CANTERBURY
FRIDAY 19 JANUARY
TRACK: GOOD 4 (4.7) RAIL: +3M
BEST BETS:
Race 1 No.7 MISTEED
Race 2 No.5 CHARLAYNE
Race 6 No.4 SOOTHING
Race 1
7 – 6 – 5 – 9
MISTEED was outstanding on debut and most unlucky not to get the cash when going down in a close finish. With race experience and an extra 100m she can take up a nice spot handy to the speed and hard to get past. Her main danger is Everard who also turned in a very good debut performance. She gets barrier one and a repeat effort will have her in the major spoils. The Enzo is honest and should get a perfect run giving him a chance.
Race 2
5 – 1 – 6 – 3
CHARLAYNE looks a wild one and has plenty to learn but she looks like she has a pretty handy motor. Her latest trial was relatively slow compared to the others on the day but her effort looked outstanding but as I mentioned she looks as though she needs to learn. I’m banking on the Waller and Bowman polish to bring her best out. League Of Nations probably deserves a win having run five placings from his seven career starts. He should get a nice run and with the blinkers coming off it may enable him to relax.
Race 3
6 – 4 – 2 – 1
Campaign and Pickelhaube ran the quinella here last week and are obviously players but I’m steering around that race for my two picks. DARK DREAM won on debut at Moruya before a cracking effort when second to Prometheus at Kembla before he took another big step and ran second to Savacool at Randwick. He looks a promising staying 3yo and from gate one with 54.5kg on his back he’s the one the others need to beat. Godunov is a galloper I have a pretty handy opinion of and I have no doubt he will make it as a handy galloper. His debut win was super and then nothing went right when he hit the line good at Kembla behind Prometheus.
Race 4
3 – 7 – 5 – 1
AL MAH HAHA was very good in winning here a fortnight ago when a little under done and looks the one to get through here. The lack of tempo on paper looks a slight concern but stepping from the 1100m to 1250m I imagine he will look to settle a little closer. It’s So Obvious is first up and her trainer has added the blinkers. She has trialled very smartly and should take up a forward spot. Inquiry is the other winning chance and although dropping back in distance it should have too much affect. He should get a good run near the front from a good barrier.
Race 5
8 – 3 – 4 – 2
IMPERIAL EAGLE finds the perfect city race where he will get a sit I imagine on the back of All Carisma and with no weight on his back he should be strong late. I have always had a rap on this gelding and Alan Denham has been patient before bringing him to town. All Carisma will likely lead and is sure to give a huge sight from the front. Cadogan is a smart horse when right and going off his recent barrier trial I’d suggest he is back in good order. Prince Mayted is an honest country galloper who only needs to repeat his latest run where he was fourth at Randwick and he will be in this race for a long way.
Race 6
4 – 3 – 6 – 8
SOOTHING was outstanding at Wyong last start when held up behind them and maybe she is ready to produce what many have always thought she had. The speed on paper looks to be genuine and if she gets the chance to travel into the race she will take some holding out. Geneteau attacks the line like I attack a salad bar but she must considered a player on all her recent runs. On her best form Luiza can play a major role especially having drawn perfectly. Her recent trial was solid enough to suggest she has returned in good order.
Race 7
8 – 3 – 4 – 1
TENNESSEE HUSSY was very good here over the same distance two runs back when gunned down late before she went to Randwick and acquitted herself terrifically against some better opponents. With no weight on her back here and racing in a forward position she is sure to be somewhere in the spoils. Pianissimo has a very good record at this track and distance and from an ideal barrier it’s no surprise he’s favourite. Since joining the Richard Litt stable he has continued his good form as previously with Waller. Hammond Lane will roll forward and may well lead and like he did here a fortnight ago he will give a kick and make sure the others know he is there.
Race 8
7 – 5 – 13 – 14
REX BELL is the biggest query of the night as he is first up for 15 months and hasn’t raced since Goodwood in England back in October of 2016. Since arriving in Australia he has been gelded and trialled three times that have been ok and just no make sure all bases are covered Waller has added the blinkers for his first run here. Be patient but if the money comes he may have a class edge of the others. Lord Macau will roll to the front and make it hard for the others to run him down. He is tough and with two runs now at the 1900m he should be cherry ripe. The value runners are the bottom two Mate Story and Queen Of Heights.
Quaddie:
1st leg: 2 – 3 – 4 – 8
2nd leg: 4
3rd leg: 3 – 4 – 8
4th leg: 5 – 7 – 13 – 14
Cost $48 = 100%