Midweek metro racing returns to Canterbury in Sydney’s southwest this week and seven races make up the program.
While the weather has improved in Sydney in recent days, plenty of recent rain and cold weather has seen the track remain in the Heavy (8) range, while the rail will be pushed out 8 metres around the entire course.
Read on for this week’s Canterbury best bets.
THE LITTLE GENERAL takes winning form and improvement into this contest.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained gelding has only made seven appearances at the races since debuting, but he’s stamped himself as one to follow by winning twice, finishing the runner up on another occasion and finding form around some credible opposition.
His first run back to get up in BM68 company was his biggest victory so far and he’ll strip fitter for it.
| 3. The Little General (1) J: Zac Wadick 60.5kg 515×1T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months favourite; won by a nose at Hawkesbury Bm68 July 2 over 1100m on a rain affected track defeating Oakfield Duke carrying 56.5kg at $4.40. Previously second-up 5th of 13 at Gosford Super Mdn-Sw on December 4 over 1200m, 7 len behind Sequista carrying 57.5kg at $9. Fitter and a big chance to get the job done again. | |||
ARGANSORT debuts in a winnable race at Canterbury this week.
The Tassort colt has had five public trials ahead of his first career start, improving with each of those and displaying some good ability.
There isn’t a whole lot of exposed form to wade through and from the low draw, and a senior jockey in Rachel King engaged, I’m confident the horse can hit the ground running.
| 2. Argansort (3) J: Rachel King 59kg T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained three-year-old gelding lining up for debut. Won his latest trial at Randwick. Inside barrier will assist chances. Expect him to fly along with the blinkers on and take some catching. | |||
KRASINA steps out this week a fit horse and ready to win.
Krasina has been knocking on the door since resuming, placing at each of her last two starts, including a strong Saturday metro race at Randwick last time out.
She should be able to navigate to a positive position in the run from barrier 5 and be in it for a long way again.
| 2. Krasina (5) J: Zac Lloyd 57kg 5×423T: David Payne | |||
| Racing well recently. Comes off a 46 day let-up. Most recently 3rd of 11 at Randwick 2yo Hcp on June 6 over 1100m, slow going 0.5 len behind Why So Hard carrying 54kg at $5.50. The start before that came from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Warwick Farm 2yo F Mdn on June 3 over 1100m, on a wet track; neck behind Helldeeva carrying 58kg at $3.90. Looks ready to salute back in midweek company. | |||
ALL STAR can bounce back at Canterbury this week.
The I Am Invincible colt recorded consecutive victories in maiden and Class 1 company two and three runs back and made up plenty of ground from the tail of the field in his first metro start last week.
I like that he’s on the quick back up and gets further out in trip, and if he can settle a little handier this week with a light weight in tow, I think he’ll prove difficult to hold out.
| 7. All Star (9) Scratched: | |||
BLENHEIM GIRL is the one for me in this contest.
We haven’t seen the daughter of Churchill this year, but after working home well on debut at Doomben in December, she was put away after breaking her maiden on the Gold Coast.
She’s reportedly furnished into a stronger horse since spelling and having had the benefit of a few trials ahead of this week’s resumption, she looks fit and forward enough to win.
| 10. Blenheim Girl (1) J: Tommy Berry 57kg 41xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resumes from a spell. Finished off last preparation winning by 1.2 len Gold Coast Mdn-Sw December 27 over 1400m slow track defeating Peak Miss carrying 55kg at $4. On debut fourth of 9 at Doomben Mdn-Sw December 12 over 1200m, soft track; 6 len behind Dominant Darcy carrying 55kg at $15. Lightly raced filly with a stack of upside. | |||
OAKFIELD NEPTUNE has earned a crack at midweek metro company.
The Kris Lees-trained galloper has been a strong and consistent performer on the country and provincial circuit since debuting, recording three wins and two minor placings from six starts since debuting, including two impressive triumphs at Newcastle this time in.
The wide draw is the knock, but the booking of in-form hoop Zac Lloyd adds confidence, while she is proven on the soft going.
| 6. Oakfield Neptune (14) J: Zac Lloyd 58kg 5×121T: Kris Lees | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.9 len at Newcastle Bm64 June 27 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Sponars carrying 60kg at $1.85. Before that rolled along in front then was edged out late 2nd of 9 at Newcastle Prov Bm68 on June 13 over 1250m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Cosy Corner carrying 57.5kg at $3.60. Very smart and looks hard to beat again. | |||
This is comfortably the most open race on the program and at publish, we’re faced with $5 the field and three horses tied on the top line of betting.
With value to be find right the way down the order, one that appeals to be at the current price is PRINCE CHARGE ($12 at publish).
Prince Charge has made just four appearances at the races far, but he’s broken his maiden and found form around some credible opposition in the process.
While clearly needing his first run back this time to tune up, he still finished off well for fifth up at Newcastle when resuming last month and will take plenty of benefit into this race.
| 8. Prince Charge (2) J: Tommy Berry 57kg x16x5T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second run back. Comes off a 39-day let-up. First-up after four months 5th of 8 at Newcastle Cl1 on June 13 over 1250m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Attractiveness carrying 61kg at $12. Previously second-up ran last in a small field at Warwick Farm 3yo Bm68 on February 4 over 1400m, 10 len behind Decorum with 59kg at $15. No easier this time and not likely to threaten. | |||