Racing returns to Canterbury in Sydney’s west this week and seven races are on the program.
The rail will be set out 6 metres around the entire course while at publish, we’re faced with another track rated in the Heavy (9) range.
With all of that considered, you can find my Canterbury best bets below.
FARFETCHED is second up and primed to strike at Canterbury.
While still a four-start maiden, Farfetched has been knocking on the door since debuting, winning three times, including a nice performance to finish the runner up at Warwick Farm when resuming this time.
With natural improvement and a key experience edge over several rivals this week, she can begin her journey through the grades.
| 6. Farfetched (3) J: Adam Hyeronimus 58.5kg 235×2T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months came from midfield; 2nd of 12 at Warwick Farm Super Mdn-Sw on June 24 over 1100m, slow going 2.75 len behind Zoufame carrying 57kg at $7. Previously second-up 3rd of 8 at Warwick Farm 3yo F Mdn-Sw on January 26 over 1100m, 1.3 len behind Oz Princess with 56kg at $5.50. Genuine filly who looks ideally placed to open her account. | |||
SANCTUM is another second up galloper I’m keen to be with at Canterbury.
The Stay Inside colt trialled fairly ahead of his debut before finishing second behind Omolong at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago.
That horse has obviously franked the form and with natural improvement, I can’t find a reason why Sanctum won’t be in the finish again.
| 4. Sanctum (5) J: Siena Grima 57kg 2T: Chris Waller | |||
| At debut, 2nd of 7 at Warwick Farm 2yo C&G Osc on June 24 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Omolong with 55kg at $17. Looks hard to beat. | |||
ASTRONOMIX strikes a winnable race this week.
Astronomix stamped himself as a horse to follow during his debut preparation, breaking his maiden at his first start at Randwick-Kensington before producing a couple of tough performances to place in BM64 and BM72 company respectively.
His condition just gave out a little after taking up the running at Warwick Farm first up a fortnight ago, but with further improvement, he can replicate those tactics and give himself every chance again, and he’ll benefit from Anna Roper’s claim.
| 1. Astronomix (9) Scratched: | |||
This shapes as a wide-open affair with several key chances engaged, including the resuming INOUE.
Inoue hasn’t been seen at the races since January, but he raced well in some decent races last time in, winning in BM64 company most notably and finding form around some credible opposition.
Having trialled up well, he’s a winner at this point of his preparation previously.
| 5. Inoue (1) J: Zac Lloyd 57kg 2574xT: Richard Litt | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation fourth of 8 at Kembla Grange Cond Bm68 January 28 over 1300m, 3 len behind C’mon Mate carrying 59.5kg at $6.50. First up last campaign ran last of 9 at Warwick Farm 4yo+ Bm72 October 6 over 1100m, 8 len behind Istolea Merc with 56.5kg at $5.50. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Anticipating him to hit the ground running this campaign. | |||
LIPSTICK gets a great chance to win at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Lipstick has been up and racing for a while, but she has continued to turn in high-quality performances, finishing the runner up in races here and at Randwick most recently.
She need only hold her form to be in the finish of a race of this quality again.
| 9. Lipstick (7) J: Siena Grima 58.5kg 73422T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 10 at Randwick 3&4yo Bm72 on June 20 over 1600m, on a slow track; neck behind Bird Whistle carrying 52kg at $5.50. The run before that 2nd of 8 at this track 3&4yo Bm64 on June 8 over 1550m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Ballpark with 57kg at $6.50. Going well and is among the better hopes. | |||
SKYCATCHER steps out a fit horse at Canterbury this week.
Having only just been denied in his first run back at Wyong in May, Skycatcher justified a big go on the market when hitting the line to win in BM72 company here at his second run back.
He has since finished midfield in a stronger Saturday metro race at Rosehill, beaten just over three lengths by the likes of Nobler and King Pedro.
In peak order this week, he looks well placed in this grade and is another whom we can have something on each way ($7 at publish).
| 4. Skycatcher (10) J: Tyler Schiller 60.5kg 3×215T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Last start 5th of 9 at Rosehill Bm78 on June 13 over 2000m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Nobler carrying 56.5kg at $5. Before that won by a neck at this track Cg&E Bm72 May 27 over 1550m on a heavy track defeating Louie’s Legacy with 58.5kg at $1.90. Cherry ripe and one of the key runners. | |||
This is a tough way to end the day from a betting perspective, but MISS KIM KAR ($9) is one that I thought could be over the odds, should she bring her best form to Canterbury.
Miss Kim Kar is yet to place in three runs back from a break, but she’s a horse of immense talent when she does put it all together, and there will be no doubting her fitness this week.
She’s a winner on soft and heavy going, and I am going to have a small each way bet at current odds.
| 10. Miss Kim Kar (8) Scratched: | |||