3 minute read

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

2. Jaameelati has shown enough in two trials on synthetic tracks to say she has ability, it now comes down to how she handles a soft or heavy track. She certainly hasn't been asked for anything special in the trials and if she's above average she'll run well.

Dangers: 6. Sweet Baby Boom has had every chance in two starts here on heavy tracks and been safely held in third both times. Might be less depth here and she has the race fitness on her side. Can give a sight. 8. Writrose had some support at each-way odds at her debut at Muswellbrook a few weeks ago. Made some ground into fourth there, and from the inside alley could be an improver up in distance. 3. Kai Tak will find this a lot easier than her debut in the Kindergarten Stakes where she beat a few home. Got going late in that race so back in grade she's also a possible improver.

How to play it: Jaameelati WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

9. Resonator was in the market on debut in the Breeders' Plate and weakened after sitting on the speed. Given some time and he has trialled okay on two occasions, the latest behind Paris Dior. Drawn to be handy and is worth keeping safe.

Dangers: 2. London had a tough run at his only start, sitting wide, but he boxed on well to run fourth behind Fireburn back in January. Trialled on the synthetic and worked home well out wide. Has to be considered. 6. King Of Naples was a beaten favourite at his first start a month ago and has been back to the trials. Blinkers go on here and he might be worth another chance. 7. Political Debate was a $900,000 purchase and makes his debut with a couple of trials, one on grass and one on synthetic. They've been fine, drawn okay and worth some respect especially if there's support.

How to play it: Resonator E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

2. Whatafox went under at $1.16 at Swan Hill last time out but does find herself in a very winnable race here. Narrowly denied on a heavy track prior and perhaps the wet to dry wasn't in her favour though she seemed to have her chance. Blinkers on and has another shot.

Dangers: 1. Stormy Legend was six weeks between runs when a game second over this course two weeks ago so he'll be a lot fitter. Has a tricky gate to overcome but any improvement in the track would be to his advantage. 3. Naval Seal has been solid without winning in three starts all on heavy tracks and would be worth forgiving the latest in the same race as Stormy Legend, where he ran fourth. Alley no help but worth another chance. 8. Galactic Angel was beaten out of sight in the same event but clearly didn't handle the very heavy ground. Previous couple were sound and if we're on a soft track she can be a sharp improver.

How to play it: Whatafox WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

4. Vittoriosa had her chance second-up on the pace but prepared to be a bit forgiving there considering her first-up run was sound and she jumped quickly to this trip. Could also get some favours on the speed here and chance to show her best.

Dangers: 6. Smirk started double figures when resuming at Newcastle on a heavy 10 and she found the line hard late into second. Showing some promise and ticked the wet track box last time out. Go well. 1. Achira was a game Midway winner second-up then thrown in the deep end in the Adrian Knox and wasn't competitive. Much better suited here and from the good gate is capable of featuring. 5. Enduring Night hugged the rails and ran into third in a Midway at Rosehill when resuming and her second-up form is generally stronger. Strike rate the concern but has to be included in the chances.

How to play it: Vittoriosa E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

5. Za Ciebas appears to have come back improved if his first-up easy win at Hawkesbury is any guide. Came from off the pace and rounded them up quickly, throttling down late. Has to prove himself second-up now but the one to beat.

Dangers: 2. This'llbetheone was a drifter in betting first-up at Hawkesbury and held his ground okay to run fourth. Extra trip looks ideal and while yet to see a track worse than soft 5 has to be considered. 1. Barrichello finally cracked it for a win at start 10 and held quite a margin on the line over this track and distance. Stays on the same weight after the claim so chance to back it up. 6. Caboteur disappointed first-up at Hawkesbury but he has tended to improve with a run in his short career and did place in a maiden over this course in November before breaking through. Wouldn't surprise to see him lift.

How to play it: Za Ciebas WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

8. Main Stage is racing in consistent form on wet tracks at the moment and tried hard when runner-up here three weeks ago, winner has won again since. Will be on the speed somewhere and has an each-way chance.

Dangers: 9. Hameron was dominant on debut on a heavy track then up in class at Sandown on a good track and found one better. Back to a wet track here, switches states, and bears close watching. 15. Money From The Sky gave them a start and a beating when claiming a maiden second-up then up to Group 2 level and made a little ground but safely held. Much better off back in class, if he steps away okay he's a chance with the blinkers on. 1. Ita is racing well without winning this time in and just left it too late in the Orange Cup. Down 2kg and sure to be thereabouts again.

How to play it: Main Stage E/W ($11 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

10. Rubinocchi is a promising filly who has a win and a second from her past couple of first-up appearances. Fitter for two trials, winning the latest easily on the synthetic, and while she has a slightly tricky draw with any luck she can be prominent at the finish.

Dangers: 13. Rapid Response is straight out of maiden grade but she did break through in quite good style over 900m at Newcastle. Gate one could well be huge for her and if the fence is okay she's a threat. 11. Zain's Girl returned in good order with a Class 1 win at Goulburn (provincial meeting) and she's performed well in both second-up attempts. Another drawn out but has to be included in the chances. 2. Broken Hill was outclassed in the Gosford Guineas before a break but his first two starts on wet ground here was handy. Just he one synthetic trial leading in so keep an eye on betting.

How to play it: Rubinocchi WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

3. The Art Of Flying pounced on the lead here three weeks ago and was never going to be beaten, breaking through for his maiden win. Ran a cheeky race behind Overpass first-up and should be at his peak now. If he gets the breaks early from the gate he could repeat.

Dangers: 7. Pleading warmed up late when resuming then an even effort second-up at Newcastle. Drifter in betting on both occasions but should now have good fitness levels and can measure up. 14. Showtime Lady is an on pacer drawn well to get a nice run first-up since early November. If we're on a soft track her chances improve so monitor conditions but wouldn't surprise if she gives some cheek. 4. Redoute's Image was solid in betting fresh at Muswellbrook in an open sprint and ran on okay beaten a couple of lengths by Mo's Crown. Fitter and drawn to have every chance.

How to play it: The Art Of Flying WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.