Race-by-race tips and previews for Canterbury on Wednesday
By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
RACE 1 — 1.25PM: PAULELE @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
2. Bravely is a well bred colt who makes his debut after a nice trial win at Warwick Farm recently. He’s been in and out of the stable through the year so has had a good grounding and draws ideally to have his chance. Go close if he runs up to the trial.
The Milkybar Kid famously won a two-horse race last year but will find things more difficult on Wednesday.
Dangers: 5. First Landing is also on debut and he wasn’t exposed nearly as much as he worked into fourth in his second hitout a couple of weeks ago. Looked to have something to offer there and is worth keeping safe. 4. Dimitrov was solid in betting at his first outing and while it appeared he had his chance he stuck on OK to run third. Fitter for it and open to improvement. 1. Etched In Time had good support at his only start at Newcastle and hit the line well from about midfield to get within half a length or so of the winner. Each-way claims.
How to play it: Bravely to win and trifecta 2/1,4,5/1,4,5.
RACE 2 — 2PM: TAB HANDICAP (1200m)
12. Hellbent On You was far from disgraced first-up at Kensington behind Coincide. Arguably should have finished closer after being held up and losing momentum but she recovered OK to run fifth. Fitter, drawn well again and looks a good each-way hope.
Dangers: 1. Tautou has been handed no favours with the barrier but with any early luck can give cheek. Eventually found the lead and was run down by How Dare You here at her second start. Just needs those breaks in the first 200m or so and she could take catching. 2. Autumnmation has been a prolific trialler and her past couple in this prep have been on the quiet side as you often get from the stable. Watch betting and no surprise if she shows up. 10. Untouchable Legend drew out and made some ground behind Caballus at Randwick first-up. Scratchings don’t help her barrier a whole lot but worth including.
How to play it: Hellbent On You each-way.
RACE 3 — 2.35PM: RANVET HANDICAP (1900m)
8. Sir Bailey backed up his solid effort here two runs back with another close up third at Warwick Farm last week and he was strong on the line. So the extra trip looks in his favour and while his strike rate is becoming a worry he has a good chance.
Dangers: 5. Sophia’s Magic has been thereabouts this time in and is down in class on her even third at Randwick fourth-up. She did win over this course back in February and should be respected. 1. The Milkybar Kid will be fitter for two runs back where he’s led and been reeled in. He fought back after looking like missing a placing at Kensington two weeks ago. Sting out probably helps him and he could take running down. 2. Tip Of The Spear warmed up a bit late when resuming at Randwick and drops a notch in grade here. May want a bit further but he’s a likely improver on what he showed fresh.
How to play it: Sir Bailey each-way.
RACE 4 — 3.10PM: CASINO PRINCE @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1250m)
4. Capital Asset should relish a bit of give in the track and while he had his chance first-up he did close off OK very late to be beaten little more than a length. Generally improves with a run or two and from an inside gate is entitled to be in the finish.
Dangers: 9. Atlantic Ocean was well-supported second-up and did run up to that support with a close second at Kensington two weeks ago. Has been a bit disappointing overall but a repeat of that last effort would see him go close. 3. Iknowastar went through the grades in the country last time in with a string of wins before failing in a group 2. His two trials have been sharp and he’s worth keeping on the safe side first-up. 5. Lancaster Bomber is a bit in and out but when he draws well he generally runs well. On his Midway placing two back he could find himself in the money here.
How to play it: Capital Asset to win and trifecta 4/3,5,9/3,5,9.
RACE 5 — 3.45PM: JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (1100m)
1. Destination has struck a winnable race first-up and on his best form he’s capable of showing up. Placed in a strong BM88 back in January and does tend to run well when fresh. Good record here too. Each-way chance.
Dangers: 4. American President will appreciate some give in the ground after two runs back and if he happened to find his best form he would be very competitive. Effort second-up wasn’t bad considering he was held up early in the straight. Chance to lift. 10. High Plateau was no match for Our Kobison at Newcastle when resuming over 900m and while he drops 4kg he seems a bit under the odds. Fair effort in this grade at third race start. Can improve so can’t overlook. 9. Pole Position ran a nice race when resuming at Kensington behind Stromboli from a wide gate but does face an outside alley once again. With any luck in running he’s an each-way chance.
How to play it: Destination each-way.
RACE 6 — 4.20PM: BEST OF BORDEAUX @ COOLMORE HANDICAP (1250m)
10. Coriolis has been freshened up since an easy Sandown win a month ago over a subsequent Sydney winner and draws ideally. Given a tickover trial since then and given she’s racing in career best form she looks well-placed to go on with the job.
Dangers: 8. Tashi has been thereabouts without winning and gets the blinkers on after her even fourth at Rosehill last Saturday week. Back to 1250m from a soft gate is suitable and she can hit back. 4. Kibosh finished last when resuming but it wasn’t a bad run considering where she got to and how she hit the line. Extra trip a plus as is the soft ground and she could easily be a sharp improver. 7. Southern Chilli chased Coriolis home before prevailing narrowly at Canterbury a few weeks back. Capable in the wet and has claims.
How to play it: Coriolis to win and trifecta 10/4,7,8/4,7,8.
RACE 7 - 4.55PM: KIA ORA STALLIONS HANDICAP (1550m)
2. Sweysive is hard to fault of late with three wins from his last five starts including one over this trip at Kensington two weeks ago. On-pacer who will give another good account in a race that has fallen away.
Dangers: 8. Principessa gets back and runs on and she did that once again last time out when placed at Kensington over this course. Has a big finish on her so if they overdo it then she’ll come right into play. 6. Hellavadancer is back in form with a Wyong win and a solid placing at Kensington two weeks ago. Handles the sting out and should run well. 5. Fuller has been thereabouts without winning but wasn’t beaten far by Sweysive last time. In the mix.
How to play it: Sweysive to win.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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