KNUCKLE WARRIOR $21 with CALMER KARMA $3.20 a clear third 4.85L from the winner. They were bunched on-speed early and STAR FALL was the one to spear way and lead. Knuckle Warrior settled with a perfect trail. Knuckle Warrior loomed to challenge passing the 300m, but after a tap with the stick Star Fall found a length and the drew away. Calmer Karma was in a bunch midfield, and he found inside splits in the straight to finish on. Wagunda was always well back and didn’t run on. Star Fall jumped from a wide gate and was up to this trip for the first time. We can stick with her.  

Race 7 (1206m) Bm 70 – TAB Federal

It was $4.80 the field and it was a drifting EMMA’S GIFT $9.50 taking out the honours for Canberra’s premier barn. There was only a breath it on the line from another local FRISSION $9.50. There were a bunch less than 2.5L away with ACCRUE $3.80F and DEVINE MISS $5.50 the best of them. Frisson held the lead at the 800m and Accrue had a soft run just being the speed. Emma’s Gift was back well off the rail at the 500m and straightened the widest runner. Frisson put a gap on them as they headed for home and looked an all over winner before Emma’s Gift put in the big ones nabbing him right on the line. Accrue gave his utmost to pip Devine Miss who didn’t have the best of it in the straight. LOUIE’S LEGACY $4.80 was doing his best work late in the race and is worth another chance. The winner was back from a 22-week spell and obviously enjoys the surface.

Race 8 (1206m) Bm 50

EPAULLO CREED $2.90 was a well-bet favourite but was tailed off beaten 12L. The race provided the upset of the day with DANISH HUSSAR $61-$41 just getting up over SPIRITED KING $7 and DASHING ELGEE $31. HAMISH THE SWIFT $14 was also close-up. There were four runners vying for the lead early. Hamish The Swift prevailed with the favourite Epaullo Creed on his outside. Danish Hussar enjoyed a nice run on the rail behind the pace. Spirited King was last on turning and had to come around heals at the 200m before getting a crack at them. Hamish The Swift railed like a greyhound and was 2L clear at that point. Danish Hussar kept coming and Spirited King and Dashing Elgee dead set flew down the outside. The relegated Hamish The Swift to into fourth in the shadows of the post. EPAULLO was gone at the turn.  The winner came off a 5-week freshen and turned the form around. The pressure early played into his hands.