The Rail is out 5m the Entire. With fine weather forecast in Canberra, they should run on a fair surface. It's a solid meeting with plenty of competitive races.
Race 1 2000m BM 65
THE RIGHT REIN (2) missed a whisker at Newcastle and Randwick before blitzing the 78 graders at Queanbeyan by 7L stepping up to this trip backed heavily. He is on a 7-day return and rates to be winning again. BUFF IN DISGUISE (4) found Newcastle a stretch two-back but the form around that reads well. He improved again narrowly beaten at Orange and flies this course and trip. CICADA (6) is in the top Sydney stable and brings a nose defeat from Bathurst. He is sure to keep improving and has claims. JUST BOOGIE (5) had been going well before a plainer effort at Wyong. Comes back in grade and a senior rider goes on. He deserves consideration.
Race 2 1000m MDN
Tricky. The newcomers may hold the key. SAFRANO (9) debuts and has looked sharp at the trials. Won her latest at Warwick Farm and Lloyd will give the filly every chance. REDOUTE'S GIRL (8) debuts and is also trained at Warwick Farm. The well-bred filly has also impressed at the trials, and she maps for the run of the race. Stablemate MISS BACKCHAT (7) may be just as good, but she has an awkward barrier to overcome. GIZA (2) has been freshened since the placing here and is going well. She is well-placed with the 4kg claim but drops back 300m and has an outside gate. LA BELLA BONDI (6) resumes and has switched yards. Three of her four outings have been at Group and Stakes level. She's warmed up with a Hawkesbury trial and must be kept very safe.
Race 3 1600m CL1
DUE CALZINI (5) is much better than the form line suggests. He has raced at Group level his last two and three-back was beaten 1L in a Highway at Rosehill. Has a wide gate but has been freshened and will win if presented on song. SO MAGNIFICENT (6) must step up from a Maiden win here but couldn't have been more impressive. Fitter again and the mile will suit. The colt is promising. MONTEVECCHIO (14) brought strong trials and did enough over 1600m at Wyong on debut to consider. Lloyd stays aboard and he jumps from the inside barrier. Fitter and keep onside. SOUL TAKER (10) and MIDNIGHT LUNA (8) will be around the mark.
Race 4 1300m MDN
DUBAI WARRIOR (5) overcame a wide barrier and slow start to miss narrowly at Scone on debut. He'd trialled well leading into that, and Heywood goes aboard and he's building a tidy record with the Sydney stable. Strips fitter and can go on with it. SIMPLY NUTBUSH (2) was narrowly beaten at Newcastle before a spell and just missed at Hawkesbury first-up. That's good form but he will jump from an outside gate. Penza is a positive jockey engagement, and the gelding will go close with average luck. Doubt there's much between GREYGENTA (12) and GLORY (8) who have their second race starts. They both bring narrow defeats from Goulburn, but GLORY will likely jump from the outside barrier.
Race 5 1000m BM55
ALL TOO LUCKY (2) came from well back and wasn't beaten far at Nowra first-up in in a 66. She's been kept on fresh and has been kept up to the mark with a solid Hawkesbury trial. Her form last preparation stacks right up and the grade suits. CAPTAIN NAY (3) won a trial and resumed with a well-supported Maiden win at Gundagai. This is a step up but he presents fitter and is promising. Penza is aboard today replacing the apprentice. The speedy KISSING SUPIDO (1) finds an easier assignment than Rosehill where he didn't have the best of it. He mixes the form but has the first-time blinkers applied and the 4kg claim helps offset some of the extra weight. Drops back to the shorter sprint off a brief freshen. BLUE BAYOU (14) draws awkwardly but has the first-time blinkers applied and is a likely improver from Canberra's premier barn. TRIFECTA RUBY (11) is worth a look at odds.
Race 6 1200m OPEN – Federal
LANG PARK (5) resumes and rates to win if presented ready. He's performed well in more substantial races and hasn't been missed in early markets. DEVINE MISS (3) has been busting to win here and has been kept on the fresh side. Suited again and maps well. A senior hoop goes aboard, and she'll give him every chance. CHARLEMAGNE (4) trialled sharply at Rosehill and followed that with a nose defeat in an 82 at Orange. Has a wide gate but can feature with average luck in the run. ASTUNNER (6) resumed here in Open grade and did more than expected. He races forward and has more to give. Fitter and is in the mix.
Race 7 1400m CL2
Neasham-Archibald-trained NETTLES (6) disappointed in stronger at Hawkesbury but missed a whisker at Kembla Grange prior and that's a better measure of her ability. Hard fit now and she maps for the run of the race. A solid each-way chance. ADOLPHUS (5) resumes and is a promising galloper in the Matt Dale yard. Won 2/3 last preparation and will be naturally improved. TONKATSU GODDESS (12) just missed at Goulburn and was heavily bet at Scone following winning a Maiden over this distance. This is a step up, but she races forward, and Owen stays aboard. Lightly raced with upside. FLYING IMPALA (2) is fast and should make short work of the wide barrier. Needed the first-up outing in stronger and she's well-performed at this course and distance. The 3kg claim brings her right into it.