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.

Advertisement
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...
Shares in Group One Stars Highlight MM Digital Sale
Shares in three Group winning stars with major Summer and Autumn Carnival targets headline the catalogue for the latest Magic Millions Digital Sale which is now open for bidding.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 WATC Northerly Stakes
With the end of 2025 fast approaching it’s time to turn our attention to the final G1 race of the Australian racing year, and the last of the “big three” at the Ascot Pinnacles carnival - so who can win? 
Saving Baby Ryan
An orphaned foal bred in Victoria faced an uphill battle when he arrived at Larneuk Stud in the spring of 2021 and four years on he is now a winner!
D’Argento Filly Wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus
Stakes-placed at two and fourth in the Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes to Tempted, it seems amazing that D’Argento filly Sequista was not a winner until Thursday, but she picked a good day to break the ice claiming a $100,000 Inglis Xtra bonus for her Gosford victory.
Headline Acts at a Bigger 2026 Inglis Easter
Countless headline acts are scheduled to take their place at next year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, for which the catalogue is nearing its final stages of completion.
Chaldean Foals Popular at Tattersalls December
The first Northern Hemisphere bred foals by Cambridge Stud shuttler Chaldean (GB) were in keen demand at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale with a cracking filly leading the way when she changed hands for 240,000gns.
One To Watch - Randwick-Kensignton
Primed to make his debut off the back of six barrier trials, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Flying Artie colt Lancelot Du Lac impressed onlookers at his first race start, with the half-brother to Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot pulling clear to score by just shy of two and a half lengths.
Sires With Winners - Thursday December 4
Here is the full list of 34 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Quality Tasmanian Yearling Catalogue Now Online
The auction renowned for producing world class racehorses at value prices is ready to do it all again following today's online release of the 2026 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale catalogue.
From Kingston Town to Northerly - A Race Named for Champions
With the end of 2025 fast approaching it’s time to turn our attention to the final G1 race of the Australian racing year, and the last of the “big three” at the Ascot Pinnacles carnival - It is of course, the $1.5 million Northerly Stakes run over 1800m at WFA, and this year marks its 50th running.