3 minute read
Canberra galloper Unanimously should prove hard to run down in tonight's Listed Canterbury BMW Classic (race 5).
The gelding, from the Mathew Dale yard, has a super honest record and can bring up his first stakes win in tonight's 1100m Listed sprint.
Last campaign he raced six times for a win and four minors, the only unplaced run being in the Listed Creswick Stakes at Flemington where he was on the wrong side of the straight course so ran well for a close up eighth.
He went to Melbourne on the back of an easy Canterbury Park win and after returning from down south placed at his next three – all over 1100m at Rosehill.
After a good break he resumed over 100m at Rosehill and settled midfield, turning there, before running on well for a 1.6 length fourth behind Recorrido in a good form race.
Last start, over 1100m here, he had the blinkers on and went keenly in third place early so was allowed to stride forward.
He turned in front and kicked strongly, finishing a half length third behind Tiger Tees and Dystopia.
That pair have since fought out the finish again in town.
Unanimously has been kept fresh for this and comes here to this tougher race with 2.5kg less.
He has a good record at the track and trip, is suited by the small field and has drawn ideally in barrier four.
Tommy Berry has ridden the gelding once and was beaten a nose and gets the chance to go one better tonight.
The favourite for the race and deservedly so is the Joe Pride trained News Alert.
The talented sprinter is fitter for two runs from a spell and comes into the race on the back of a last start win in similar grade.
He resumed this time in at his first start for the new yard with a fast finishing fifth here in welter company on heavy ground.
It's hardly his preferred surface but he wasn't beaten too far.
Back on top of the ground in the Listed Razor Sharp Quality over 1200m at Warwick Farm he was able to settle a little closer.
Turning fifth he knuckled down strongly in the straight and came home hard out wide, grabbing a last stride win over Rarefied.
With a month between runs he has since been given a soft trial, finishing fifth over 858m on the Kensington track.
The gelding has a top record at the track and distance, with three wins and three minors from eight starts at the course.
That includes a win in this race two years ago when trained by Con Karakatsanis and ridden by Hugh Bowman.
Bowman is aboard again tonight and despite the big weight he should prove hard to hold out.
Pride also has Phenomenal Lass engaged in the race who looks a solid chance.
The honest mare has yet to win in this class but has run some good stakes races.
With the minimum weight and a good gate she should give a big sight on the speed at odds.
The knockout runner could be Mrs Onassis, who is stepping out of restricted grade but will be charging home over the top.
The Gerald Ryan trained mare has won four of five runs this time in, the latest over 1100m at Rosehill where she ran on well to score a narrow win.
Tonight the mare has the minimum weight and on her unbeaten record at the track and distance, and with her preferred firm ground, she should be charging home late.
