Racing & Sports Canberra Review - 8 April 2022

The rail was in the true position and was rated a Soft 7. On-speed advantaged. The fields held up well. Favourite backers would have had a fill-up with Milamoo’s win in the Federal the only upset on the day. Jeff Penza and Brody Loy both rode doubles and headed out the honours board.

Race 1 (1000m) Bm 65

DISTILLATE $2.35 looked the one and absolutely belted his rivals. She flew the gates and simply ran them off their feet. Was only beaten 2L in a Federal prior and was well-placed with the 3kg claim. She’s in a top barn and will win more races. CRUCIAL WITNESS was bet $11 to $5.50 and chased hard 4L away. Ditto EMMA’s GIFT $3.90. The rest were beaten off.  

Race 2 (1200m) CL2

The two best supported fought it out. EASY ROSIE $3 got up by a half-length from DEVINE MISS $2.30, with SHADDY $14 close-up next. The rest were spaced.  Rosie found an easy lead from the rail and Devine Miss sat outside her.  That’s how they finished with Shaddy — who had sat behind the speed — finishing it off well, closing the gap noticeably. The market almost got it right. All three will be better for the outing.  BEAU ROCK $5 was forward but raced three-wide throughout.

Race 3 (1000m) Mdn

They only wanted the fillies ESSONNE a $2.45 drifter and ICE ON FIRE $3 -$2.35F and they finished in that order with 0.69L between them. SIDONI $12 was 2L away in third. Ice On Fire lead from the low gate and Essonne missed the jump but sped forward on the paint and was positioned behind the leader at the 700m.  Penza went full bore on Ice On Fire at the turn and Essonne had all sorts of trouble getting clear inside Sidone and there were numerous heavy bumps before the winner got clear air and came hard to get up, full of running. She would have been a certainty beaten and couldn’t have been more impressive on debut. ICE ON FIRE was brave and has a future. Sidoni ran around and will have taken learning. ANOTHER STAR $20 was first up for the new barn wad was doing his best work late. Worth noting.

Race 4 (1400m) Bm 60

WE ALL AGREE ran the #3.60 favourite but disappointed after enjoying a comfortable lead.  SHERWOOD'S ONE $5.50 was a notable drifter but was far too good. He sat comfortably behind the leading pair and had the better of the leader soon after turning. He put a gap on them from LA VALKYRIE $8.50 - $7 chasing hard after settling back in the field beaten 2.27L. MERCURY $5.50 wasn’t far away in third after notably missing the start, and meeting some trouble on turning. The winner was too good. 

Race 5 (1200m) Bm 70 - Federal

PRETTY WOMAN was a well-bet $2.80 favourite but was very disappointed beaten 3L in fourth. The outsider in the field, Milamoo, took most by surprise winning at $19, but only just.  On resumption, she sat midfield on the rail traveling kindly. The gap finally opened in the straight and he held off FANGELA $3.50 who’d been held up badly behind the leader and MERC $6.50, outside him. Fangela was terribly unlucky and is a galloper to stay with. Pretty Woman got a comfortable lead but had no dash at the business end. HEZREDHOT $7 tried to buck soon after the start.   

Race 6 (1600m) CL1

COLOUR SERGEANT was a clear $2 favourite and got up by a lip from SNEAKY ISLAND $9 clear of the rest. The former Irish galloper settled in a bunch midfield with Sneaky securing a nice trail behind the lead. Colour Sergeant turned behind a wall of gallopers, but it opened, and he began a determined finish outside Sneaky and it was neck in neck with the winner just prevailing. TAN LINE ($17) finished third beaten 1.89L. She was very wide in the middle-stages and pressed forward to lead passing the 600m.  She was only gobbled up in the shadows of the post. A tough effort. The first two home can certainly be followed, and the winner is sure to appreciate further.

Race 7 (1300m) CL1

OTTILIE drifted to start a $2.70F and the money came for CALMER KARMA $5-$3.90. They finished in that order with Ottilie taking it out comfortably. The filly had to do plenty of work crossing over from the wide gate and finally found the front passing the 1000m. She travelled kindly and kicked in the stretch and did it easily by 1.84L. She had plenty on them. Calmer Karma just got second after travelling fourth behind the leader and getting every chance. Third-placed SPATS PAV BOWIE sat of the leader’s flank and also got his chance.

Race 8 (1300m) Mdn

Another favourite saluted in the last of the day in the form of the former UK galloper GWAN SO $2.30. VAAROOM $7 was beaten less than 1L in second ridden forward in a change of tactics. They were 5L + ahead of the rest. Vaaroom had to do some work to find the lead from a wide gate. Gwan So was well-placed behind the on-pace trio. Vaaroom was clear down stretch, but the winner was coming and found the lead inside the 50m. A nice effort as was that of the runner-up who adapted positively to the on-speed role and was brave given he worked early. SPELIZ $11 was a clear third but didn’t get near the pair ahead. POSEIDON JEWEL $4.20 over-raced in the middle stages well-beat. The first two home will go on.