Moruya preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, March 2, 2025

A drop in grade has trainer Paul Murray quietly confident his handy mare Cani Cancan can get back to winning form when she heads to Moruya.

Cani Cancan is well placed to get back to winning form at Moruya. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Paul Murray feels a drop back in grade can help handy mare Cani Cancan return to winning form and book herself a trip to the Albury Carnival later this month.

Cani Cancan is coming of a last place finish but it was in a Benchmark 64 Handicap for mares at Canterbury won by Just Glamourous on February 14.

Prior to that, the four-year-old finished fifth behind Napoleon Solo in the Narooma Cup (1300m), fourth behind Fine Vintage in the Moruya Town Plate (1200m) and fourth behind Ticklebelly in the Bega Sprint (1200m).

Those three races were a Benchmark 83, Benchmark 85 and an Open Sprint respectively.

The daughter of Russian Revolution drops down to a Benchmark 66 Handicap (1010m) when she heads back to Moruya for the Bodalla Town Plate.

Ticklebelly makes it two on the trot for @CollingsRacing! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/pHzxAGzoAD

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 2, 2025

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The last time Cani Cancan raced in this grade, she was a narrow winner from Vella Fox over 1000m at the Sapphire Coast back in December.

“I think she will appreciate dropping back to this grade,” said Murray.

“The only thing is she hasn’t won at Moruya before.

“She has been thereabouts and finishing not too far behind those strong country horses.

“She will appreciate dropping back in grade to a Benchmark 66 and I think coming back to the 1010m will suit her.

“If she can win this weekend, I may set her for the Albury Carnival. There is an Open Handicap over 1175m. That would be right up her alley.”

Murray saddles up two lightly-raced three-year-olds Gooloo Bucky and Luna Lass in the Maiden Plate (1200m) and expects both to make their presence felt.

Gooloo Bucky has been a work in progress but has pleased Murray with his two runs this preparation when third to Cougars at the Sapphire Coast and sixth behind Gone To Cape York at Nowra.

“He had been doing a lot wrong but his last run at Nowra was really good,” he said.

“He did everything nearly 100 per cent right. The 1100m was just a little bit short for him but I was very happy with the way he finished off.

“He has really done well since his last run and I think he should be right in the money. He just needs a little bit of speed on in the race.

From barrier five, he should get a nice sit midfield.”

Showrata puts on a show!

Having his first run for the stable, Showrata, ridden perfectly by Pierre Boudvillain, finished strongly to win the 1000m Maiden Plate at Bega's Sapphire Coast Turf Club today.

It's an awesome result for Mick, the stable, and connections. pic.twitter.com/ybfUZpoQ8K

— Michael Travers Racing (@TraversRacing) February 13, 2025

Luna Lass was safely beaten in her two starts of her first campaign but has come back a stronger filly this preparation according to Murray.

He was pleased with her first-up effort when sixth behind Showrata at the Sapphire Coast on February 13 when beaten less than two lengths.

“I thought she was just a real sprinting horse but I was very happy with the way she found the line,” he said.

“I think she is a filly that is going to get 1400m. She seemed to relax, got home well and kept going through the line.

“Whatever she does this weekend, which I think she should be thereabouts, then I’d like to step her to 1400m next start.”

Another filly Murray said took plenty of physical improvement from a spell after her first one start campaign is Capital Letters.

The daughter of Capitalist was a handy fifth to Il Passero when resuming at Canberra nine days ago.

“Grant (Buckley) thought she was going to run a place at Canberra the other day but she just knocked up the last little bit,” he said.

