3 minute read
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a heavy track.
Race 1 – 12.50PM ADMIRE MARS AT ARROWFIELD HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
6. Larkspur Run resumes after breaking through at start three at Newcastle in February. Chased home a smart one here prior to that and her recent trial win on a heavy track was impressive. Looks hard to beat.
Dangers: 5. I Am Lethal wasn't disgraced on debut at Warwick Farm behind Dragonstone, he kept coming to run fourth. Was solid in better there and the extra trip is in his favour. Likely a sharp improver. 8. Turgenev is an interesting runner. In the market on debut back in March and performed fairly. Trialled twice since and the latest was a curious one as he actually raced on the outside fence before finishing off in the straight. Keep safe. 2. Almighty Rising just lasted after leading first-up here a month ago on a soft 7. Likely he will press forward again and is one of the chances.
How to play it: Larkspur Run WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 2 - 1:25PM ASTERN @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
3. Head Legislator bumped into a smart one in a maiden at Doomben back in March and did more than enough in winning a recent trial up north to suggest he's come back in good order. Strikes a very winnable race, drawn well and should go close.
Dangers: 7. Latin Lyric has run a few handy races and was close up on a heavy track when resuming at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago. Tends to get back and hit the line and is capable of showing up. 4. Kyalla is worth keeping safe on debut after a handy first trial outing on a heavy track here on July 2. Barrier might be a bit sticky but she was forward in the trial. 1. Mount Fuji is a head scratcher, he's a high priced yearling who has shown glimpses but yet to really fire. Hit the line okay in his latest trial, if he's a wet tracker he might have his chance to show something.
How to play it: Head Legislator WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 3 – 2.00PM CHINA HORSE CLUB HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
3. Seleque was confidently ridden and proved too strong when resuming on a heavy track at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Fitter and the form has held right up out of the win. No harder here, fitter and only has to hold form to take beating.
Dangers: 4. Hibiscus Lady comes out of the same race having run fourth beaten just over a length. Only half a kilo better off at the weights but is a consistent type and will be thereabouts again. 6. Matterhorn won narrowly first-up then every chance when beaten at $1.65 at Newcastle on June 26. Handled the wet well in NZ but the form around him is questionable. Still, James McDonald rides and he stays under notice. 1. Mr Magical is flying in the country on wet tracks at the moment and held off Dream Runner to win at Moruya over 1300m last time. Likely rolls to the front and can give a sight.
How to play it: Seleque WIN ($2.25 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 2.35PM SKY RACING HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
5. Grenado did more than enough first-up in his closing fourth at Warwick Farm in what looks a stronger race. Sure to be fitter and only win was over this course on a heavy track ion January. Good chance in an open race.
Dangers: 1. No Laughing Matter had the same weight when she led all the way to a narrow win, over a subsequent winner, at the Farm two weeks ago. Takes on the boys here but all four wins are on the heavy and she has to be respected. 6. Tastebud seemed to have her chance behind No Laughing Matter second-up. Does meet her a little better at the weights so perhaps worth another chance. 2. Arctic Thunder loves a wet track and is unbeaten first-up though is only coming off a two month break. Easy time hitting the line well in a trial last week and she's capable of showing up.
How to play it: Grenado E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 5 – 3.10PM VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
9. Escape Artist has a tricky gate but if they can run on she's going to be hard to hold out. Game winner first-up, forgive run second-up then closed off well behind Seleque at the Farm last time. Going well enough to be in the finish with a bit of luck.
Dangers: 5. Turnstyle may have gone off the boil since a brilliant win in May on a heavy track but the blinkers go on so we can expect her to be prominent. Never in it last time but her best form is when on speed. Keep safe. 2. Tamerlane hasn't been beaten far in two runs since a first-up Gosford win but fair to say she's had her chance in both. Will be competitive if she handles a heavy for the first time. 6. Coco Cuber is much better than that first-up run at Hawkesbury where he swung wide on the turn but couldn't run on. Usually a consistent type and don't be surprised if he improves sharply.
How to play it: Escape Artist E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 6 - 3:45PM TAB HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
9. Maccomo is on trial at the trip but he's racing in great form at this level and may not have to lead this time. He's been run down at his past four but has kept at it, backs up from last week and is a good chance to put himself in the finish again.
Dangers: 6. Bethencourt has been a bit costly but showed a return to his best with a game second to Papal Warrior at Rosehill with the third horse a subsequent winner. Will need a bit of early luck but should run well. 7. Rules Don't Apply had excuses for her last start effort behind Zing, was a strong winner of a similar race to this a month ago on a soft 7. Draws one and James McDonald back on board. Has to be respected. 8. Margie Bee gave a huge sight in the lead as she was run down on the line over this course a few weeks ago. Likes to roll along and if she gets comfortable can take some catching.
How to play it: Maccomo E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 7 – 4.20PM XXXX HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
4. Wairere Falls has been threatening to win one this time on a Saturday and gets a chance to atone for going under as favourite at Rosehill on June 26. Race looks to set up well for him from a good draw and is worth one more chance.
Dangers: 2. Off Shaw was gutsy when run down by stablemate Matowatakpe at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. He should be close to his peak, he'll roll forward from the gate and should be hard to beat. 8. Miss Einstein had no hope the way the race was run last time at Rosehill so don't be too hard on her for that. Effort prior chasing Expat again was sound and she's a major player here. 11. Silent Agenda rises in trip after two runs at 1200m and showed he's again racing well with a solid second at Warwick Farm second-up. Draws well and is always competitive at this level.
How to play it: Wairere Falls WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.
