Canterbury preview: Matthew Dale’s calculated approach with track specialist No Drama to pay dividends

Trainer Matthew Dale has strategically waited for this meeting to unleash proven track performers No Drama and Ringarosa.

No Drama is looking to add another Canterbury win to his record. Picture: Bradley Photos

The old saying ‘horses for courses’ holds firmly for Goulburn trainer Matthew Dale, which is why he has patiently waited for Wednesday’s meeting at Canterbury.

Dale’s five-year-old gelding No Drama has shown a real love for the circuit with two wins and a close second from three starts.

His first win at Canterbury came July last year at just his second start for Dale while his other win and second placings came in his last three starts.

He led all-the-way to beat Naval Commission over 15050m on April 30 and was just caught late by Nana’s Wish over the same distance on June 18.

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“He’s got a real liking for those sort of rolling, tight-turning tracks. He seems very suited to them,” Dale said.

“He’s got a good record at Canterbury and he’s also won at Moonee Valley as well.

“He nearly pinched it at Canterbury last start and the horse who beat him, has come out and won again since so the form if very solid.”

👏 No dramas if you're on No Drama, as he races away to win easily at Canterbury!@clarkyhk | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/FSr2P8IFvC

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 30, 2025

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The son of Ghibellines can add to that record in the All Too Hard @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1550m) despite his top weight of 62.5kg.

“We have targeted these races with him but with his benchmark, he is just up in the weights a bit,” Dale said.

“He has ticked over well and stayed nice and sharp with a number of weeks between runs waiting for this race.”

Dale was happy with Ringarosa when fourth to Romeo’s Choice over 1000m at Warwick Farm on July 2 at her first run in nearly eight months and first for the stable.

No tragedy here!

Romeo’s Choice wins first-up, as class tells the tale. 🙌@littracing@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/rRS9jRgm08

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 2, 2025

“I thought she would be well placed first-up and she ran accordingly,” he said.

“It was a funny day. It was a Heavy 10 and usually they come down the outside at Warwick Farm but they were coming up the rail and through the ruck that day.

“The form out of her race has obviously stood up too with Romeo’s Choice winning again at Rosehill on Saturday.”

Ringarosa was an acceptor in two races but Dale has elected for the Benchmark 64 Broadsiding @Darley Handicap (1250m) where she has drawn barrier 3.

The six-year-old daughter of Sebring hasn’t won for over two years but she is a winner over this track and distance.

“She has won at Canterbury and I think the step up in trip looks suitable.”