7/3/2021 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Canberra, Black Opal Stakes day

A bumper eight race card has been set down for Canberra this Sunday, highlighted by the time honoured Black Opal Stakes (1200m). The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is out three metres for the entire circuit.

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4 Quiet Riot (Bet Now: $1.60) looks to have the most upside of this lot. Resumes for Bjorn Baker after a two run prep around this time last year where he won on debut before running a close up fourth in a field of five best Best Stone. Two trials to get ready, been gelded…keen to see how he goes.

7 Lady Demi (Bet Now: $7.50) is well suited back to 1200m. Probably wasn’t the right idea to back up in a Country Championship Qualifier given 1400m is too far for her, and sitting wide no cover didn’t help. Gets a much better set up this time around, can stalk the speed and Tommy steers. Hard to beat.

1 Major Time (Bet Now: $11.00) has a touch of quality about him and back on his home track, he can bounce back. Last couple of runs have come in town and has run well without winning. He races best when on speed, and that should eventuate here, whether he leads or sits outside Quiet Riot.

11 Lady Of Luxury (Bet Now: $1.90) is racing well without winning for Bjorn Baker. She was luckless two back on the Kenso track before going to Wyong where she was held up, but I thought she was out in time to win. Just couldn’t quite get there. 2000m, big track, lack of depth…she gets another golden chance.

2 Lord Desanimaux (Bet Now: $4.60) doesn’t have the greatest of winning strike rates but is an honest animal for Terry Robinson that is rarely far away. That was the case in an 1800m Highway at Randwick last time and he worked home quite well without threatening behind Birdonawinningpost. Like him up to 2000m and is a key threat.

If this becomes a slog, then 1 Foxtror Bravo (Bet Now: $14.00) will be strong at the end given he comes here off the back of a run over 2300m at Muswellbrook. He ran fourth, beaten six lengths, but the form out of it has been okay with the winner running okay at Warwick Farm and the runner up beaten a lip on Friday. Not the worst.

Looking at this race with Propose To Me out. Leaning towards 2 El Coyote (Bet Now: $13.00). He was too bad to be true first up at Newcastle behind Stormy Rock. Freshened up, trialled and went to Goulburn where he was wide no cover throughout yet fought on really bravely when fourth. Think a positive ride will see him find the lead comfortably and he’ll give a great sight.

10 Underground Music (Bet Now: $3.50) is the map horse. Kurt Goldman trained mare that got into the box seat when racing over 1300m here last time out. Was just a matter of getting clear air and once Nisbet found it, she dashed and showed good late speed to win. Maps to get the box seat once again and is hard to beat.

5 Zardoro (Bet Now: $15.00) should be suited up to 1400m again. Was 1400m back to 1200m when racing at Goulburn last time and he worked to the line pretty well from off the speed, just peaking on the run the final 50m. 2/3 at 1400m and gets a leading local rider in Blake McDougall to steer.

She could start odds on here 7 Glamour Runs Deep (Bet Now: $1.65). Yes, it is trials, but her recent Goulburn trial saw her move very well and all things being equal, I think she wins. Matty Dale on his home track during the Carnival, he usually has a first starter primed and this looks the pony. Anything above $2 is a bet.

8 Kermatin (Bet Now: $6.50) is a daughter of Kermadec for Keith Dryden that resumes. Had a two run prep in the Spring to start her career, working home well late on debut over 1200m before stepping up to 1300m and running a solid third before being spelled. No public trials to get ready but you’d assume she’s had a jumpout or two here to get ready. Market will be the guide.

For wider multiples, I’d certainly include 9 Miss Horsbro (Bet Now: $67.00). Daughter of Dawn Approach that is on debut off the back of one trial. Sat near the back in the trial and wasn’t really asked for an effort, but looked to move well. She’ll likely go around $51+, but draws soft and stable finds Kathy to steer.

