The track was rated a Good 4 on race-day eve but rain is forecast but is yet to eventuate. The rail is in the true position and expect it to race fairly. The warm-up to the Black Opal carnival and there is plenty of Sydney representation and some very interesting contests.
Race 1 (1000m) Bm 60
A few chances. NOBODY'S PUPPET (2) was much better at Nowra beaten 1L without much luck. Drops back in grade and Owen will use the rail. In a top local barn and is hard-fit. EUROSAY (1) showed more like his best form beaten a nose at Goulburn. Will be better for it and despite top weight is a chance to go one better. TESTA'S FLOWER (3) brings strong figures from Taree. She's back a level and races at peak. Will come late. BLAZING BEAU (7) has been close-up the last two. It's been a long time without drinks, but he can't be ruled out off the freshen.
BET: Leaning to Nobody's Puppet.
Race 2 (1300m) CL1
FOURMADEC (5) is lightly raced and had no luck at all placing here first-up heavily-bet. Showed plenty the brief initial preparation and Chad Schofield's booking suggests she's pleasing. In a sharp local barn and goes on top. BLUE JAGER (2) was close-up at Newcastle before delivering the Maiden win at Bathurst as expected. Keeps improving and looks capable of taking the next step. SOJO (7) is an improver from the Olive yard who took out the Maiden here first-up. She will use the rail and has plenty of scope for improvement. CHARLEMAGNE (4) won the Maiden here two-back and was close-up at Goulburn after as favourite. Loy sticks and will use the rail. Note however the gelding gets synthetic hoof filler first time.
BET: Backing Fourmadec.
Race 3 (1000m) Mdn
Tricky and the race-day betting will be instructive. NEVER CARELESS (4) narrowly missed a placing at Newcastle on debut and didn't have the best of it. Brought strong Randwick trials to that and the winkers are applied today. Fitter and tough to beat with Hutchings sticking. WILLIAMS BAY (6) must manage a wide gate but is threatening a win and didn't have the best of it at Goulburn the latest. Gets another chance. EL NIDO (12) is up to this at best but has been struggling to win. Comes back to a short sprint on a 28-day return and that might do the trick. Represents one of the nations' top barns. Stablemates MIL CIENTO (3) and PATRIKA MIST (11) are both on debut owning sharp Kembla Grange trials. No surprise to see one or both race boldly.
BET: Backing Never Careless.
Race 4 (1400m) Bm 65
ALLGEMEINE (7) is a progressive local who came from last here three weeks ago missing a nose. Was heavily-backed seeking the hat-trick and fitter can bounce-back lifting to the 1400m. KELVEDON ROAD (5) is also promising and powered home first-up in the 58 recording an impressive win. Was equally as good at Kembla Grange before the spell and will enjoy the longer sprint. Fitter he's a live hope. ONEHELVASON (6) followed the Maiden win with a near miss at Wyong and that stacks right up. Draws to lead for box seat and is also a decent chance. RETIRO (2) has been around the mark in town in stronger class. Peaks now and the speed-bred gelding is in the mix.
BET: With Allgemeine in a good contest.
Race 5 (1300m) Mdn SW
This is a tough form assignment, and the race-day betting will tell a lot. On what we've seen FLOATING (3) gets the nod off a rather luckless run at Hawkesbury on debut. He had won a trial there prior and is sure to have come on. Like Loy's booking and he will give him a good ride from the handy barrier. HEALTHY BEAUTY (9) resumes owning a Randwick trial win. She will use the rail and showed enough the first preparation to threaten if presented on-song. SHOOTING FOR KATE (12) resumes for a leading Sydney barn with the blinkers applied. She has been well-trialled and will run along from the nice gate. The barn has had representatives backed-and-beaten a few times here over the last few months, but a bold run is anticipated. MANDALONG CASH (19) will be better for the two runs in and is up to this at best. Cahill sticking is a plus and the colt should be hitting the line. MRS GLOOP (10) may be best of the rest.
BET: Leaning to Floating each way.
Race 6 (1200m) Open
Competitive. ISLAND BAY BOY (7) wins this at best and third-up should be ready to fire. Has won in that state and is a course and distance specialist. Gets weight relief and gets the nod over MR MAGICAL (3) presenting off the lip defeat in the Sapphire Coast Open as favourite. Fitter and draws for the run of the race. He's also won third-up and should go close. CALESCENT (4) won the 75 easily here from the speed and then led in stronger at Canterbury and folded up at the 200m. Freshened briefly and keeps the 2kg claim. A bounce is on the cards. MAJOR TIME (6) is fast and followed the 75 win here with a 1.3L defeat at Warwick Farm. He will run along and is also a winning a winning chance.
BET: Island Bay Boy in a good race.
Race 7 (1000m) Open 2 SW
Another tricky form assignment with top Sydney barns with runners accepted. On what we've seen SWEET RIDE (4) appeals. Led and was a big Rosehill winner on debut and then faded late from the speed in the rich Inglis Millennium. That sets the colt up well for this. WINNERTAKESITALL (14) debuts and impressed winning the recent Randwick trial. Speed-bred and the Snowden yard has a whopping 35% strike rate at this track. FERRARI MAN (1) raced favourite on debut and pulled up with an issue. Brings a comfortable Hawkesbury trial win and has been gelded. Expect a bold run. ST BEST (3) debuts off a comfortable Hawkesbury trial win and looks to have good ability. BIRDONAWING (6) debuted in the rich Golden Gift just in the market. Gets a low gate and Sweet Ride's stablemate must be kept safe.
BET: Sweet Ride with the race fitness and experience.
Race 8 (1600m) Open - Canberra Mile.
LACKEEN (4) brings a win and near-miss from Randwick over the in stronger company. The Godolphin galloper draws for a soft run and is the one to beat despite getting synthetic hoof filler applied first time. STEELY (2) peaks and wasn't beaten far in the Carrington Stakes the latest. Should find cover pushing forward and can make the finish finding his best. FIVE KINGDOM (8) is a leader who won the 84 at Flemington before the near-miss in a Randwick 88 as favourite. Has trialled since and well-weighted Penza will ensure the local will be hard to get past. SAVOURY (11) won by a space at Canterbury and then was good late in the 88 at Randwick. Will push over to the pace and can't be ruled out.
BET: Like Lackeen.
Race 9 (1600m) CL1
LET'S KARAKA DEEL (4) resumes a gelding for a star barn and is clearly the best horse in the race. He's a Group and Listed performer and kicking off at the Mile won't bother. Just missed in the Mornington Guineas first-up last time and should have these well-covered. MEDIARO (9) missed a nose at Newcastle on debut and then won the Maiden here heavily-bet. It was a good effort and fitter he's a quinella hope. HARDY (2) peaks and has been knocking on the door. He's well-bred and speedy and can make the placings. ROSOVO (10) is a Godolphin galloper who will be better for the Newcastle run when he settled too far back from the wide gate. The debut win (Wyong) was good, but he needs a good ride.
BET: Keen on Let's Karaka Deel.
