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.

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...
Time For War's Straight Loving It'sourtime Bags Standish
Seven year-old Time For War gelding It'sourtime bagged his fourth stakes victory in Saturday’s Group III Standish Handicap (1200m), continuing his love affair with the Flemington straight course.
Derby Dreaming for So You Think 3YO
A $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from Mill Park by Busuttin Racing/Andrew Campbell, So You Think three year-old Thedoctoroflove has been handled quietly to date, but the gloves are set to come off in 2025 with Derby dreaming on the horizon.
Black Type Next - Zousain Filly La Roux Goes Two for Two
Astute trainer Phillip Stokes has a smart juvenile in the stable in fleet footed Zousain filly La Roux, who won easily on debut at Morphettville on Boxing Day and backed it up with another easy victory as a short priced favourite at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday January 11
Here is the full list of 83 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Invader's Amosu WIns MM The Debut for Liam Birchley
Connections of Amosu turned a $60,000 investment into a $305,000 payday less than 12 months later when the pint-sized filly scored a last-stride win in the Magic Millions The Debut Plate (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Spritely Sweynesse 7YO Wins Kuma Gold Nuggets
Promising apprentice Donovan Cooper made good use of his 2kg claim as he guided the Christchurch-trained Treybon to a clear cut victory in Saturday’s Vernon & Vazey 0800 Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m).
G3 Winner on Comeback Trail
Talented Kiwi-bred galloper Grand Impact was back in the winner’s circle after an all-the-way victory in the Domeland Benchmark 100 Handicap (1350m) at the Wyong standalone meeting on Saturday.
First Australian Winner for Bivouac – More to Come
Darley homebred first season sire Bivouac sired his first winner in New Zealand last month in Group winning filly Inttention and has now broken the ice in Australia with the speedy filly Luana Miss making a winning debut at Ascot on Saturday.
35th G1 Winner for Savabeel - Provence wins Thorndon Mile
A coming-of-age performance by Provence in the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) capped a feature treble at Trentham on Saturday for leading jockey Sam Spratt.
Savabeel Colt Brilliant in G2 Levin Classic
Class three-year-old Savaglee stepped out for the first time since his devastating victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November and absolutely destroyed a small but handy field in Saturday’s Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) at Trentham.