Racing & Sports Canberra Review - 11 December 2022

They kicked off on a Good 4 track, and this was upgraded to a Good 3, following Race 2. With the rail out on-speed runners were advantaged with a number of leaders winning. Joe Ible took out the trainer honours with a double. Alysha Collett rode a double as did apprentice Molly Bourke.

Race 1 (1200) CL1

There was plenty of money to suggest FLOWER PRESS (3) $2.90F could knock off the other two fancied runners and she won well. She presented off sharp trials and sat of the leader ENZINA $3.70 and these two turned together and were involved in a keen battle until Flower Press drew away in the last 100m winning by 1.4L. Enzina gave her all. Although well-beaten, there was merit in the run of the third-placed SPATS PAV BOWIE $6 who raced ungenerously with his head up in the early stages. The disappointment was NEGATION $3.10 who settled back after a slow beginning. She didn’t have much luck from the 600m until well into the straight. Flower Press has been improved by the new barn (Joe Ible) and the form should hold up from this contest.

Race 2 (1300m) BM60

There were a couple of key scratchings and that left the Ible-trained MIL CIENTO $2.25 as a clear favourite. She had to be content with second, beaten 1.8L behind APPETITE FOR RISK $13 - $9.50. DIAMOND CLASS $11 made good improvement freshened, to hold third beaten 2L. Appetite For Risk led with no pressure and kicked away on turning. Mil Ciento had sweet rails run behind the speed but was being pushed along before the home turn. She kept building but lacked the finishing dash required to catch the winner.  Diamond also finished on, but the bird had well and truly flown. HOW DO YOU SLEEP $4.60 began awkwardly and didn’t get into it. GRAVY TRAIN MAGPIE $6.50 raced three-wide throughout. The winner delivered three-back at Goulburn and was quickly back on track. She’ll win again in suitable grade. Mil Ciento gave the impression he’d appreciate longer, and Diamond Class certainly will.

Race 3 (1400m) CL2 SW

There were a couple of notable scratchings, and it was an even betting affair. There were plenty of mentions ion the stewards’ post-race report. The winner I AM MAMWAAZEL $7.50 - $12 got under the guard of punters despite the placing here prior. The well-bred gelding held 1.57L on the line ahead of YOU ARE KING $12 with HARDER THAN THE REST $4.60 a further half-length away in third, after beginning awkwardly. The winner was hustled along to lead with You Are King sitting on his flank. That’s the way they turned for home and it was clear from the 300m that I Am Mamwaazel was going to be hard to peg back. You Are King battled tenaciously to just hold out Harder Than The Rest, with BUDDEROO BLITZ $7.50 finishing on into fourth, beaten 3.2L. He was slow to begin and was held on heels near the 500m. The firming $3.80 favourite FLYING TYROL had a cosy run but did not quicken in the straight. No abnormalities were found. As in the previous two races, the winner was advantaged being on-speed but it was a strong effort all the same.

Race 4 (1200m) Maiden

Plenty of scratchings and the two best supported runners had to be content with placings behind debutant HURRICANE ABLOWING $7. Beat VELLA MAGIC $3.70 by a half length with PROMETIO MAS $3.40F more than 4L from the winner in third. It was busy early with a number keen to find the lead. On settling Prometio Mas and JEWEL APPROACH $7 cut at each other in front with Vella Magic enjoying a cosy trail.  The winner railed behind the peloton and was travelling well. Jewel Approach had put up the while flag before the turn and Prometio Mas turned in front immediately pressured by Vella Magic. Hurricane Ablowing kept railing and finished strongly when in the clear. Vella Magic had every chance and Prometio Mas not surprisingly hit the wall late.

Race 5 (2000m) CL1 SW

The market said it was a three-horse race and the formed the trifecta. Having said that SHAFTY $4 was much too good building on the dominant Maiden win. They ran along okay and the better back markers started to get busy after the 600m. They spread out in the straight with the favourite ALL ABOUT OLLIE $2.2 first to emerge passing the 200m. He briefly looked the winner before being swamped by Shafty, who flew home down the middle winning going way by 2L. All About Ollie had the run of the race and fought hard and third-placed GENJIRO $6 finished it off well. GUARD $21 was doing his best work late in fourth after being held up in the straight. Shaft impressed and the win had extra merit given he wanted to lay-in most of the straight. 

Race 6 (1600m) Bm65

GLOWING GOLD drifted out to $5.50 but got the chocolates given the run of the race. She got the better of the well-bet TRUST THE PROCESS $3.20F by 1L with LUMBER DREAM 2.76L from the winner in third. A solid gallop unfolded with the two leaders pressuring each other. Glowing Gold got the perfect sit behind. She took over at the 200m with the favourite the immediate threat. He’d raced three-wide all the way and that and the big weight told late. LUMBER DREAM $6 finished well in third to just pip DIP ME LID $9.50. The latter sat outside the leader in a chance of tactics and it was a good effort to stick on as well as he did. SWEET HONESTY $5.50 was disappointing, and the stewards inquired. She had to race wide in the early and middle stages, but the rider felt she was still disappointing in the straight and may have come to the end of the preparation. The trainer advised said she would be spelled.   

Race 7 (1000m) BM70 - Federal

EMMA'S GIFT was a firming $3.80 favourite and got-up in a blanket finish over DELIGHTFUL DREAM $10 and SMOKESHOW $12. SAIKO $5.50 was well-backed and was only 1L from the winner in fourth. The leading pair ran along, and the field bunched and spread wide on turning. Emma’s Gift had railed behind the speed and got a nice run through and hit the front at the 100m. She lifted to beat the fast-finishing Delightful Dream with Smokeshow zooming down the outside in third. Saiko stayed inside and was also doing his best work late. He didn’t have much go his way for the new barn and goes in the black book along with Smokeshow.  

Race 8 (1400m) Mdn SW

It was a complete blow-out in the last with THE CARPET BAGGER $31 just nudging-out MR PAPERA $11 and MISS ADRENALIN $10, with the favourite XTRAREVZ $2.80, 1.3L from the winner in fourth. Three vied for the early lead with The Carpet Bagger finally finding the front. Miss Adrenalin had the perfect sit behind the lead. This pair were fighting it out at the 200m with Mr Papera coming hard. The winner just found enough. Xtrarevz and KINGSTON CHARM $4.80 were both doing their best work late. The Carpet Bagger was an emergency and had switched from the Sargent to the Ible barn on a 4-week freshen. Mr Papera raced three-wide throughout adding merit to his effort.