5 Black Magnum (Bet Now: $3.90) is a beauty for Mark Newnham and is generally around the mark. Resumed in the Emanate race from a fortnight ago at Rosehill where he was given a peach by Robbie Dolan but with the ride, he gave the drag up to Emanate, who had the suck run behind, peeled off its back and dashed to well. He’s a short course horse, so a fast run 1000m looks ideal.

It was hard to miss the first up run of 3 Flat Heaven (Bet Now: $3.70) at Rosehill. Not sure he was going to beat Emanate, but he clearly should have run second. Just had no luck at all in the straight when seemingly full of running. Concede the gate is a nightmare, but the hot speed in front will give him every chance to finish over the top.

4 Single Bullet (Bet Now: $12.00) is a talented galloper resuming for Gary Portelli. The key to him is finding races where he can be ridden stone cold, get clear and produce a short, sharp burst. Thought his recent trial was more than encouraging and sitting off a good speed, think he’ll get his chance to finish over the top.

Looks a perfect race for 2 Brave Song (Bet Now: $5.00) to bounce back into the winners list. He is several weeks between runs for Team Snowden since racing in the John Dillon when back and closing off well late when second to Blazejowski, a handy horse in his own right. Fresh legs, 1400m, J Mac on, dry ground…just looks an ideal set up.

3 Handle The Truth (Bet Now: $5.50) is an absolute beauty for Keith Dryden that doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Resumed just over two weeks back at Rosehill and liked the way he found the line late behind Emanate to run third in an encouraging return. Nash has a great record on him, fitter, up in trip, very likeable.

The one I like at a massive price is 8 Commander (Bet Now: $91.00). He trialled like a bomb at Kembla, with Blinkers. They were taken off first up in the Preview to this race and he was good late in restricted room. Blinkers are back on this time around and I think $71+ for him is crazy odds. Certainly worth something small on.

1 Rocket Tiger (Bet Now: $3.30) is a beauty for Scott Spackman. To me, he reminds me of Castelvecchio in the sense that he might not be sharp enough for a Slipper, but would be a perfect candidate to have a crack at the Sires/Champagne. That said, his recent efforts suggest he won’t look out of place in the Golden Slipper given he was good late in the Silver Slipper.

I’m wary of 3 Construct (Bet Now: $6.00). He was good without luck in the Blue Diamond Prelude before going to the big race itself where he was far from disgraced nearer the inside, which wasn’t the spot to be. Needs to run well to secure a Slipper start and on the way he’s going, I think he can.

win and you’re in for the Golden Slipper for the winner here so I’m very interested that Team Hawks throw a first starter in 15 Solar Winds(Bet Now: $8.00) to the races. Right decision to scratch from a hot Todman yesterday to be saved for this and he has trialled nicely to get ready. Overall, this isn’t a strong Black Opal, so he doesn’t need to be a star to win.

4 To The Nines (Bet Now: $3.10) for me in the get out. Tash Burleigh trains this talented galloper, who just found the 1200m a bridge too far first up at Wagga. Was given a peach by McDougall and was there to win. Just couldn’t quite finish it off. Fresh legs back to 1000m, he should take a power of beating.

Big query here on 8 London Gal (Bet Now: $2.80), resuming for Matty Dale. Had two runs in the Spring to start her career, winning on debut at Corowa before going to Cootamundra when on speed over 1200m and feeling the pinch late to run third. Nice quiet Goulburn trial to get her ready and she does look a 1000m horse.

2 Missile Magic (Bet Now: $11.00) lacks the class of some of these, but will be strong at the end, which has been the case with him his last couple of runs at this track/distance, albeit in weaker races than this, so needs to improve a few lengths to win, but think he is an absolute must for exotics.

BEST BET: Race Four Number 7 Glamour Runs Deep

NEXT BEST: Race Eight Number 4 To The Nines

LONG SHOT: Race Three Number 2 El Coyote

Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):

Leg One: 3, 4, 5, 7

Leg Two: 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

Leg Three: 1, 3, 7, 15

Leg Four: 4, 8

$50 Investment = 31.25% of the dividend if successful

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