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The Canberra course proper has had the winter off and should present in tip-top order. The Rail is in the True position and is rated a Good 4. A strong card with a nice sprinkling of Sydney-trained gallopers going around.
Race 1 1600m Bm 70
LOUIE'S LEGACY (4) stepped up to this distance second-up and was narrowly beaten at Goulburn. He's returned to racing further improved and is well-placed with the 2kg claim. Has the figures and maps for a cosy run. STAR BUYER (7) peaks and is a danger. Keeps the much in-form Heywood and the mile should suit better this time around. Has an inside gate and the blinkers are on again. CHAIRMAN'S LIST (6) comes out of the Louie's Legacy contest beaten 1.6L. He was nudged out at Moruya prior and is holding his form. JVO replaced the apprentice and will give him every chance. DUBAI CENTRE (2) is back in grade and is busting to win. He's a slight niggle at the mile but maps nicely.
Race 2 1000m Bm 50
Competitive. DOLLYWOOD (4) settled at the tail of the field and worked home in good style to find a place on the Acton track. Fitter again and reverting to the turf won't be an issue. Draws awkwardly but JVO is a positive jockey booking. SKAIFEE (7) went close at the Sapphire Coast and then raced too keen at Moruya. She drops back to a shorter sprint briefly freshened which should suit. She has an inside gate and Jess Taylor replaces the 2kg apprentice. WALK UP START (12) resumes for a local yard and Heywood's booking interests. Expect him to be very competitive. CHAMPAGNE IN LACE (2) has been up for a while racing mainly on the synthetic. Is a course and distance winner and the 3kg claim brings her into it. The one to peg back.
Race 3 1000m Mdn
SERIAL OFFENDER (9) was good at the track/trip both starts last preparation but was a bit disappointing first-up at Moruya. She can improve sharply off that and Louise Day is reunited and has a tidy record with the Matt Dale yard. The filly sets the standard. TEYLU (1) just missed on the poly here on debut and will race forward again from a low gate. Fitter and only has to bring the form to the turf to threaten. K'GARI (8) is third-up and all his racing has been on wet tracks. Gets it dry today and she's shown enough. The first-time blinkers are applied and she's an each-way chance. XCEPTIONAL FELLA (4) is a local on debut and his recent trial was sharp. Has an awkward barrier but Owen is a positive jockey booking and the blinkers go on. OAKY DOAKS (3) is another debutant who profiles well.
Race 4 2000m CL1 SW
The Waller yard seldom ventures here and CEREMONIOUS (5) brings strong metro and provincial efforts to peak. He jumps from the rail and races forward. He will take plenty of beating. DIAMOND DISCOVERY (4) is also Sydney-trained and did a good job at Newcastle first-up when beaten 2.3L over a mile. He'd been off the scene for 365 days and is sure to have come on. May need one more but her best is good enough and she's likely to be hitting the line hard. TAUMATA (7) missed a nose here on the poly 28 days ago spiking his figures. He's trialled sharply since on the turf and Cahill stays aboard. Maps well and shapes as if the middle distance will suit. CRAFT (1) led and improved narrowly beaten at Wagga over a mile. On trial this distance but he's in good hands and hard-fit should run it out. TATIANA EXPRESS (10) has Penza up and goes into the exotics at least.
Race 5 1200m CL1
SATIN SHIMMER (5) resumed an easy Maiden winner at Muswellbrook when she led over 1000m. She's in a top Sydney barn and is sure to keep improving. The well-bred filly can take the next step. SIR MAURICE (2) deserved his Maiden win here on the poly. Maps for the run of the race and he only has to bring the form to the turf to threaten. DUPLI KATE (6) has gone close at Moruya at her last two starts and has been freshened. Cahill staying aboard is a positive and the local will finish it off hard. NARRATIVE (1) is Sydney-trained and was back on track when beaten 1.5L at Hawkesbury. She jumps from the paint but settles back in her races requiring a good ride. The extra metres will suit. TAYTAY BAY (4) has placed 2/2 fresh and has the ability. Penza rides and she needs to be kept safe.
Race 6 1300m Bm 58
HOT BANDIT (1) brought strong form to resumption and didn't have the best of it beaten 2.1L. He raced a short-priced favourite at Scone following winning this grade. That's good form and the red-hot Heywood is booked. The Luke Pepper-trained galloper can repeat the dose. STEELY GIRL (9) resumes and is up to this. She's had two soft trials and the inside barrier should advantage. WIN THE DAY (10) is a lightly raced improver from the Joseph-Jones yard. She was an easy Maiden winner in tough conditions at Gundagai and will be improved off that. Alysha Collett is a positive jockey booking. NOBLE ATTACK (2) has been racing in better company. Maps well and can't be ruled out.
Race 7 1400m Open
The Federal is wide open. LAUREL HILL (8) has won 2/3 this preparation and it was a big effort in an 82 at Moruya last time over this trip. She draws awkwardly but stays down in the weights and can go on with the job. TORETTO (5) will find this a lot easier than Randwick and his best is good enough. 2x winning rider Heywood is back on and expect him to enjoy the good racing surface. Dryden-trained LA SANTE (6) was back to form beaten 2.3L behind Laurel Hill at Moruya. Maps well and racing back home is a decent chance. Stablemate FANGELA (3) made late ground on the poly this grade but best to assess him on the strong rating effort at Wagga prior. Penza replaces the 2kg apprentice and he's worth another try over 1400m. From the same yard, BEST INTENT (10) wasn't beaten far behind Laurel Hill at Moruya and impressed leading and winning a 66 there prior over this distance. He will push forward has claims as well. Doubt the chances end there.
Race 8 1400m Mdn SW
Tricky. LONGINUS (2) has gone close at Newcastle at both his race starts and she led as a short-priced favourite last time over this distance. He's in a top Sydney barn and fitter again he can be winning in country grade. RISSHUU (3) is also in a sharp Sydney barn and settled too far back at Kembla Grange on resumption. That was his first outing for the stable and he has a key jockey switch with the red-hot Heywood replacing the 3kg apprentice. Quick improvement is likely. IL TEVERE (1) showed plenty of talent early doors and will be better for the first-up outing. Maps better and needs this distance and longer. Alysha Collett is reunited. FLYING ARGENTO (9) is also Sydney-trained and resumes off a try in Group 3 over this distance. They must have an opinion. He's had 2 trials, and it won't surprise to see him race boldly.
