3 minute read

Wyong galloper Big Bonanza will appreciate the firmer footing in today's Hastie Services Handicap (race 6) at Canberra.

The gelding, prepared by Don Robb at Wyong, is fitter for two runs from a spell and looks hard to beat in this Benchmark 80 over 1200m.

A lightly raced son of Stratum, Big Bonanza has a good winning strike rate of six wins form 15 starts, along with a couple of minors.

And although he boasts a win on slow ground in town and heavy at the provincials, his good to dead track form is better still.

After finishing third fresh up at Wagga last campaign he won a Benchmark 65 on heavy ground at Newcastle with ease, then took that good form to town to win a Benchmark 78 on a slow track at Rosehill.

He was then sixth on a heavy track at Rosehill before finishing fifth there on slow ground before a spell.

This time in, he returned to Rosehill to kick off on dead ground over 1100m but bombed the start and raced wide, finishing a 3.5 length sixth in the end in what was a better run that it looked.

He then race din heavy ground at Canterbury Park and again didn't have a lot go right over the 1350m journey, finishing fifth and beaten 6.5 lengths.

He will find this company easier and will appreciate the dead track here.

He drops in weight, has drawn well, is a third up winner and has an excellent record at the trip so there are some good positives for today's run.

The Keith Dryden trained Eye Of The Needle is racing well and looks the biggest danger despite the rise in grade.

The gelding had little go right early in his campaign before running a much improved race two starts back over 1200m at Cowra when sitting just off the pace and working home well to just miss.

Last start, in a Benchmark 72 at Parkes, he took up the running over the 1200m journey and led throughout for a comfortable win.

The trip suits and he has a great record on his home track and the journey.

The gelding rises in grade today but does drop 2.5kg on the last start win and despite an awkward gate will take running down again.

Wagga galloper Lockmar is worth another chance as he drops in grade for today's race.

The well seasoned seven year old has been in sparkling form this campaign, winning here in a Benchmark 70 second up before claiming back to back wins over 1400m and 1600m at Wagga.

Last start, in far tougher grade over 1500m at Rosehill, he sat midfield in the small field and held his position to the line when a 2.9 length fourth behind Alma's Fury.

The gelding has been freshened for today's race as he drops back in journey and rises sharply in the weights as he drops back in grade.

He has won his only try at the track and trip and will be storming home late.

General Jay Dee, another local from the Dryden stable, has claims again after scoring a Benchmark 75 win here last time, while One More Grand has a good record at the track and trip and with the light weight and good draw should give a big sight in this tougher class.