Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Australian Capital Territory · Friday 21 August 2026
Our top pick won 3 of 7 races at Canberra Acton. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Rockabye Roxy is the clear form runner of the race, having won her maiden last start after four consecutive placings. She maps midfield and should be within striking distance at the 400m, which suits Canberra Acton. The main query is the rise to 1750m, but this is a weak Class 1 and she has the most reliable recent profile. She is the horse to beat.
Bella Piazza showed genuine stamina when breaking through over 1600m at Forbes and is the type who can improve again. The synthetic surface and quick return from a heavy Moruya run are obvious queries, but his distance profile and jockey booking give him a strong chance to feature in a race short on depth.
Malinga Missile has been competitive in similar races and receives a suitable draw from barrier 2. The concern is whether he truly stays 1750m, especially after a flat effort at 1610m last time. The trainer/jockey stats are a positive, making him an each-way and place threat rather than the primary winning chance.
Texan Star is the probable leader in a race with no genuine pressure, and Canberra Acton can reward a runner who is prominent at the 400m.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Malinga Missile | 2 | Damon Budler | Rob Potter | 59kg | $4.60 |
| 2nd | 5 | Rockabye Roxy | 6 | Glenn Cahill | K Dryden & L Snowden | 55kg | $3.00 |
| 3rd | 2 | Bulla Vinaka | 3 | Deon Le Roux | G G Kirkup | 57kg | $2.80 |
| 4th | 4 | Pontiac | 1 | Coriah Keatings | N F Gardner | 59kg | $51.00 |
| 5th | 6 | Empire Time | 4 | Shaun Guymer | G P Vella | 56.5kg | $31.00 |
| 6th | 8 | Texan Star | 5 | Quayde Krogh | B Joseph & P & M Jones | 56.5kg | $9.50 |
| 7th | 1 | Bella Piazza | 7 | Brodie Loy | T J Wilson | 59kg | $6.50 |
| Scr | 7 | He Likes To Party | 8 | Sairyn Fawke | Becky Byrne | 56.5kg |
Star Empire produced the strongest recent class reference in this race when third in a Class 2 over 1206m on this track first-up. He drops significantly to BM50 level and maps beautifully from barrier one, able to hold a striking position. The main query is his lack of a win at this trip and a modest second-up record, but the combination of fitness, class drop and inside draw gives him the highest winning chance.
His track and synthetic record is strong and Dale Cole stays on. The concern is that he is yet to place in three runs at 1280m, jumps from barrier 12 and carries top weight, making him more vulnerable over the extra distance.
Wolf Island has the best distance profile in the field with nine starts at 1280m producing a win and two placings, and he has placed twice in three Canberra Acton synthetic runs. He is down in class from Class 1/BM58 level to BM50 and maps to settle midfield with cover. His only negatives are a wide gate and a jockey in poor recent touch; he may need luck but is a clear top-three threat.
Soho Sushi returns from a 110-day spell with a handy first-up record of 5:1-1-1 and drops sharply from Open/BM58 grade to BM50. She won a BM50 at 1100m in April and the gear changes (blinkers again, tongue tie first time) suggest the stable expects a sharp showing.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Star Empire | 1 | Erin Ellison | G G Kirkup | 58kg | $3.00 |
| 2nd | 3 | Wolf Island | 11 | Glenn Cahill | N F Gardner | 59.5kg | $4.00 |
| 3rd | 10 | Sanzeno | 9 | Deon Le Roux | Becky Byrne | 56.5kg | $9.50 |
| 4th | 6 | Eye For Style | 4 | Emma Ly | N F Gardner | 58.5kg | $19.00 |
| 5th | 11 | Beau Rock | 6 | Teaghan Martin | G P Vella | 56kg | $15.00 |
| 6th | 5 | On Point Pixie | 7 | Quayde Krogh | Matthew Kelley | 61kg | $17.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Hard Grunt | 8 | Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen | G P Vella | 59kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 8 | Soho Sushi | 5 | Shaun Guymer | G G Kirkup | 59kg | $31.00 |
| 9th | 9 | Too Darn Sassy | 3 | Jordan Quince | B Joseph & P & M Jones | 57kg | $16.00 |
| 10th | 12 | Walk Up Start | 10 | Coriah Keatings | M D Kelley | 56kg | $101.00 |
| 11th | 1 | Merchant Reign | 12 | Dale Cole | Luke Clarke | 61kg | $5.00 |
| 12th | 7 | Liquor Talk | 2 | Sairyn Fawke | Becky Byrne | 60kg | $21.00 |
| Scr | 13 | I Iz Brilliant | 13 | Deep Shanker | J W Van Duren | 55kg |
He finished third over 1080m here two weeks ago, beaten less than two lengths, and the rise to 1280m plus first-time blinkers should suit. The knock is a 0-from-7 record, but this looks his most winnable maiden yet.