“Her fitness has improved a lot a from a good draw, she should get a nice and be thereabouts.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 1 No. 2: Malinga Missile

Trialled very well behind a handy one in November. Can start his career on a winning note.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No. 4: Great Week

Scored a smart win over 2000m on a quick back-up last start. Back to 1650m but can win again.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No. 8: Spats Pav Bowie

Has been good in both runs from a spell. At his peak now and will give this a shake.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 4: 3, 5

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 5

Race 5: 3, 4, 6

Race 6: 4, 5, 6, 10

Race 7: 7, 8, 9

Brodie Loy looks set for a good day at Moruya. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Brodie Loy has some nice rides and is a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – MORUYA

RACE 1

Malinga Missile is a debutant by Smart Missile. Showed good speed to lead then handed up before finishing second to Twin Telepathy in his Nov 12 trial at Queanbeyan. Can kick off win a win. Sir Franklin defied his big odds on debut when coming from well back to finish just under a length-and-a-half second to Southern Deel at the Sapphire Coast. Capital Letters resumed with a fair run behind Il Passero on a soft track at Canberra. Trialled handily when third to Able Yellow and Lady Yarrow on a good track at Kembla. Look for further improvement.

Bet: Malinga Missile to win

RACE 2

Lady Yarrow trialled nicely when a closing second at Able Yellow and a third to While She Can at Kembla. Came from a clear last on straightening to be beaten less than a length into fourth behind Showrata over 1000m at the Sapphire Coast on debut. Hard Knock Life was slow away and settled last before working home nicely for fifth behind Ghielmi in a Kembla maiden on debut. Will appreciate the step up in trip. Gooloo Bucky followed a first third to Cougars with a sixth to Gone To Cape York after copping a big bump after straightening.

Bet: Lady Yarrow to win

Lady Yarrow (outside) flashed home for a close fourth to Showrata on debut. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 3

Ideelic has been good since coming from Queensland. Three of his four career placings have come at his last three starts. Was runner-up to Zouwase to starts back then third behind Togoodtobeacad. Prizuga is a first starter Prized Icon. Showed good speed to share the lead and going to the line under hold to win his Queanbeyan trial on Feb 18. Beograd Boy is racing consistently. Was runner-up to Adventure Seeker at Goulburn before a fourth to Remadosi at Nowra.

Bet: Ideelic to win

RACE 4

Cani Cancan was just behind the placegetters in the Narooma Cup and Moruya Town Plate here followed a fourth to Ticklebelly in the Bega Sprint. Outclassed when last to Just Glamourous at Canterbury on Feb 14. Was a narrow winner over this track and distance at her last run in this grade. Pretty Vegas kicked off her campaign with a near four length all-the-way from Crucial Witness over 1200m at Queanbeyan on Feb 18. Has two wins and four placings from seven runs at this trip. Miss Scoop followed two handy runs with a narrow win last start.

Bet: Cani Cancan to win

RACE 5

Great Week raced keenly in front when second to Extravagant Choice at Goulburn on Feb 11 before backing-up a week later over 2000m at Queanbeyan and racing away to a near three length win. Will give another bold sight. Artist has been racing well this campaign with a win and three placings. Came from eight lengths off the leader when third to Good Prize over 1460m at Queanbeyan last start. Is a winner at his only run here. Miss Defy broke her maiden over 1600m at Parkes before a sixth over 2000m at Canberra.

Bet: Great Week to win

Jannik can add another win to his record. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 6

Jannik ran down Hellinda to win at Goulburn two runs back then was badly held up rounding the home when sixth to Super Sprocket at Nowra last weekend. Was a winner here on Jan 6. Crucial Witness didn’t handle the heavy track when fifth in the Braidwood Cup to starts ago. Raced four-wide form the 900m when second to Pretty Begas last start. Look At Moi Kim was disappointing in three runs last campaign but her previous prep was handy including a Wyong win. Trialling well and can run a cheeky race.

Bet: Jannik each-way

RACE 7

Spats Pav Bowie ran a handy fourth to Captain Nay when resuming at Queanbeyan before a third in the Braidwood Cup on an unsuitable heavy track. Back on dry ground and will give this a big shake. Good Prize is racing well with two wins from his last three. Tracked the leader and took an inside run in the straight to beat That A Boy and Artist at Queanbeyan last start. Lethal Lady ran a handy fifth to Cable Express at Goulburn three starts back before a fourth to Almost Persuaded in the Tumut Cup. Broke through for a good win from Taumata at Wagga last start.

Bet: Spats Pav Bowie each-way