Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Australian Capital Territory · Friday 9 October 2026
Our top pick won 3 of 8 races at Canberra. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Turf Luck is the quickest away and should get the ideal run on or near the lead from barrier 6, at a track where being up on the speed counts most. His Goulburn maiden placings were better than anything his older, exposed rivals have shown in recent BM50s.
He was beaten a nose in this grade here last time after being held up, and he drops back from a BM66. The concern is how he races: he gets back and needs room in the straight, and Canberra sprints with a moderate pace don't suit that. His soft-track record is also weak. Back him for a place rather than the win.
Soho Sushi is the best-mapped of the honest BM50 types. She should get a cover run from barrier 2 just behind Into The Fire and Turf Luck, and her last two runs over this course and distance in this grade, including one on soft, put her right in the finish. Back her each-way.
Prophet Time ran poorly last start from barrier 10, but the draw explains a lot of it. She now comes back to barrier 1 with Boudvillain, who has won on her twice. Her third in a stronger BM60 here earlier in the month is good enough to place in this race.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Turf Luck | 6 | Alysha Collett | Blake Ryan | 61kg | $2.35 |
| 2nd | 6 | Soho Sushi | 2 | Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen | Garry Kirkup | 56.5kg | $11.00 |
| 3rd | 2 | Capital Babe | 3 | Glenn Cahill | K Dryden and L Snowden | 58kg | $2.90 |
| 4th | 4 | Prophet Time | 1 | Pierre Boudvillain | Gratz Vella | 59kg | $6.50 |
| 5th | 5 | Into The Fire | 4 | Dale Cole | Scott Jamieson | 56.5kg | $20.00 |
| 6th | 3 | Vainstream | 7 | Sairyn Fawke | Todd Smart | 59.5kg | $7.50 |
| 7th | 7 | Papaver Miner | 5 | Deep Shanker | Jack Van Duren | 55kg | $51.00 |
The Wildling is the form horse of the race. Her Goulburn second was run to a winning standard and is the best effort by anything in this field. She has early speed and should settle just off or alongside Successful Impact, which suits a leader-friendly Canberra Maiden. Dropping back from 1400m to 1300m should help her, given she fought on only fairly last start.
Successful Impact should lead from barrier 3 at a track where leaders have a strong record, and a moderate tempo gives her every chance to stay in front. She sat on the pace on a heavy track first time out before tiring, and fitness from that run and two trials should help.
Roy Kelton is consistent and handled a heavy track at Wagga well. He should be fitter second up from barrier 4. His habit of settling back and running on late is a concern on a track that favours on-pace runners, and he carries 59kg. He is reliable enough to fill a place behind the two on-pace chances.
His last start was a bad run, and he was found lame afterwards, which goes some way to explaining it. His Goulburn second last spring would make him competitive here. He has drawn barrier 1 and has the speed to sit just behind the leaders. Back him each-way.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Roy Kelton | 4 | Nick Heywood | K Dryden and L Snowden | 59kg | $8.00 |
| 2nd | 7 | Mr Tucci | 2 | Jean Van Overmeire | Richard Litt | 56.5kg | $8.00 |
| 3rd | 9 | The Wildling | 5 | Shaun Guymer | Richard and Will Freedman | 55kg | $2.00 |
| 4th | 2 | Slater's Boy | 1 | Brodie Loy | Luke Pepper | 59kg | $7.00 |
| 5th | 4 | Successful Impact | 3 | Louise Day | Ciaron Maher | 57kg | $3.80 |
| 6th | 3 | Miss Binman | 7 | Pierre Boudvillain | Mark Sues | 57kg | $21.00 |
| 7th | 5 | Thubergal | 6 | Amy McLucas | Tash Burleigh | 57kg | $71.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Too Her Core | 9 | Joseph Ible | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Spalpeen | 8 | John Sargent | 55kg |
He has the best map in the race. From barrier 1 he should lead on his own, and that suits Canberra's on-speed pattern in a 1000m race. He has placed fresh before and has run near a winning standard on a soft track. However, his form faded before the spell, and he has a habit of dropping out late from handy positions. The drop back to 1000m may help him hold on. He is a reasonable place chance, though he is hard to trust for the win.
