3 minute read

Lightly raced mare Icy Mist can bounce back to form in tonight's Tooheys New Handicap (race 2) at Canterbury Park.

The Chris Waller trained mare didn't have much luck at the same course last time but is worth another chance in this fillies and mares Benchmark 75 over 1900m.

The mare, a daughter of Al Maher, was well held over 1300m on the Kensington track fresh up when settling off the speed but only battling home. She did finish last but only 4.4 lengths from the winner.

Up to a more suitable 1550m here second up the grey took up the running and kicked strongly in the straight, scoring a 1.5 length win over Midnight Hustler.

She then returned here over the same trip and with her big weight had to work early to cross from a wide gate.

Turning third the early effort told over the final stages and she could manage only third.

Up to 1900m last time here, the mare settled off the pace and coming to the turn was midfield but she did run into traffic at a crucial time.

From there, she couldn't get going again and battled home for a 4.5 length eighth behind Praise Be.

Tonight Icy Mist is back against her own sex and although up slightly in weight will find this easier.

It's significant that stablemate Tropicana Girl, who looked a strong winning chance, has been scratched with Waller relying on Icy Mist to do the job tonight.

She should enjoy a good run in barrier one and prove hard to hold out.

Mosso Arioso battled home last time but might be worth another chance here.

The mare, prepared by Jarrod Austin at Warwick Farm, broke through for her maiden win three back over 1500m at Hawkesbury then backed it up with a mile win in a Class 1 at Kembla Grange.

Last start, in a Benchmark 68 in Canberra, she raced second throughout and boxed on well for a length fourth.

She is back to her own sex here and also drops in weight.

Drawn ideally in barrier two, she is likely to take up the running and should give a good sight again.

The David Hayes trained Sky Journey is an interesting runner who should give a sight here fresh.

The mare has a very consistent overall record but does find it hard to win.

After finding her first two from a spell too sharp she placed at her next three over 1875m at Kyneton, 2024m at Morphettville and 2500m there next start.

She also raced there over 2500m again last time and made some late ground to finish fourth.

The mare has been given a let up for this and the stable have been knocking up winning races in Sydney this season.

Whether she'll find the trip too sharp fresh is the question but she is honest and suited against her own sex.

Magic Ivy was a strong 2000m winner of a Class 2 last time and although gets back will be charging into it late.

Tigress Lily rates highly on her best form but it's been a while since she showed it.