CANTERBURY
WEDNESDAY 15 AUGUST
TRACK: GOOD 4 RAIL: +3M
BEST BETS:
Race 5 No.1 ZONK
Race 1
4 – 1 – 5
Wow just three horses to face the starter. MISS FABULASS is by former champion Frankel out of star mare Samantha Miss and has had a big boom on her since she first stepped out. Her debut run was outstanding and she looks to have come back in good order trialling well. Rainer is no slouch and will make a race of this having only raced once for a super second at Flemington. He has trialled twice nicely in preparation for this.
Race 2
1 – 2 – 7 – 6
The speed looks pretty fair here with Echo Gem and my top selection who can jump and run BUBBLES’N’TROUBLES looking to run along. Hugh Bowman takes the reins after Blake Shinn was originally declared and this filly is sure to be hard to beat. I have her camping on Echo Gem and hopefully being the stronger late. Echo Gem will have the fitness edge and is ready to go coming off a nice barrier trial a fortnight ago to keep her up to the mark. Gentle Persuasion is one from one so hard to knock her coming in here.
Race 3
7 – 1 – 6 – 2
Tricky race but I have landed on TARABAI who returns here following a five month break but going off his barrier trial last week at Rosehill he looks ready to rock. He will get back but hopefully get his chance to round them up. Kennedy is back from Melbourne and back in grade plus he looked good last week at the trials. Stephan has gate one ensuring he should enjoy a nice economical run while Star Crossed comes off a three week freshen up and hopefully he has a bit better luck than last start.
Race 4
7 – 6 – 3 – 10
TENORINO is racing well and from gate one in an even race looks a major player. Obviously the concern is the distance but from gate one I am hoping an economical run will enable him to get the journey. Falcon Island comes back in distance and grade and if able to lead he will be hard to get past while Gauguin who returned to winning form last start is sure to be handy throughout and be amongst the spoils. Sepoy Acheva is another back who will appreciate this grade and the 250m shorter trip so don’t leave her out of the players.
Race 5
1 – 12 – 6 – 7
ZONK should take this race by the scruff of the neck and go bang when the gates open and I think if that happens she will be very hard to get past. The drop back to 1200m and a race without much speed should play into her hands as will the claim for Rachel Hunt. Lady I Am is racing well and is sure to be finding the line powerfully while Speedway is the query runner being first up here for ten months so keep an eye on the betting for the best guide.
Race 6
5 – 7 – 1 – 6
Very open race the third leg of the quadrella so I have gone wide. Tye Angland on board and gate one has swayed me to FANTASTIC MAN as my top selection here as he should enjoy a nice run and with three runs now under belt this preparation he should be ready to fire. Shadal was ordinary last start and I am sure he is better than that but he needs to show it today. Mutarakem will appreciate getting back to Canterbury while White Boots is a tough campaigner and is shooting for three wins on the trot. Dalmatia Prince is dropping back in grade so must be respected against this bunch.
Race 7
11 – 7 – 1 – 14
STAR OF THE SEAS got the job done in good fashion first up and Chris Waller has given him four weeks to get over that and be ready to go again. He looks to get the right run and without a lot of depth here and the drop of 4kg he will be hard to beat. Savvan is the big threat who has been racing in terrific heart of late. She has been a little unlucky not have won a race of late so she is well and truly capable of getting the money here.
Quaddie:
1st leg: 3 – 6 – 7 – 10
2nd leg: 1
3rd leg: 1 – 2 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9
4th leg: 7 – 11
Cost $56 = 100%