3 minute read

Supersized nominations and the fields have remained largely intact after scratchings. This reflects trainer confidence in the Canberra Acton surface, which has been giving every horse a chance.

Race 1 

SHE'SADARE (2) was ridden more forward and improved, winning easily here at this level over a shorter sprint. The extra metres won't be an issue, and a 3kg claimer goes aboard to offset the weight rise. DON'T TELL JACK (4) led beaten 2L on the same day in a CL1. He will skip over to the speed, and a senior hoop goes aboard. SANTORINI SUN (1) has been freshened since her 1.6L defeat here on the course proper. Her near miss three back in a Goulburn 58 reads well. Gives away starts but will hit the line. BEAU ROCK (3) had no luck here last time up in class but led and won comfortably prior on the grass track. He can position himself more forward and is in the mix. GRAVY TRAIN MAGPIE (9) resumes and has switched to the in-form Pepper yard. Has a 2kg claim and may be more forward this time around. Draws awkwardly but needs considering.

Race 2

OUR RED PLANET (2) was only beaten 2.6L in a CL3 at Goulburn 7 days ago. Bronett Prag's claim offsets some of the extra weight, and the longer sprint should suit. He gets his chance in this lineup.  MERCHANT REIGN (4) went close here on the grass and then tackled a 58 at the Sapphire Coast and just missed a place. He also has more weight, but the grade suits. JACOB JOE (3) settled well back and belted home here beaten 1.6L over 1080m. Has a handy 2kg claim and may settle a bit closer today. Has to be considered. DODGE THE DARK (5) drops back to a shorter spring briefly freshened. Keeps Krogh, and he has more to give.

Race 3

FLASHY ICON (1) spiked his figures, placing second here over 1750m, and it was a big effort from a wide barrier. He draws well today and just has to hold the form to take beating. LUCKY STAR (6) was never in the hunt in the tricky Queanbeyan track, but his form prior reads well for this contest. He has been kept on the fresh side and will push forward. Can win putting his best foot forward.  I AM A ROCKSTAR (9) stepped up to a mile at the Sapphire Coast and disappointed without the best of luck. He'd been tracking well prior, and is likely to sit closer today. He's worth another chance. SPRITZY LASS (8) has the ability and will enjoy a firmer surface. Needs a good ride, but JVO is reunited.

Race 4

HEIR JORDAN (3) peaks, and he's been racing in better company in town. He gives away starts, but expect him to improve sharply on a firm surface and at this level. The extra metres suit. ANA CAROLINA (5) led and won a CL1 easily here two weeks ago. She keeps improving, and Penza stays aboard. She is free running and will take pegging back. A threat. REGION TIME (10) was narrowly beaten here twice on the course proper, and those efforts stack right up. She maps for a soft run and has been kept on the fresh side. STRAIGHT FIRE (8) went close here on the grass first up, and has raced in better provincial and metro company since.  JVO replaced the apprentice and this surface should suit. She's right up to this at best.

Race 5

SOUK (7) switched from a top Victorian stable and was beaten 1L here first up from the front. He's placed 5/7 and has the early speed to manage the wide gate. Strips fitter, and is sure to be tough to beat. ROUGE HOMME (5) resumed at Goulburn and looked a run short. He trialled well prior and just missed at Nowra, his only second-up outing. Quick improvement is anticipated. MISS INDI (8) is speedy and can show more third up. Keeps the small claim and draws inside. YINDYAMARRA (10) debuts and has won a trial here. Has ability, and the late betting will be key.

Race 6

Three starts back, INDIE MAE (8) wasn't beaten that far at Randwick-Kensington on debut. She resumed at the provincials and needed the outing. She's trialled sharply at Warwick Farm since, and the Pride barn is enjoying plenty of success targeting this venue. Has a handy gate and Penza rides. Maher-trained QUILL AMBITION (9) led and improved at Kembla Grange and will be better for it. She led in that and is likely to apply similar tactics today. Missed 1L here over a shorter sprint, turning the form around. He's a decent hope, building on that. CIFONELLI (2) jumps from the outside barrier, but he's a likely improver in good hands.

Race 7

MOGO MAGIC (1) has been racing in better company and found more like his best beaten 2.8L at Gosford a month ago. The longer sprint should suit, and the 4kg claim brings him right into it. PROPHET'S PRIDE (4) resumed with a 1L defeat here this grade, when expected to win. Strips fitter and the longer sprint suits. Proven second up and will likely position forward. KEIKOKU (8) was quickly back on track narrowly beaten in a Parkes Open. He gives away stars but charges home, and carries just 53kg again with the claim. The Pepper yard is flying. CRAVING MAGIC (3) is busting to win and also has decent claims. He's been freshened, and JVO will give him every chance from an inside barrier.

Race 8

An emergency IRISH JIG (15) gets a run and will be tough to beat. Raced favourite here two weeks ago and took out a Maiden in good style. He maps for a soft on-pace run and tumbles in weight. Peaks, and just needs to hold the form. CHRISTMAS STAR (6) won a CL1 comfortably on the same day. Three back, she won a Gundagai Maiden by a space and will go close with average luck in the run. XCEPTIONAL FELLA (4) missed a nose here in a 60 and will likely push forward today. Keeps improving and, with average luck, can get into the finish. Ditto EXOTIC DANCER (5), who finished with the above, and will present fitter.