On form she is the one to beat. Her Goulburn second was the strongest run by anyone in this field, and her Moruya second on Soft 5 after early interference shows she handles today's going. She's racing regularly and is dropping back to a sprint trip she suits. The Budler and Jarvis combination strikes at a strong rate. Barrier 9 is the main concern, but she should settle in the first half of the field behind a lone leader.
She hasn't raced yet, though, and she is untested on a soft track, while Jenni Moo Moo has already run to a winning maiden standard.
One start is a small sample, but her debut at Canberra Acton was close to a winning maiden standard, and she was building late. That puts her near the top of this field on what she has shown. Luke Pepper's stable is in form, and barrier 3 could let Claire Ramsbotham find a spot closer to the lead than predicted.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Absolutist | 5 | Coriah Keatings | Mark Sues | 56.5kg | $26.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Setta Icon | 1 | Quayde Krogh | Anthony Mountney | 56.5kg | $4.20 |
| 3rd | 9 | O'hatasky | 2 | Jean Van Overmeire | K Dryden and L Snowden | 55kg | $6.00 |
| 4th | 6 | Graceful Thinking | 4 | Pierre Boudvillain | Luke Pepper | 55kg | $2.90 |
| 5th | 10 | Rativa | 8 | Louise Day | Gregory Hickman | 55kg | $15.00 |
| 6th | 3 | Barefootinthesnow | 3 | Claire Ramsbotham | Luke Pepper | 56.5kg | $3.40 |
| 7th | 5 | Flex Appeal | 10 | Sairyn Fawke | Todd Smart | 55kg | $16.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Turf Luck | 7 | Blake Ryan | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Jenni Moo Moo | 9 | Natalie Jarvis | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Lady Mariana | 6 | Blaike McDougall | K Dryden and L Snowden | 55kg |
She has early speed to overcome barrier 9 and settle in the first half of the field, where Canberra winners come from. The mile is the main query, but she was strong late over 1400m.
A genuine mile winner last start who has placed in four of five on rain-affected ground. His Canberra and Goulburn runs were solid for this grade. The speed map puts him back in the field, but from barrier 3 he has settled third to seventh in recent starts, and if Heywood keeps him handy he can be right in the finish.
On map she is the best-placed of the leading chances. From barrier 2 she should sit just off the lead, which is the winning spot at Canberra, and the Archibald stable and Mollie Fitzgerald both do well at this track. Her last-start third in a stronger race suits this drop in grade, but she has not run as fast as the top two.
From barrier 1 he should settle midfield with cover and save ground, which is the right spot for Canberra.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Alabama Charm | 9 | Jean Van Overmeire | Gregory Hickman | 57kg | $4.40 |
| 2nd | 3 | Ring Of Fire | 3 | Nick Heywood | K Dryden and L Snowden | 59kg | $5.50 |
| 3rd | 8 | Pure Melody | 4 | Rebecca Bronett Prag | Norm Gardner | 57kg | $5.50 |
| 4th | 4 | Scorched Lane | 10 | Coriah Keatings | Matthew Kelley | 59kg | $11.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Zippy Lion | 1 | Shaun Guymer | Joseph Ible | 59kg | $26.00 |
| 6th | 7 | Kurithea | 2 | Mollie Fitzgerald | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 57kg | $2.70 |
| 7th | 2 | Hard Grunt | 6 | Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen | Gratz Vella | 57kg | $81.00 |
| 8th | 1 | Colorado Sun | 8 | Alysha Collett | K Dryden and L Snowden | 59kg | $11.00 |
| 9th | 9 | Don't Back Down | 7 | Pierre Boudvillain | Gratz Vella | 55kg | $81.00 |
| 10th | 10 | The One | 5 | Adrian Layt | Tash Burleigh | 55kg | $61.00 |
On form, she's the most reliable runner here. She has won three of her last five and ran well at Wagga last start against stronger opposition, which reads well dropping back to this level. The slow tempo and Canberra's on-pace bias should let her sit just off Toussaint and get a soft run. The 2000m is new, but her racing pattern should help her see it out.
