Balonne Looking for Back-to-Back TAB Federals

Canberra’s reigning Horse of the Year Balonne returned to form at Thoroughbred Park when he beat stablemate Scarleo in the TAB Federal on Sunday 15 November. The Keith Dryden-trained Balonne took his career earnings to over $160,000 when coming from near last to run over the top of them. He will once again line up in the TAB Federal, this time over the 1400m on Friday 27 November.

Dryden looks to hold a strong hand in Friday’s TAB Federal with Balonne and Scarleo representing strong chances. Dryden believes both will be ultra-competitive.

“I think they’ve both drawn really well” Dryden said. “Scarleo with Barrier 6 and Balonne with the outside which is perfect for him, he’ll go back and hopefully there’s a hot speed.”

“Of course I’d love to see them run the quinella again but it’s a very competitive race.”

Matthew Dale brings in a very intriguing runner in Antilles (USA) who just two starts ago was placed in a Group 3 race in Ireland. Having just his second Australian start, the 5-year-old gelding by War Front (USA) will carry young apprentice Jess Del Frari who will utilise a 4kg claim.

Lolita Gold has had a luckless start to her preparation with two strong placings from her first two runs. A win in the TAB Federal would add to the hot streak of Neil Osborne who has had four wins from his past eight runners.

Greg Stephen’s Peyton Place was the winner of the last Open 1400m race at Thoroughbred Park – the TAB Tony Campbell Memorial Cup while Garry Kirkup’s Demonstrate won two Open races in Canberra in October.

The TAB Federal is Race 7 on Friday’s program and is due to jump at 4:44pm.