Canberra Racing Preview Friday 20 September

The rail position is out 3m the entire and the track will be in the slow range with overcast but fine weather forecast with a top 23 degrees on race day.

 

Strong, competitive fields are the order of the day and plenty of value in most races for those finding the winners.

 

Race 1 (1400m)

 

Apicius the likely leader. BRENNAMAN (5) peaks now and has been having no luck. He’s had strong market support and the winkers are applied first time. One more chance. GIRLS ARE READY (1) will be looking to use the rail and is ready to win third up following a good effort at Rosehill in stronger. Gets the blinkers first time and will be tough to beat with a good ride from the 4kg claimer. NAVY CROSS (4) and APICIUS (7) both resume for Waterhouse-Bott. The former brings three solid city trials and has been gelded. The latter has had a couple of trials and will run along. The market will tell with them. ZELAGO gets the rail and Cahill and should be ready to fire. BET: Sticking with Brennaman.

 

Race 2 (1000m)

 

Mahjong Rose and Stand You Ground can run them along. SWAN ISLAND (4) presents third up and has switched from Team Hayes to Matt Dale. Has had good backing since resumption on synthetic surfaces and is up to this. Expect her to be ready to go. DESTINATO (3) resumes off two Randwick trials for Team Snowden. The yard are high strikers at this venue and a bold return is on the cards. STAND YOUR GROUND (10) is better then the form line reads and she should be ready to show her best. The low gate advantages. DALMATINKA (1) debuts and has trialled well. Watch the market with her. BET: With Swan Island if the market reflects stable confidence.

 

Race 3 (1000m)

 

Five or six will run along and are capable of leading. A tricky contest on paper. MONTE MAJURA (4) resumes off an easy win in CL1 grade and is an on-pacer drawn to advantage. He’s very tough and will be better for the recent trial. Expect him to be ready and take beating. POLAR STAR (2) came back from the city and won comfortably and then ran along at Goulburn and was okay in better grade than this. Gets the advantage of the rail and the an improving 4kg claimer and expect him to go close on the 7-day return. BALONNE (6) resumes in easier and is capable at best. Gets some gear tweaks and a forward run won’t surprise. ENJOY THE STARS (9) and ONSETTLING DOWN (10) both resume and would be a chance at best. They must be kept safe. BET: With Monte Majura if the money comes.

 

Race 4 (1400m)

 

Miss Anabanana can cross over and lead from Moss The Boss and Hercegovka. An open race. WAIHEKE (1) is ex Waller and returned in good order for the Dryden yard when beaten a lip here behind Arithmetic. He gets the 2kg claim and won’t have to improve much to be tough to beat. AWAY SHE GOES (6) has won two of the last three and did it by 4.5L the latest in the Gundagai CL2. Keeps McDougal and will go very close. HEAVEN ON EARTH (4) raced handy and won very well in this grade here two weeks ago. Peaks now for Dryden and is a genuine hope drawn handy. MISS ANABANANA (8) led and won the 58 at Queanbeyan as favourite and gets the blinkers first time. In a top city yard and will take running down. BET: Leaning to Waiheke.

 

Race 5 (1300m)

 

The Stamp and Lots Of Dosh can run them along from Mr Costigan and Litchfield crossing over. A tricky Maiden. BULLET RAIDERS (6) has had two runs this preparation for Team Snowden racing in stronger provincial Maidens. He comes to a much more suitable trip and will race handier. Gets the winkers first time and should prove hard to beat. TIME STAMP (2) debuts for Warehouse-Bott and has been well-trialled. He is sure to use the low gate and the market will be a good indicator of his readiness. MR COSTIGAN (13) gets Cahill today and is better then the formline suggest. He can bob up without surprising. TACTICAL PLOY (1) debuts with the blinkers applied. Saved for this and is likely to be better than the trial suggests and could prove a smokey. SELECTION: Backing Bullet Raiders.

 

Race 6 (1200m)

 

A number capable of leading with early pace across the barriers. HEAD SPINS (1) debuted off a trial win and won the Maiden in dominant fashion at Beaumont as the market expected. That stacks right up and he will take beating with McDougal riding from the rail. MADAM OAKS (3) led and was much too good for the Maidens here two weeks ago. She should have no trouble again clearing the wide gate and repeat win wouldn’t surprise. FLIGHT COMMANDER (2) deserved the Maiden win on the synthetic and then didn’t have the best of it when not beaten far at Wagga. He draws handy and expect the longer trip to suit him. TOCATCHACOD (6) has won and placed the last two and he’s well in the mix. SELECTION: Backing Head Spin who has good upside.

 

Race 7 (2000m)

 

Dragon’s Shadow may be the one to lead, but not clear-cut. This is a very competitive BM 65 over the middle distance. HILLTOP HOOD (6) missed a lip resuming and then delivered the 58 at Nowra as favourite. He’s placed 2/3 this trip and is ready for it. Draws low and a wet track won’t bother. SWEET KNUCKLE (10) was much too good winning here this grade two weeks ago sprinting hard after getting clear. The 2000m looks well within reach. Stablemate CONFIDENTIAL (8) did everything but beat the flying O’Princess this trip at Moruya as favourite. He deserves the win and gets another chance. DRAGON'S SHADOW (9) didn’t miss the hat-trick by far at Queanbeyan and he’s an on-pacer whose figures stack up. SELECTION: Like Hilltop Hood. 

 

Race 8 (1200m) FEDERAL

 

Acton Shale, Revitup Rednut and Boys Day Out may run them along. SAUSEDGE (10) resumed off Stakes grade and didn’t do a bad job at Warwick Farm after a slow off. She is sharp second-up and is a course and distance winner. She wins this at best and can find it with a good ride from Lever from the tricky gate. ACTON SHALE (9) impressed winning the Maiden easily first up on the synthetic and then was just alright the same track after as favourite. He’s placed 2/2 at the 1200m and is an on-pacer ready for the step-up. REVITUP REDNUT (14) has just missed the last three and he didn’t have the best of it the latest at Randwick. She draws to advantage and looks suited. POLYXENA (8) has won and just missed the last two and Cahill replaces the 4kg apprentice from those. He will push forward and also rates a winning hope. SELECTION: Keen on Sausedge.  

 

Race 9 (1600m)

 

Trapper Tom and Miss Anabanana can lead from Secretary General crossing over. Another very competitive race. MAJELLA (4) just missed twice before delivering the convincing Maiden win at Newcastle. That reads very well for this and he can repeat drawn to advantage. WHO'S SHOUT (2) peaks off three placings, including in town. He got very close the latest and is a leading hope with the blinkers off on a 7-day return. MISS ANABANANA (5) led and won as expected at Queanbeyan and draws to advantage with the blinkers applied first time. She may control this and just has to run it right out be make the finish. IT'S CHRISTMAS (14) peaks and has been threatening the win in Victoria. Needs a good ride but gets the blinkers first time and has to be considered with Cahill booked. SELECTION: Majella can take the next step.