AU - Canberra - Race 1

SANTOLINI (6) earns top billing after coming from well back to beat Iconic Rose by just over a length at Wagga Riverside last start. The Nowra run prior in BM58 grade was better than fifth reads, as she began slowly and still picked up late, and this assignment looks well within her range on current form. SHOWTIME MAGGIE (3) is the main danger if she rebounds from a plain BM58 tenth at Moruya, because her previous win at this track was strong and her two wins from four starts at this track and distance are hard to ignore. MERCHANT REIGN (1) resumes from three months off with genuine claims, having won at Canberra Acton two starts ago before a wide, interrupted run when second last there before the break. SLAY QUEEN (7) has been racing in tougher company her past couple and should find this much easier. Can run an improved race third-up into the campaign. THE GLEN (5) won't be far away.