Son Of Rubick has done little wrong in five starts, finishing in the top three four times, and he is a proven fresh horse with placed efforts in both first-up runs. His recent trial on the track and the booking of in-form Brodie Loy suggest he will run well. The query is the long spell and lack of synthetic race form, making him the clear main danger rather than the top pick.
She returns to the same surface second-up, draws much better in barrier 2, and should be strong late.
She has placed in seven of thirteen starts, drops back to maiden grade, and is a proven first-up performer from the inside gate. The main negatives are the long absence and Emma Ly's cold recent form.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Deeply | 5 | Pierre Boudvillain | G P Vella | 55.5kg | $2.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Rose Diamond | 1 | Emma Ly | Matthew Kelley | 55.5kg | $13.00 |
| 3rd | 5 | Avalon Lady | 2 | Molly Bourke | T J Wilson | 55.5kg | $5.00 |
| 4th | 1 | Onosato | 4 | Glenn Cahill | K Dryden & L Snowden | 57kg | $21.00 |
| 5th | 7 | Hey Bluey | 9 | Carly Frater | N J Osborne | 55kg | $26.00 |
| 6th | 3 | Thirsty For More | 3 | Jordan Quince | B Joseph & P & M Jones | 56kg | $13.00 |
| 7th | 2 | Son Of Rubick | 7 | Brodie Loy | Danielle Seib | 59kg | $4.60 |
| 8th | 8 | Justwatchher | 6 | Sairyn Fawke | Todd Smart | 55kg | $13.00 |
| Scr | 9 | Rosary Sister | 8 | Anthony Warren | 55kg |
Three Wishes is the most reliable form reference in this maiden. She has placed in three of four starts, highlighted by a close second over this exact track and distance on 24 July. Blinkers go on for the first time and should sharpen a mare who already races consistently.
However, he must overcome an outside barrier and prove his racecraft on debut.
Monte Shell has shown enough in two provincial maidens to suggest she is close to a breakthrough.
The 194-day break is a concern, but she has demonstrated enough early speed and ability to hold a forward position, which is vital at Canberra Acton.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11 | Xceptional Spirit | 5 | Emma Ly | Matthew Kelley | 53kg | $10.00 |
| 2nd | 8 | Three Wishes | 8 | Shaun Guymer | J M Austin | 57kg | $4.40 |
| 3rd | 4 | Nothing Special | 6 | Damon Budler | Rob Potter | 59kg | $6.00 |
| 4th | 3 | No Remorse | 11 | Brodie Loy | Bjorn Baker | 59kg | $2.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Courage'n'power | 1 | Simone Thompson | 57kg | $9.50 | |
| 6th | 7 | Shes Xee | 4 | Dale Cole | Haylee Day | 55kg | $15.00 |
| 7th | 6 | Kitty Jinks | 9 | Jess Taylor | J M Austin | 57kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 2 | Loui Long Legs | 10 | Carly Frater | N J Osborne | 59kg | $71.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Eighteen Months | 2 | Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen | J Rolfe | 57kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Boann | 7 | Anthony Warren | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Monte Shell | 3 | Grant Buckley | R & L Price | 55kg |
Sunburnt Country appeals as the most likely winner. He has already won over 1900m at Canberra Acton, boasts a 4:2-1-1 synthetic record and maps perfectly from barrier 1 in a race that should be run at a moderate tempo. Damon Budler is an excellent track rider and has a strong record on this horse. His last-start third behind Bombelleistic and Remadosi is solid form for this longer trip, and the gear change suggests he can settle even better.
Bombelleistic is the obvious danger after winning over 1750m at Canberra Acton last start. He is two-from-two at this track and has excelled on synthetic, defeating Remadosi and Sunburnt Country on August 7. The query is the extra 150m and a new rider, but his previous placing over 2000m and competitive weight make him a strong chance. From barrier 2 he can settle just behind the speed and produce a bold showing.
Remadosi has placed in her last two starts on this surface, including a narrow second to Bombelleistic over 1750m. She has a strong place profile at Canberra Acton and is a stablemate of Bombelleistic, indicating the yard is in form. She looks the safest third pick.
