Canberra Guineas – 2024

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

Following the early scratchings of Zondee and Gundy Guy there are 12 runners remaining for the 2024 Tooheys Canberra Guineas. There are 2 colts, 8 geldings and 2 fillies and they all came via different races. Two runners are sired by Zoustar and two by Trapeze Artist. Annabel Neasham  and Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott both have 2 runners.

The early favourite is Thunderlips who has won his last 2 races  at Warwick Farm and Randwick. Second favourite is Side Show who has a win and 3 places from 4 starts this preparation. Third favourite is Xidaki who broke his maiden at Kensington last start after placing at all 4 of his previous starts. Port Lockroy resumes from a 19 week break and has had a couple of trials, while Tumbling has 2 wins from his 4 starts. The other runners are currently $14 or longer.

1. Thunderlips (9)

This Zoustar gelding has won his last 2 races at Warwick Farm and Randwick and looks capable of winning this.

2. Gold Bullion (4)

Resumes from an 18 week spell after running 12th in the Group 1 Victoria Derby over 2500m on 4th November. He has 2 wins and 2 places from his 6 starts and his breeding suggests he will be a stayer. Place chance.

3. Xidaki (6)

Broke his maiden over 1400m at Kensington last start after placing at all 4 of his previous starts. Trainers Peter & Paul Snowden won this race with Assimilate in 2018, while Peter Snowden trained Complicate to win in 2013. One of the main chances.

4. Port Lockroy (14)

This Better Than Ready colt resumes from a 19 week break and has had a couple of trials. He is one of 2 runners for Annabel Neasham (the other is Mickey’s Medal). She trained 2021 winner Equation. In the mix.

5. Tumbling (2)

He has 2 wins from his 4 starts. Ran 4 length 7th over 1400m at Kensington last start where he reared at the start and got well back because of that. Nicely drawn and should improve on his last run.

6. Zondee (13)  – scratched

7. Canny Hell (5)

He’s had 3 starts at Albury this preparation for 2 good wins then ran 3.5 lengths 7th at his latest start when stepping up to 1400m for the first time where he led most of the race then faded late.  Not the worst.

8. Navy Blood (12)

Has 2 wins (at Newcastle and Gosford) from his 6  starts. Ran 7th at Canterbury last start after being disappointed for a run in the straight. Drawn wide and prefer others.

9. Side Show (10)

Has a win and 3 places from 4 starts this preparation and looks nicely placed here with Tommy Berry riding again. Trainers Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou won this race with Flying Crazy in 2022.

10. Mickey’s Medal (3)

Returned from an 18 week spell for 0.5 length 2nd over 1350m at Wyong on 22nd February. Was held up and raced tight. Place chance.

11. Everido (8)

One of only two Canberra-trained horses in the race (the other is Straight Fire). He has 2 wins and 2 places from his 4 starts and both wins were on this track. Will do his best.

12. Gundy Guy (11)  – scratched

13. Miss Amore (7)

This Pierro filly from the Waterhouse-Bott stable has had one start for one win. She dashed away for a 3.5 length win over 1200m at Newcastle on 26th February and did it easily. Could be anything. Watch the market.

14. Straight Fire (1)

Won at at Wagga at her 2nd start after placing at Nowra on debut. Will find this a lot harder.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips
1 Thunderlips
9 Side Show
3 Xidaki
13 Miss Amore

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	3 Xidaki
2nd	4 Port Lockroy	0.14 length
3rd	1 Thunderlips	0.41 length
4th	8 Navy Blood	0.8 length

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratchings: 6. Zondee, 9. Side Show, 12. Gundy Guy, 14. Straight Fire.