He also tends to settle back, which is a negative at Canberra when the race should be run slowly.
His Kembla run over 2000m was better than his seventh suggests, and it shows he handles the trip. He has a soft-track win and drops to 55kg. He tends to improve his position in the middle stages, which should keep him in touch turning for home.
She's a wet-track mare who keeps running competitive races, and her Canberra second on soft ground last month shows she handles the track. She'll need the race to open up from the back, which is a negative here.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Zonkstar | 1 | Pierre Boudvillain | Matthew Smith | 59.5kg | $1.75 |
| 2nd | 3 | Midnight Affair | 6 | Coriah Keatings | Nick Olive | 59kg | $11.00 |
| 3rd | 6 | Meritage | 3 | Mollie Fitzgerald | Bryce Heys | 55.5kg | $6.50 |
| 4th | 5 | That A Boy | 5 | Damon Budler | Paul Facoory | 57kg | $13.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Magic Mountain | 7 | Quayde Krogh | Michael Sparrow | 55kg | $12.00 |
| 6th | 9 | Party It Down | 2 | Amy McLucas | Paul Facoory | 55kg | $18.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Toussaint | 4 | Jean Van Overmeire | John O'Shea and Tom Charlton | 58kg | $8.50 |
| 8th | 1 | Helluva Soiree | 9 | Deon Le Roux | Luke Pepper | 58kg | $31.00 |
| 9th | 7 | Mystic Diva | 8 | Shaun Guymer | Garry Kirkup | 55kg | $21.00 |
The likely leader in a race with little pace, at a track where on-pace runners win most of the races. He won at Goulburn over 1400m on a Soft track carrying 61.5kg, and that run would be competitive here. He now drops to 55kg. His last-start 3rd from the front was solid, and the stable is in strong form. The class rise is the main question, but he should get the best run of the field.
Has the best course form in the race. He was 2nd in an Open over this course and distance in April, which is the best run any of these have produced, and he was beaten half a length at Canberra last month. He then won at Hawkesbury, so he arrives in form. He has settled closer to the lead lately, which is important at Canberra.
A talented mare whose four wins came on Good and Heavy ground. Her last two runs were disappointing, and she is winless from four starts on Soft.
A consistent, fit mare who runs well on soft ground, with 10 placings from 17 starts on Soft. Barrier 1 should give her a trail behind the leaders.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | I've Bean Tryin' | 2 | Alysha Collett | Matthew Kelley | 60.5kg | $5.50 |
| 2nd | 2 | Laurel Hill | 1 | Damon Budler | Rob Potter | 60kg | $11.00 |
| 3rd | 3 | Blow In | 7 | Blaike McDougall | Rob Potter | 59.5kg | $12.00 |
| 4th | 8 | Metallic Ruler | 4 | Dale Cole | Andrew Bourke | 53kg | $71.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Cando Attitude | 8 | Claire Ramsbotham | Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones | 57.5kg | $3.90 |
| 6th | 4 | Good Prize | 5 | Quayde Krogh | Gratz Vella | 59.5kg | $11.00 |
| 7th | 6 | Burgundy Girl | 3 | Jordan Quince | K Dryden and L Snowden | 55kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 7 | King Of Dragons | 6 | Jean Van Overmeire | Matthew Dale | 55kg | $2.15 |
Defiance is the clear standout. He has won his last two starts by big margins, and the times in both would already win this race. That includes a dominant Canberra win on a Soft 7 track, so today's conditions suit. He goes up in class and races at 1300m for the first time. He has the speed to cross from barrier 11 and settle just behind the leaders, which is where winners come from at Canberra.
