By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a good track.
Race 1 – 3:20PM NED AUSTRALIAN WHISKY PLATE (1900 METRES)
2. Fudai appears to be looking for the extra trip and while unplaced here last time he found the line quite well at the 1550m in a handy maiden. Might be able to settle a bit closer up in trip from the good gate. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 8. Rangitikei ran a much improved race up to this trip a few weeks ago and is destined to get an easier run from the inside. Good chance to break through. 10. Mr Plume was runner-up in the same race and thought he had his chance to get past the winner. It was only his third start so could be open to some more improvement. 6. Duma produced her best result in six starts when runner-up to Grebeni at Newcastle a month ago. Chance to go on with it.
How to play it: Fudai WIN. Trifecta 2/6,8,10/6,8,10. Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Canterbury will host an eight-race meeting on Sunday.Credit:Getty
Race 2 – 4:00PM DRINKWISE PLATE (1200 METRES)
8. Shalatin gets one more chance to break through after going under as favourite at his first start as a gelding. He did run second and to be fair might have bumped into a handy one there. Blinkers go on and looks to get a race run to suit.
Dangers: 9. Step Aside made a promising debut despite being a short priced favourite and run down by Victory Lane at Warwick Farm. Better for it, it’ll be interesting to see if he looks to lead again or takes a sit. Definite chance. 11. War Star wasn’t asked for a whole lot when running into fourth in his latest trial on December 13. Barrier could be tricky but keen to keep him safe. 4. Good Once was scratched at the barrier at a recent meeting so he hasn’t raced since making it three seconds from as many starts at Kembla on December 10. Draws to be prominent and can give a sight.
How to play it: Shalatin WIN; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 3 – 4:40PM PETALUMA PLATE (1200 METRES)
10. Moonlight Grace produced a huge effort after sitting wide to hit the front only to be grabbed in the last stride at Gosford second up. Finds a winnable city maiden, draws well and should be even fitter. Sure to take beating.
Dangers: 13. Rocketeer Girl might have an easier time up front at her second start after facing the breeze on debut when fourth here almost a month ago. Blinkers go on and she shapes as a big improver. 8. Leandra has been solid in both starts so far and kept finding the line here two weeks back behind Demiana. Each-way claims again. 4. Chouilly strikes a dry track for the first time and has had some typically quiet trials for the stable in the lead-up. Draws a bit awkwardly but one to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Moonlight Grace WIN; Trifecta 10/4,8,13/4,8,13; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 4 – 5:20PM FURPHY HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
1. Willinga Freefall is unbeaten in three starts in the country and the ease of his Tuncurry win suggests he’s well up to a low benchmark city race like this. Still has the 60kg to carry but that also says he’s at this level. Go well.
Dangers: 10. Maritima has been bursting to win a race and while still a maiden she’s a chance with even luck here. Too far back when chasing home her stablemate last time. Keep safe. 7. Super Chilled did win that race after enjoying a nice run close to the pace. She’s struck form at her last couple and could easily go on with it. 4. Mystic Mermaid settled back and didn’t come into it at all when resuming. Had some support there so inclined to give her another chance up in distance.
How to play it: Willinga Freefall WIN; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 5 – 6:00PM CASTELVECCHIO FIRST YEARLINGS HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
13. Grebeni was a good thing beaten last start at Gosford and the only plus is that he didn’t get penalised at the weights for this race. He’s a stayer on the way up and with even luck in running is capable of taking this out.
Dangers: 4. Trust The Process lumped 63.5kg into second at Canberra last time out and while a beaten favourite the effort was still sound. Has been placed at this trip previously and with Nash on he’s worth including. 2. Whangaehu has strung four placings together and was narrowly beaten over this course two weeks ago. Comes back a notch to a BM64 but draws wide. Couldn’t leave him out, though. 11. Thousand Years has been a bit disappointing this time in but she’s back in class after beaten three lengths by Tympanist at Kensington. If she can find her best she’s a show.
How to play it: Grebeni WIN; Trifecta 13/2,4,11/2,4,11; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Race 6 – 6:30PM KIA CANTERBURY SPRINT (1200 METRES)
3. I Am Me has been excellent this prep coming through the grades with three easy wins and ticked the 1200m box at Randwick last time. Drops nicely in weight and has the speed to be in the first few from the outside. Logical horse to beat.
Dangers: 1. Ranges will be much fitter for a midfield finish in the Razor Sharp where he didn’t do a bad job off a wide gate. He’s an honest type and it would be no surprise if he improved into the placings. 5. Dragonstone will get back and look to charge home. Disappointed in the Razor Sharp but staying down in the weights he’s worth throwing into the mix. 7. Snippy Fox is capable of a cheeky first-up run from the back, especially if they overdo it up front.
How to play it: I Am Me WIN; Trifecta 3/1,5,7/1,5,7; Odds & Evens: ODDS.
Race 7 – 7:00PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
6. Tsarina Sophia looks a promising filly and she resumed with a very soft win at Wyong almost a month ago. Fitter and the extra 100m holds no fears. Expect her to be right in the finish again.
Dangers: 4. Girl Mania is usually a backmarker and did run second to Norwegian Bliss earlier this year when fresh. Her trials have been handy and she’ll be strong at the finish. 8. Luna Rocks had cardiac arrhythmia when beaten as an odds-on favourite at Hawkesbury. Forgive that, she’s been back to the trials for a tickover and can be a big improver. 2. Super Bright has been freshened since a handy third in a Midway at Randwick back in October. Not sure where he gets to from the gate but is lightly raced and with upside so keep in mind.
How to play it: Tsarina Sophia WIN; Odds & Evens: EVENS.
Race 8 – 7:30PM TAB HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
3. He’s A Hotshot has shown consistency this time in with three placings from as many starts and was ambushed by a stablemate here last start in a similar race. Down 1.5kg and will give a big sight up on the speed.
Dangers: 8. Ringmaster contested some strong races last time in and is a very interesting runner right back in class and first up. Trials have been fair, but drawn well and is one to keep an eye on. 5. Silent Agenda was far from disgraced when resuming over 1250m here a few weeks back. Loomed but perhaps fitness told late. Better for it and while staying at the short course he’s not to be overlooked. 9. Lease ran a nice race at this trip when resuming last time in. Gelded and trialled well around I Am Me and Kalino leading in. Each-way. 1. For Valour has a big weight but is also capable of running well fresh from the inside alley.
How to play it: He’s A Hotshot WIN; Odds & Evens: SPLIT.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
