Greg Polson previews Canberra Acton Friday August 25

Greg Polson - Friday August 25

"When you are on a good thing stick to it" is a well-known saying and it is apt for a winning way we have discovered on the Canberra Acton track.

Advertisement
Photo: Thoroughbred Park

In our article for the last meeting at the Canberra Acton circuit we highlighted the 1750m races and showed how two simple factors led to a decent profit over time – see the full story here.

Two horses were highlighted from the two races over the journey on the day with Almost Court winning easily and Megawatt finishing second.

The two factors were horses jumping from barriers 1 to 4 and must have finished in the first four at their latest outing with the winning way producing a winning strike rate of 62.5 percent and a profit on turnover of 15.1 percent.

I should point out we are dealing with limited data on the Canberra Acton surface but like all the statistics I provide in these articles they are only a starting point – qualifying horses might have the statistics on their side but they still need the ability to win at the distance and grade on the day.

The Luke Pepper-trained Megawatt qualifies in the Pacific Stone Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1750m) and I should say I originally steered away from the horse.

Winning strike rates are one of the central planks of my form analysis and one win from 24-starts would normally be a huge red flag but I decided to dig deeper and my confidence grew enormously.

Friday's 1750m race is a class one and maiden plate.

There are only three horses that have won a race from the 12 acceptors so by definition there are nine maiden gallopers.

The maidens have raced on 65 occasions for just eight placings and although there are a couple in the race that look capable of winning races including the Matthew Dale-trained Clear Sailing each are going to a middle distance for the first time.

Megawatt is clearly the best performed horse in the race and has finished runner-up in two of her three runs this time in.

Megawatt should be right at her peak having her fourth run back from a spell and despite the red flags looks close to a good thing.

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.