3 minute read

Scratchings have decimated the meeting at Canterbury Park today but it does look to have given Merchandise the chance to break through in the Hyland Racing Colours Handicap (race 6).

The heavy conditions have resulted in 34 scratchings and Merchandise's race is left with just five runners.

A heat of the Rising Star series and a Benchmark 70 over 1900m, the race and small field will suit Merchandise who likes to bowl along in front.

Prepared by Chris Waller and another of his imported gallopers, the Beat Hollow gelding made his debut in France just over 12 months ago over 2200m and finished seventh.

He returned six months later over 2010m and scored his maiden success before being sold to Waller's stable clients.

After another good spell and a few trials he made his Australian debut as a gelding over a mile at Kembla Grange.

There he raced just off the pace and was there throughout but was one paced in the run home and finished seventh.

He then stepped up to 1850m at Newcastle in a Benchmark 60 where he had 58kg.

Striding to the front, he tried to lead throughout but just failed when a neck second behind Rembetica.

Today he tackles a tougher grade although the scratchings have certainly weakened the line-up.

But he does drop 6kg after the claim for Jason Collet and he looks the only leader in the race.

On his slow track run last time, and the fact he's fitter and has the light weight, suggests he'll head to the front again here and take running down.

The Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones-trained Ultimate Gaze is flying this campaign and is another with a light weight.

The gelding was runner-up over 1180m at Gundagai fresh-up before stepping up to 1400m and running away with an easy 2.8 length win at Canberra to take his maiden.

He then stepped up to a mile at Wagga and went back from a wide gate but powered home to score another win.

Jumping from a Class 1 to a Class 3 next he again proved too good, scoring with 59kg at Queanbeyan.

Last start, heading to town over 1900m here, he drew an outside gate and covered ground throughout before running on well for a 1.7 length third behind Altonio.

Today the gelding drops 2.5kg on the win to just 51kg and has been in sparkling form.

He seemed to get through the slow okay last time after a tough run but he has raced twice on heavy ground in his first campaign and was well held at each.

The David Payne-trained Dream Supreme looks the other main player.

The three-year-old takes on older horses but also has a light weight after the claim for Chad Schofield.

He was a 1400m winner on the Kensington track two back then was solid finding the line over 1500m last time at Rosehill.

This is easier and he should be getting home strongly.

Mazzini has solid heavy track form and can sit handy so is worth including in the multiples.