3 minute read

Consistent galloper Spanish Halo can continue his good form in today's Ray White Canberra Handicap (race 4) at Canberra.

The local prepared gelding, from the Keith Dryden yard, broke through for an overdue win last time but can put two together as he tackles this Benchmark 65 over a mile.

Spanish Halo looked close to a win with two solid efforts at his first two runs of the campaign before heading to town and finishing a four length seventh over a mile at Warwick Farm.

He returned home for a Benchmark 64 and after sitting off the pace ran on well to strike the front but in turn was grabbed right on the line, finishing a half length second.

Back to 1400m for a Benchmark 67 he was beaten for early speed and settled well back, but wound up strongly in the straight. He again finished runner up, beaten only a neck.

Last start, again at Canberra but in a Benchmark 71, he settled off the speed before knuckling down strongly and scoring a half length win.

Today the gelding rises in the weights to 50.5kg but drops in grade to this Benchmark 65.

He has a great record at home and at the track and distance has three runs for a win and a second.

He is very honest and should be hitting the line hard.

Lightly-raced galloper Our Avalanche is having his first start at a mile today but is close to a win and looks hard to hold out.

Prepared by Anne Maree Robinson, the gelding covered ground fresh over 1000m at Kembla Grange before tiring.

He returned there over 1200m second up and after a poor start was always well back and then was caught wide, but worked to the line strongly to finish fifth.

Last start, to 1400m at Kembla in a Benchmark 65, he drew wide and went back to the tail, turning there but storming home to finish runner up.

He looks suited at the extra ground today and won't find this grade any tougher.

The gelding has drawn ideally in barrier two and should be hitting the line hard.

Kreigspiel looks ideally suited now out to a mile and should also be hitting the line strongly.

The gelding was a fresh up winner over 1400m here then was third over the same journey.

Last start he got back but was outsprinted when seventh, beaten 2.6 lengths, behind Spanish Halo.

He meets the winner 3.5kg better this time and has a great record over the extra journey.

Curata Time covered ground throughout at Albury last time when finishing fourth but is fitter and drawn better.

The trip suits, he drops in weight and is fitter for the two runs back. He can improve enough to at least be in the finish.