Yard to the Post | Canterbury Park
Race Day: Canterbury Park on Friday, 10 February 2023
A warm February evening at Canterbury Park and we raced on imprioving SOFT conditions with the rail in the TRUE position.
The first few races had close finishes around the tight-turning track before Brett Prebble put an end to that trend with a daring all-the-way win on ZOUSON BAY over 1,900 metres in Race 5. The son of Zoustar was revved up in the yard pre-race so Prebble let him stride seven lengths clear into the home turn. His last few strides were shortening, but he did enough to hang on by 1.8 lengths from the closing pack.
Track specialist DYNAMIC IMPACT (Race 7) and promising filly DASHING LEGEND (Race 8) ended the night with clear wins too, the latter a horse to follow over the carnival after showing so much promise last campaign.
A full review by Mike Wood is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | SOFT 6 to SOFT 5 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR, inside lanes slightly better |
Race 1 PRECISE FIRE HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Were Da Ya Get It | Annabel Neasham | Tom Marquand | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | The Englishman | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Highland Cathedral | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 4 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
KAPAKIRI (jogging, warm) and JOLTED (warm) seemed to be the two not handling the hot evening at Canterbury that well. GAGO a solid quite robust type that was well and very calm in the yard. Most of the others looking fine.
In The Running
HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL led at a FAIR tempo from WERE DA YA GET IT pushing up outside the lead in the early stages. KAPAKIRI stuck wide continuing to be unsettled so Nash pushed forward mid-race to take the lead. HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL then popped outside the new leader and gave WERE DA YA GET IT some cover with THE ENGLISMAN on his inside pushing clear on the turn (caused some interference to WERE DA YA GET IT and GAGO, who was a bit awkward around the turn).
The Result
THE ENGLISHMAN (2nd) got to the lead, but Tom Marquand sat down to ride WERE DA YA GET IT (1st) right out for a narrow win.
The Interest
WERE DA YA GET IT had beaten THE ENGLISHMAN and GAGO last start so there wasn't much surprise that he got the job done today following a vigorous ride from Tom Marquand. THE ENGLISHMAN enjoyed the extra distance and inside barrier to go very close. GAGO (bit green, galloped on, 2/5 lame) had excuses and ZAKIYYA (very green) is doing plenty wrong. The colt KAPAKIRI didn't behave and he pulled up with a slow recovery.
Race 2 FURPHY HANDICAP
fair tempo
: early pressure
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Songbird Serenade | Richard Litt | Chad Schofield | 4 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Crackalacka | Theresa Bateup | Ms Molly Bourke | 8 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Sensationalisation | Jason Deamer | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
THE ARTEFACT getting warm in the yard after a long spell. Most of them fine in the yard with none standing out.
In The Running
THE ARTEFACT pushed forward early and got across SENSATIONALISATION, the two of them coming away from the pack and SENSATIONALISATION getting fired up (keen) as a result. CRACKALACKA got a nice trail behind them. SONGBIRD SERENADE (6th rails WC) back on the inside enjoying the honest tempo.
The Result
SONGBIRD SERENADE (1st) ran on best to just beat CRACKALACKA (2nd) and SENSATIONALISATION (3rd).
The Interest
A close finish and the extra tempo injected by THE ARTEFACT made all the difference, making it the type of test that the robust SONGBIRD SERENADE relishes. STELLAR PERFORMER disappointing, perhaps not the night for coming wide on the turn and trying to run on. SENSATIONALISATON attacked for the lead early and was perhaps the best run in the race.
Race 3 REGAL STAGE HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicci's Fling | Gary Portelli | Dylan Gibbons | 3 | 61.5 | |
| 2 | Bitcoin Baby | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Brett Prebble | 2 | 60.0 | |
| 3 | Bootscooter | Rodney Northam | Jett Stanley | 1 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
MAMOUNIA didn't seem to be fit in the yard and had improvement to come in her coat. Most of them looking fine, NICCI'S FLING well-balanced and walking out nicely. DE AN ANDRETTI a very powerful type with a strong compact frame.
In The Running
TWICE AS SPECIAL worked up to lead from BEEP TEST who also had to do some work to get outside the leader. BITCOIN BABY in the box seat and NICCI'S FLING (6th 2W WC) getting a nice trail off the honest tempo. Unfortunately, ESSONNE buck-jumped in the early stages and lost her rider Chad Schofield.
The Result
NICCI’S FLING (1st) got going on the turn and ran on best to beat BITCOIN BABY (2nd) who worked clear up the inside and challenged gamely.
The Interest
Two decent Saturday-class sprinters with form around each other fought this out. ESSONNE is clearly worth forgiving after buck-jumping for the first time and DE AN ANDRETTI pulled up with a cardiac arrhythmia. Surprising to see TWICE AS SPECIAL take up the running from the outside barrier.
Race 4 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ithadtobezou | John Thompson | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Citizenship | Ciaron Maher | Brenton Avdulla | 7 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Kazou | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 5 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
All well in the yard and KAZOU fit enough to show up first-up. SYRIAN STAR wondering around the yard a bit aimlessly on and off the path.
