3 minute read

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a good track.

2. Agrimony is worth another chance second-up, he loomed up as the winner when resuming at Rosehill and no sooner did he hit the front his run had ended. Well backed there and has to be much fitter for that so can improve.

Dangers: 3. Sacred Command backed up a solid win at Goulburn with an excellent effort over this trip last week where you could argue he should have gone close. No harder and is one of the main chances. 1. Formentera was a drifter in betting first-up at Hawkesbury but still proved too strong and looked good on the line. Drops 2kg and can only be fitter after a year's absence. Go well. 6. Green Flash was a little plain when resuming at Kensington almost a month ago. So far he's shown some promise but also mixed his form. Check betting for a push.

How to play it: Agrimony WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

6. Norwegian Bliss comes to town with two very easy wins at country and provincial level, the latest an all the way success at Newcastle. Appears to have found a winnable race and she has the racing style that will give her every chance to remain unbeaten. Read trainer Nathan Doyle's comments here.

Dangers: 1. Parachuter has the blinkers on first time after a handy third behind Rebel Rama at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Coming back in trip slightly might be a plus and she has 2kg off her back. Definite chance. 2. Sur La Mer wasn't fancied at Newcastle first-up, doubling her price, but she still finished too well to win a Class 1 there at this trip. Draws well and is worth keeping in mind. 7. Lady Of Luxury has one win in 13 starts but her two starts since that win have been very good, hitting the line. Likely gives away a start again but will be running on.

How to play it: Norwegian Bliss WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

5. Zarastro is eligible for a maiden but he shouldn't be one for too long. Only start to date he chased home Paulele back in December last year and was saved from Saturday to run here. Trialling well and assuming gate one doesn't cause him problems he will go close.

Dangers: 3. King Kapa is a big watch first-up for Joe Pride. Debut win at Grafton in April was impressive then went straight to a Group 2 and wasn't disgraced. Trials have been on the synthetic which can be hard to line up so watch betting. 1. Ocean Emperor has been disappointing in two runs back but is more than capable if he can regain his best form. Has seemed to have his chance in both recent starts too. Take on trust. 4. Ruby Kisses may not have handled the heavy last time at Warwick Farm but her win before that was sound on the pace. Entitled to another chance.

How to play it: Zarastro WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

4. Speed Legend is the most interesting runner of the day. Not raced since winning easily at Warwick Farm in February last year. Had a stable and name change, ex-Thanks To You, and has trialled very impressively twice this month. Like to see some support but hard to beat.

Dangers: 5. Tim's Principal found the line well when resuming at Newcastle a month ago and usually holds his form. Record says he doesn't win out of turn but he does like a good track and can figure in the finish. 8. Rubamos won first-up last prep but seemed to battle a bit in the second half of the campaign. Won a synthetic trial but has gate one and if the support comes for him he could be the one. 6. Budhwar is racing well this time in though was a beaten favourite at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago. Down 4kg and races on the pace so could bounce back.

How to play it: Speed Legend WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

6. Comme Bella Fille just had a bit too much chasing to do first-up at Gosford but chased hard in an otherwise nice return. Should be fitter and drops 4kg, and the extra trip will suit. She's the one with the upside here and should take beating.

Dangers: 8. Narrated has led and been run down at his past two starts but a repeat of either effort would see him give a good sight. It's just a question of how much pressure he's put under. 3. California Longbow comes through the same race as Narrated from Rosehill three weeks ago and he just held his ground there to run fourth. Only start here resulted in a win and if there's more pressure on he'll be a better chance. 4. Fortified settled well back off a wide gate and made some ground without threatening at Randwick last time out. Down in class, drawn the inside so could be an improver.

How to play it: Comme Bella Fille WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

5. Loch Lomond had excuses when he resumed at Gosford in September and a freshen up and a nice trial since should have him back on track. Showed a heap of promise in his first preparation and if he is all in order he should run well.

Dangers: 1. Black Duke has only won once but he has a lot more ability than that, he was a close third in the Hawkesbury Guineas two starts ago. The 1100m is short of his best and he does fire second-up but he's one to keep a close eye on here. 3. Rammstein is an honest on pacer resuming who can find one better at times. Goes forward from the outside alley and can take running down if he doesn't have to overdo it. 9. Tiny returned with a handy effort on a heavy track at Warwick Farm two weeks ago and drops 1.5kg into this. Drawn to get a nice enough run and is one of the main chances.

How to play it: Loch Lomond E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.