The Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) has only drawn eight horses, but it is shaping as one of the most open races on 2019 Randwick Guineas Day.
Three-time Group 1 winner Trapeze Artist has opened a warm favourite in 2019 Canterbury Stakes betting, but there is a case to be made for nearly every horse in the field and he’ll face plenty of resistance from the likes of Pierata, Kementari, Shoals and Brutal.
We have analysed every horse in the field and our 2019 Canterbury Stakes tips can be found below.
Trapeze Artist
There is no denying Trapeze Artist’s class and he’ll take plenty of benefit into his second-up appearance in the Canterbury Stakes. The Snitzel entire is a three-time Group 1 winner and aside from Winx, was probably the star of the 2018 Autumn Carnival. The race simply wasn’t run to suit when he could only manage fourth of five runners in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes first-up this time, but he harbours plenty of upside and looms as a winning chance.
Pierata
Pierata typically flies fresh and will relish the conditions of the Canterbury Stakes first-up on Saturday. The son of Pierro is yet to record a win at the highest level, but he has been a strong and consistent performer in some of the country’s best fields during his recent preparations. The outsider barrier isn’t too much of an issue in this small field and with even luck late, he is good enough to win.
Kementari
Kementari has not won since this meeting last year, but he is a horse that rarely runs a bad race and he is primed for another big showing in the Canterbury Stakes. The four-year-old son of Lonhro produced a particularly eye-catching turn of foot to close within a nose of Manuel in the Group 1 Ladbrokes CF Orr Stakes first-up this time and has been kept up to the mark with a barrier trial in the lead-up to Saturday’s race. He’s drawn beautifully in barrier 3 and will have the notable advantage of James McDonald in the saddle.
Fell Swoop
Fell Swoop has a fitness edge over some of his rivals heading into this race, but he’d need to produce a career-best performance to win. He has shown glimpses of the horse that was in the finish of some of the country’s biggest sprint races a couple of years ago this time in, but he does look outclassed in the 2019 Canterbury Stakes field.
Shoals
Talented mare Shoals has not been seen at the races since spring, but she is another horse that is capable of a huge run fresh and she would not look out of place in the Canterbury Stakes winner’s stall. A three-time Group 1 winner, the Fastnet Rock mare has finished outside the places only twice in thirteen career starts so far and could receive the run of the race from barrier 5. She does look a touch of overs in early Canterbury Stakes betting.
Prompt Response
Prompt Response has been transferred to the care of Chris Waller for her autumn preparation and will be stepping out in the Canterbury Stakes first-up. The Beneteau mare was a strong and consistent performer for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott in 2018 and broke through for a maiden win at the highest level in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara during the Brisbane Winter Carnival, most notably. She’s trialled well in the lead-up to this race but might find a couple of her rivals too sharp.
Cool Passion
Cool Passion has opened at Canterbury Stakes odds of $34 and that does look to be about the right price. The Tony McEvoy-trained mare is a multiple black type winner, but this is her first appearance in Group 1 company, and she faces a huge task in winning.
Brutal
Brutal is the unknown quantity in the 2019 Canterbury Stakes field. He was undefeated through his debut preparation in spring last year, which included consecutive wins at Listed level, but suffered the first defeat of his racing career when he resumed for third in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes last month. The rise in trip should suit and he has plenty of options from the rails draw.