In The Running
CITIZENSHIP led up from JUSTINA with ITHADTOBEZOU (4th 2W) in a nice trailing spot just behind. KAZOU surprisingly slow to begin and keen back on the inside.
The Result
ITHADTOBEZOU (1st) pounced to beat CITIZENSHIP (2nd) with KAZOU (3rd) getting clear and running on.
The Interest
ITHADTOBEZOU and CITIZENSHIP came through last start maiden wins here and handled the track perfectly again. KAZOU was held up for a few strides behind the winner, but he was safely held late as the fitter horses kept going strongly to the line.
Race 5 TAB HANDICAP
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zouson Boy | Brad Widdup | Brett Prebble | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Yukon | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Jason Collett | 6 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Above And Beyond | Gary Portelli | Brock Ryan | 2 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
YUKON more settled than he was at Randwick last start. ZOUSON BOY on his toes and rearing to go in the yard, a very fit type not carrying much muscle mass.
In The Running
ZOUSON BOY went clear in the lead early, backed it off for a while mid-race and then shot clear for home building up a massive lead early in the home straight.
The Result
ZOUSON BOY (1st) held on from the chasing pack headed by YUKON (2nd).
The Interest
Brave tactics from Brett Prebble on the winner. It's not a bad strategy to let a keen horse run and he got the benefits today. A better effort from YUKON down in grade and race favourite TARAASHOQ didn't seem to relish the more testing tempo, a horse that can sprint off a steadier speed. MONREAL blocked late running on and could have placed with luck.
Race 6 MICROPHONE FIRST YEARLINGS HANDICAP
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Regal Pom | Annabel Neasham | Chad Schofield | 8 | 60.0 | |
| 2 | Charity Spirit | Gary Portelli | Reece Jones | 2 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Daytona | Michael Freedman | James McDonald | 4 | 59.5 |
In The Yard
A good parade from most as the night cooled at Canterbury with the sun now fully set. WILSHIRE BOULEVARD just a touch anxious. TIME RAID a big solid robust type.
In The Running
TIME RAID led from REGAL POM early with DAYTONA getting stuck wide and having to work up to the position outside lead early on.
The Result
REGAL POM (1st) moved up stylishly, but started to peak on his run late and only just fell in from CHARITY SPIRIT driving through up the inside and DAYTONA (3rd) fighting on.
The Interest
REGAL POM and DAYTONA brought the best form in on paper, and they were probably the best runs even though there wasn't much between the top seven in the finish (only two lengths). DAYTONA worked hard early and REGAL POM is poor at putting races away as his record suggests. MYSTIC MERMAID had her chance after finding the back of the winner.
Race 7 JOHN MCGRATH KIA EVENING STAR
strong tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dynamic Impact | Bjorn Baker | Jason Collett | 1 | 60.5 | |
| 2 | Bugalugs | Scott Singleton | Reece Jones | 4 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Marnix | Richard Litt | Chad Schofield | 2 | 60.0 |
In The Yard
Most sprinters looking well. INVINCIBLE KISS not shining in the coat compared to others and a bit warm in places. DEVILS TRIANGLE looked like she had a little bit of fitness improvement to come. MARNIX not far off full fitness.
In The Running
LAND OF VALENS went to the lead and sped along at a STRONG tempo with NEVER SECOND outside the leader and INVINCIBLE KISS stuck 3W NC chasing the hot speed. DYNAMIC IMPACT (10th rails WC) slow to begin.
The Result
DYNAMIC IMPACT (1st) travelled strongly in the straight, weaved through and charged late to beat BUGALUGS (2nd) who had hit the lead early in the straight.
The Interest
DYNAMIC IMPACT is such a genuine chaser that loves these strong tempos at Canterbury and Jason Collett guided him home through tight gaps for the win. BUGALUGS paraded well and gave a big sight. MARNIX and DEVILS TRIANGLE two to follow into the prep. NEVER SECOND a forgive run chasing the hot speed.
Race 8 THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP
fair tempo
Bias:
Fair
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dashing Legend | Joseph Pride | Brenton Avdulla | 3 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | Seven Sisters | James Cummings | James McDonald | 1 | 57.5 | |
| 3 | Girl Mania | Jean Dubois | Tom Marquand | 12 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
The first-up 3YOs both fit in the yard. DASHING LEGEND a nice balanced type that was getting a bit hot/unsettled. NOMINATOR a more compact type that looked fine first-up. BAKUHATSU very warm and unsettled.
In The Running
DASHING LEGEND pushed forward and took a nice trail behind the speedy NOMINATOR.
The Result
DASHING LEGEND (1st) moved up and sustained a strong run from SEVEN SISTERS (2nd) running on up the inside and GIRL MANIA (3rd) running on out wider.
The Interest
She was perhaps one of the most progressive horses on the card tonight and she delivered despite looking quite fresh and warm in the parade. The form around Insurrection (big recent winner) had worked out and perhaps they can go on to race each other again over the Autumn Carnival now.