Kendalia is the most reliable horse in the field for a place. He has run second in each of his last two Class 2 races at Canberra, and both of his runs over this course and distance were placings. He finishes off well, but Canberra favours horses racing up front and he only has one win from 18 starts.
Willingham should lead and set it up from barrier 9 in a race with only moderate speed, which suits Canberra. He only has one win, which is a worry, but he gets the right race shape and Boudvillain rides. He is a good chance to hold on for a place.
She has won 2 of her 3 soft-track starts, gets in light with 55kg and should race on the speed, which is the winning pattern at Canberra. Her best runs would be good enough to win this. She has not raced since January and joins a new stable, but she trialled well here last month.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Defiance | 11 | Brodie Loy | Luke Pepper | 59kg | $1.26 |
| 2nd | 3 | Famoso | 1 | Damon Budler | Rob Potter | 59kg | $9.00 |
| 3rd | 10 | Willingham | 9 | Pierre Boudvillain | Danielle Seib | 57kg | $12.00 |
| 4th | 11 | Classic Touch | 5 | Alysha Collett | Scott Collings | 55kg | $31.00 |
| 5th | 9 | Kendalia | 8 | Louise Day | Matthew Dale | 57kg | $10.00 |
| 6th | 4 | Zoufield | 7 | Glenn Cahill | Andrew Bourke | 57.5kg | $71.00 |
| 7th | 6 | Deeply | 4 | Shaun Guymer | Gratz Vella | 57kg | $51.00 |
| 8th | 1 | Anladio | 3 | Nick Heywood | Allan McRae | 59kg | $101.00 |
| 9th | 7 | I Doubt It | 10 | Amy McLucas | Greg Backhouse | 57kg | $61.00 |
| 10th | 8 | Inchyra | 2 | Quayde Krogh | Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones | 57kg | $26.00 |
| Scr | 5 | Amanoah | 6 | Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones | 57kg |
Canberra rewards horses in the first few at the 400m, and Helluva Teen looks the only real leader here, which should give her an easy run in front from barrier 6 with just 56kg.
The problem is the map. He is likely to settle near the back in a race with one leader and only moderate tempo, at a track where backmarkers struggle. His first-up run was plain and his recent runs have been some way off a winning standard for this grade.
Bombay Boom has the speed and draw to sit just behind the leader, which is where winners come from at Canberra. His Wagga run last start was strong for this grade even though he weakened late. Blinkers going on could help him finish off his races better. The top weight and his habit of fading in the last 200m are the worries, and Helluva Teen finished ahead of him last time while now meeting him even better at the weights.
Wonderful Mistake is a lightly raced 4-year-old whose runs before her spell were as good as anything in this field. She has two placings from three tries over this course and distance, including a fast run on soft from a wide draw, and she goes well fresh.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Brutal Belle | 12 | Brodie Loy | Luke Pepper | 59kg | $5.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Steel Knight | 3 | Mollie Fitzgerald | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 60.5kg | $2.45 |
| 3rd | 3 | Can Expect Greater | 2 | Alysha Collett | Jason Coyle | 60.5kg | $20.00 |
| 4th | 2 | Soul Lady | 8 | Dale Cole | Joe Cleary | 59.5kg | $26.00 |
| 5th | 9 | Helluva Teen | 6 | Glenn Cahill | Neil Osborne | 56kg | $3.70 |
| 6th | 7 | Destructive Diva | 1 | Rebecca Bronett Prag | Norm Gardner | 59kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 11 | Xspiritous | 7 | Jordan Quince | Tash Burleigh | 55kg | $8.50 |
| 8th | 8 | Vella Magic | 4 | Sairyn Fawke | Gratz Vella | 58.5kg | $71.00 |
| 9th | 10 | Wonderful Mistake | 10 | Louise Day | Gratz Vella | 57kg | $12.00 |
| 10th | 5 | Magnardo | 9 | Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen | Georgie Boucher | 58kg | $51.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Bombay Boom | 5 | Matthew Dale | 61.5kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Ballyhoo | 11 | Craig Carmody | 56.5kg |
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