The Canberra Acton track and has been playing fairer this winter season than it appears at first blush. Gallopers good enough will get their chance. The fields have held up and the racing will be competitive.
Race 1 1080m Mdn
BRONCO REVOLUTION (6) was spelled off a 3.5L defeat in the Listed Lonhro Stakes. Resumed at Canterbury 44 days ago in need of the run and has since trialled well at Canterbury. She is proven on the fresh side and can keep in touch in the small field. Rates best. PUSHALOT (4) has been flying around here and is the one they must catch. She missed a whisker in a driving finish over this distance last time and Cahill remains aboard. She's a big threat. LET'SAVALOOK (3) can race forward, and she resumed for the new barn with a tidy effort at Wagga. She will be better for that and has pieces of form that stack up.
Race 2 1750m Bm 65
Nick Olive-trained ONEFORIAN (7) will take his place in the race with a late jockey engagement. Brings an easy CL1 win at this track/trip heavily bet. Races forward and keeps the handy 2kg claim. Hard to beat. BRINGBACKTHEBEARS (5) dropped back to this trip at Goulburn and was disappointing. The jockey believed he was unable to quicken on the worn track. His form prior stacks right up and his record this track/distance is sharp. A bounce is on the cards. HOWLING VICTORY (8) spiked her figures beaten a nose at Goulburn and then went close on a heavy track at the Sapphire Coast 5 days ago both at the mile. She races forward and Penza is a positive jockey booking. Has weight relief and will get every chance. FIL (6) led and won a 64 at Wangaratta comfortably this trip running his best race. Has the outside gate to contend with but can't be ruled out.
Race 3 1260m Bm 50
FORBIDDEN GEMSTONE (3) races on speed and will be suited around here. The local deserved the CL1 win at Bathurst three back and ran her best race narrowly beaten at Wagga last time. Has the handy 2kg claim and will be hard to beat. PAPAVER MINER (9) was quickly back on track winning this grade/trip here trailing the speed. The 3kg claim takes care of the weight rise and he's capable of going back-to-back. WHITE LIAR (2) raced forward in the same race beaten 1.2L. She has an outside barrier today and that makes it tougher. TEXAS OPEN (8) has disappointed his last two over longer sprints. He has a handy record at this course/distance and Cahill's booking interests. Keeping safe.
Race 4 1900m CL1 SW
EVER WAS (2) doesn't salute out of turn but is going well enough at the provincials to suggest this is winnable. The 3kg claim brings him right into it. He's a backmarker drawn the rail so will need some luck. The Maiden TANTALUM (10) has been well-backed at her last three, with the narrow defeat at Albury the best of them. Has a handy gate and 2kg claim and the longer journey is likely to suit. Sits down in the weights and is an each-way play. KANOOZI (4) deserved the Maiden win and then found Oneforian too good here 13 days ago over 1750m. It was a strong effort. Not sure where she will get to from the outside barrier but she's improving and is a chance to bounce. SIDE CASH (6) is a maiden worth consideration with Penza aboard.
Race 5 1280m Mdn
SOUTHERN DEEL (1) debuts and owns a trial win here. The well-bred filly has a low barrier and Penza is a positive jockey booking. She looks promising and this is a winnable race. VELLA ICON (10) is a lightly raced improver from the Vella yard. Had support but needed the first-up outing and she will be sharper over the longer sprint. OH WHAT A KNIGHT (3) has been narrowly beaten this track/trip at his last two starts. A chance to go one better. A MILLION ROSES (4) can show more second up and is also in the mix.
Race 6 1080m CL2
ZAZEL (8) resumes for the premier local yard. Improved to win her Maiden here two back on the turf and will be naturally improved. She will have worked on this track and maps for a soft run behind the leaders. Martin stays aboard. Each way. Sydney-trained ROMAN MISS (6) peaks and is right up to this at best. Draws low today and can lead or box-seat. Should go close. SHRIMP (9) also races forward and resumes off a dominant Maiden win at the Sapphire Coast. Has a hope if presented on-song. PRETTY VEGAS (2) carried a big weight first-up at Wagga and needed the outing. She has plenty up her sleeve and is proven second-up. Note that Souquet is here to retain his association with the mare. RUSSIAN ASSASSIN (1) resumes with a handy 3kg claim and is also in the mix.
Race 7 1280m Open – Federal
CRAVING MAGIC (8) delivered the hat-trick by a space first-up this track/trip and then went to Melbourne and found the grade a bit rich. Arrives here on a 9-day backup and is proven third-up. Maps for a soft run and fitter is the one they have to beat. LOVE SHUCK (2) didn't get warm from a wide gate in a 72 at Rosehill but posted a strong relative figure winning a Wagga 74 prior from the front. Heywood is a positive jockey booking and he will be suited around this circuit. Peaks and is a serious player. Tougher sorting the others. FERRARI GIRL (11) led and belted the 58 graders here surprising the market. Drew wide in that and again today. She can skip over and give a sight. Dryden-trained TROOPER KNUCKLE (7) is also fourth up and he's a better chance than the form line suggests. Needs a good ride but will only carry 52 kilos and has been kept on the fresh side for the shorter sprint. NIC'S HERO (10) is going well enough to include at a big price.
