It was the third consecutive Bega Cup win for Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones and their four-year-old Manderboss looks set to continue his wonderful form in Friday's $150,000 Affinity Electrical Technologies Canberra Mile (1600m).
The son of Vadamos(FR) has been a picture of consistency this preparation with four top 4 finishes in City grade before his impressive win in the Bega Cup. While Trainer Paul Jones admits this assignment is tougher, he is rapt with Manderboss' condition heading into Friday's feature.
"Look, a few of these bring Listed form into this race so it's probably a little stronger than those City races but with how the race sets up, I think he's a great chance." Jones said.
"Gai's (Waterhouse) For Valour has got in well in the weights being even with us and should sit on a hot speed with Mark Newnham's Mission Phoenix and even Love Tap (Richard & Will Freedman) going forward."
"If they overdo it, we know one thing for sure, our bloke will be finishing off well."
It will be around a month between runs for Manderboss who boasts over $200,000 in prize money.
"We gave him a short break out at Mane Lodge for three or four days before bringing him back in." Jones said. "He's had a number of gallops since then and will be ready to go here."
Manderboss looks the most likely local candidate to knock over what is a strong Sydney brigade. Richard Freedman will be looking for his third Canberra Mile victory in what is just the fourth edition of the race, this time in partnership with his son Will.
The Freedman's Love Tap enters the contest third-up after a third placing behind the in-form Banju and Group 1 winner No Compromise in the Drinkwise Mile (1600m) on the 4th of February.
Love Tap, an eye-catching grey, gave winner Banju 4.5kg that day and will be right in the market for the 2023 Affinity Electrical Technologies Canberra Mile.
A race later, in the TAB Federal National Sprint Preview (1200m), team Joseph Jones are represented by Snake Gully Cup (1400m) winner Super Helpful who returns after a great last preparation. Jones thinks his son of Super One will be very hard to beat.
"I think he'd have to be pretty short." Jones said of Super Helpful's chances on Friday. "He is entered in Sydney as well but he's drawn really poorly there so it's very likely he will go around on his home track of Thoroughbred Park."
In the ETS Refrigeration Black Opal Preview (1000m), Norm Gardner will be hoping his smart filly Miss Belgium can remain eligible for the $100,000 Aquis Farm Canberra Speed Series bonus after winning the inaugural Clan O'Sullivan (1000m) back in December.
To secure the bonus, the daughter of Capitalist needs to win this Friday's Black Opal Preview as well as the Group 3 John McGrath Auto Black Opal Stakes (1200m) on Sunday, 12 March.
Miss Belgium is joined by a strong local contingent with Gratz Vella's Chop The Ice impressing in both of his race day appearances to date. Todd Smart's debutant Love Shuck has shown that he has speed to burn in his trial outings and may be the surprise packet.
In what is a high-quality affair, the Black Opal Preview has attracted a full field of 14 plus two emergencies with a number of leading Sydney stables including Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, Michael Freedman, Annabel Neasham and Bjorn Baker represented.
Four races on Friday's meeting hold ballot exemptions for the first two past the post into headline races across the Canberra Racing Carnival.