He has won over 1900m and boasts a solid record on this synthetic track, including a win and a second here in recent starts.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Sunburnt Country | 1 | Damon Budler | Natalie Jarvis | 55kg | $4.00 |
| 2nd | 5 | Tip Top Timing | 9 | Deanne Panya | C E Conners | 55.5kg | $18.00 |
| 3rd | 4 | Marsabit | 4 | Pierre Boudvillain | D A Williams | 55.5kg | $4.20 |
| 4th | 3 | Sunsource | 7 | Adam Farragher | Robert Quinn | 56kg | $15.00 |
| 5th | 6 | Remadosi | 6 | Quayde Krogh | B Joseph & P & M Jones | 55kg | $6.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Bombelleistic | 2 | Jean Van Overmeire | B Joseph & P & M Jones | 57kg | $4.40 |
| 7th | 1 | County Kilkenny | 5 | Dale Cole | T P Donnelly | 59.5kg | $5.50 |
| 8th | 9 | Dream Inherit | 10 | Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen | Becky Byrne | 53kg | $31.00 |
| 9th | 10 | Tillman | 8 | Shaun Guymer | Greg Stephens | 55kg | $81.00 |
| Scr | 7 | Mr Tadashi | 3 | Jeff Penza | Doug Gorrel | 55kg |
Atmospheric Rock brings the strongest current form into this Open sprint: a BM82 win at Forbes followed by a close second and a third at Canberra Acton in the key July 8 formline. He maps midfield with cover, drops to a light 55.5kg, and has a proven 1206m record. The Cole combination is 2-from-3 and the horse is on a genuine upward trend, making him the most reliable winning chance in the field.
He finished second in the July 8 formline, has a strong 1206m record, and the Budler-Potter combination is a significant positive. However, he remains winless on synthetic and was well held last start at Canterbury.
From barrier 1 he can control a moderate tempo, but the 62.5kg impost and two flat runs since that win are genuine concerns.
Craving Magic is the value runner with a strong Canberra Acton profile and the services of in-form jockey Brodie Loy. He has placed in three of his last four starts on the track and races consistently around this class.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Who But Roo | 1 | Deon Le Roux | Becky Byrne | 62.5kg | $7.50 |
| 2nd | 9 | Stupendo | 10 | Coriah Keatings | Matthew Kelley | 55kg | $18.00 |
| 3rd | 3 | Atmospheric Rock | 8 | Dale Cole | D A Williams | 55.5kg | $5.00 |
| 4th | 4 | Ravalli | 4 | Damon Budler | Rob Potter | 57.5kg | $3.70 |
| 5th | 2 | Craving Magic | 5 | Brodie Loy | Rob Potter | 59kg | $9.50 |
| 6th | 10 | Champions League | 3 | Glenn Cahill | A D Bourke | 53kg | $101.00 |
| 7th | 6 | Master Of Disguise | 2 | Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen | Danielle Seib | 53.5kg | $7.50 |
| 8th | 8 | Lambay | 6 | Jean Van Overmeire | B Joseph & P & M Jones | 55kg | $4.20 |
| 9th | 5 | Hellinda | 7 | Pierre Boudvillain | Danielle Seib | 56kg | $11.00 |
| 10th | 7 | Helluva Soiree | 9 | Erin Ellison | Luke Pepper | 51kg | $101.00 |
Must Be Sain is the strongest winning chance on form. He is a proven synthetic performer with a win over this exact 1080m at Canberra Acton, and he returned a sharp second here in Class 2 on Aug 7, only 13 days ago. That race fitness, combined with a strong track and distance record, outweighs the wider gate.
His July third at this track over 1280m shows he handles the surface, but his record over 1080m and on synthetic is winless and he has not won since December.
Parthenope has obvious talent, winning her only two starts and showing a clear pattern of producing her best when fresh. The negatives are equally clear: a 366-day break, no experience on synthetic or over 1080m, a wide draw and a jockey who is yet to strike in 20 rides.
From barrier 2 she should find the lead or sit right on it in a moderate tempo, and at Canberra Acton a horse controlling the race from the front is dangerous. She has been competitive in BM66 grade and has placed in five of ten starts.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Super Infinity | 10 | Carly Frater | T P Donnelly | 57kg | $7.50 |
| 2nd | 1 | Famoso | 7 | Damon Budler | Rob Potter | 59kg | $2.45 |
| 3rd | 10 | Calais Bliss | 2 | Shaun Guymer | Maddison Collins | 55kg | $12.00 |
| 4th | 2 | Must Be Sain | 9 | Brodie Loy | Natalie Jarvis | 59kg | $5.50 |
| 5th | 4 | Whiskey George | 8 | Deanne Panya | B K Cross | 59kg | $91.00 |
| 6th | 9 | Azzucca | 6 | Sairyn Fawke | G P Vella | 55kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 3 | Tarpaulin | 1 | Coriah Keatings | Matthew Kelley | 59kg | $3.10 |
| 8th | 5 | Bon Elton | 4 | Jeff Penza | G M Brown | 57kg | $51.00 |
| 9th | 7 | She'sadare | 5 | Dale Cole | M D Kelley | 55kg | $101.00 |
| 10th | 11 | Dancing Mumma | 3 | Jordan Quince | B Joseph & P & M Jones | 53kg | $31.00 |
| 11th | 12 | Mystic Air | 11 | Jess Taylor | J M Austin | 55kg | $51.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Parthenope | 12 | Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen | Danielle Seib | 55kg |
Before the races, not after
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