3 minute read
Lightly raced mare Natch Catch can return to winning form in today's final race at Canberra – the Winning Edge Presentations Handicap (race 7).
The mare, prepared by Nick Olive on the course, has been racing in tougher grade lately and will appreciate dropping back to this Benchmark 65 on her home track.
Fresh up she raced here in this grade over 1200m and after getting back ran on nicely to finish runner up.
Next was a 1400m Benchmark 55 here but she had a big weight and a wide gate to overcome. Rolling forward, the early effort told and she faded to finish sixth.
Up to a Benchmark 65 again but from a slightly better gate, she settled midfield and worked to the line strongly to just miss, edged out on the line by Moorings Royal.
Olive then sent the mare to town for a 1250m provincial race where she drew wide again and settled midfield but worked home strongly to finish third.
Last start, in a similar race over 1400m, she yet again drew an outside gate and settled midfield and again worked to the line steadily, finishing a 2.6 length seventh.
Today the mare returns home for easier class and has drawn a little better in barrier eight.
Natch Catch has placed two of three at home and the trip suits.
With an even run in transit she looks hard to hold out today.
To Dubawi Go was well held in town last time but is worth another chance here.
The mare, prepared by Neil Osborne was racing in town over further last campaign but looks well placed here on her fresh up win.
That was over 1400m at Goulburn in a Class 3 where she drew wide, raced on the speed and fought on doggedly for a head win.
Straight to a mile at Warwick Farm, she drifted back on the inside and after turning there just didn't come on, finishing eighth.
The mare will appreciate the drop in grade today and returning to her home course where she has won.
She has drawn well and will be camped off the pace over this journey but should be getting home hard.
Another local galloper Poetic Justice is racing well and gets the chance to prove himself over a slightly longer journey today.
The gelding was second up here in a Benchmark 55 and after getting back hit the line well to score.
Last start, in a Benchmark 60, he drew the inside and was shuffled back before finding the line well again, this time finishing third.
The gelding has yet to win beyond 1300m but at his top now gets the chance this time from a good gate.
Al Ahmar had little luck at Kembla Grange last time, in the same race that Natch Catch finished seventh.
Al Ahmar is fitter for two runs back, suited at the tip and wouldn't shock to see improve sharply back at home.