Canterbury racing tips are on the agenda for Wednesday, with a seven-race card set down for decision. The track conditions could improve slightly, with fine weather forecast and the surface rated a Soft 6.
The rail is out 2m, and Canterbury’s tight circuit often gives on-speed runners their chance. That puts extra focus on the speed map and early positioning, especially for horses that can settle handy and quicken before the short straight.
Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities across the program. Here is our race-by-race preview for Canterbury. Let’s have it!
LORAX (2) returned in pleasing fashion last start in a Saturday two-year-old race.
The Chris Waller-trained colt settled back after drawing wide before picking up strongly to finish third, beaten just over a length.
The now three-year-old will strip fitter second-up and should appreciate the rise in distance, as well as dropping back to midweek company.
James McDonald takes the ride and can settle closer in the run.
| 2. Lorax (5) J: James McDonald 58kg 3×3T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. Promising on debut 3rd of 9 at Warwick Farm 2yo Mdn-Sw on February 18 over 1100m, 3 len behind Wolf Gap carrying 57kg at $7.50. Went for a break before returning 3rd of 10 at Randwick 2yo Hcp on July 25 over 1100m, slow going 1.0 len behind Scintillation carrying 56kg at $19. Further improvement in store. | |||
WANDA’S SPARK (1) won back-to-back trials before debuting over 1100m on the Kensington track recently.
The Michael Freedman-trained Tagaloa filly settled just behind the leaders before finishing strongly, only to be nailed late and finish second, beaten 1.15 lengths.
She will be better for the experience and should have come on nicely since that run.
She possesses good early speed, so Tommy Berry should be able to take advantage of the good draw and settle in a prominent position.
| 1. Wanda’s Spark (3) J: Tommy Berry 59kg 2T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Was well-supported at debut, raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 8 at Randwick Kensington 2&3yo Mdn-Sw on July 29 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Sequinned carrying 54kg at $2.50. Shapes as a leading chance with abundant scope for improvement. | |||
CHEVAL DE BOIS (1) rises sharply in weight, but this is a considerable drop in class from what he has been facing lately.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding was last seen working strongly to the line to finish second, beaten just under a length, in a Benchmark 78 Handicap over 2000m at Rosehill.
That followed back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1550m at Kensington and 1500m at Rosehill.
He is rock-hard fit and maps to get a great run for Braith Nock, who claims 1.5kg.
| 1. Cheval De Bois (2) J: Braith Nock 61.5kg x4222T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently 2nd of 10 at Rosehill Bm78 on August 1 over 2000m, slow going 0.9 len behind Horizons carrying 53kg at $5.50. The run before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Rosehill 3yo Bm72 on July 18 over 1500m, on rain affected going; 1.3 len behind Arapawa carrying 53kg at $3.80. Racing very well without winning but should get something back today. | |||
OAKFIELD NEPTUNE (2) was no match for the speedy Sir Les last start over 1100m at Randwick and should find dropping back to midweek company an easier assignment.
The Kris Lees-trained mare proved too strong two starts back at Newcastle when carrying this weight to victory.
She had been racing well before that, including an all-the-way 2.81-length victory and a neck second three starts back, where she was run down late over this distance at Newcastle.
James McDonald is a key booking and should drive forward from the low draw to give his mount the run of the race.
| 2. Oakfield Neptune (2) J: James McDonald 60kg x1217T: Kris Lees | |||
| Most recently 7th of 11 at Randwick 3&4yo Bm72 on July 25 over 1100m, slow going 8 len behind Sir Les carrying 58kg at $18. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.9 len at Newcastle Bm64 June 27 over 1200m in soft going defeating Sponars carrying 60kg at $1.85. In the mix back in this easier race. | |||
CAPTURE ME (8) brained an inferior field last start at Illawarra Grange and looks more than capable of stepping up to this level.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding looked to be in a spot of bother when held up behind the leaders, but he burst through and charged to the line to win easily by 2.8 lengths.
Prior to that, he finished second to Jarrito at Warwick Farm in a similar race to this.
He has drawn beautifully for Chad Schofield and should enjoy a sweet run on speed.
| 8. Capture Me (2) J: Chad Schofield 58kg 4×321T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 2.75 len at Illawarra Grange Cl1 July 30 over 1150m defeating Li’l Grug with 60kg at $1.12. The run before that rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 9 at Warwick Farm Bm72 on July 15 over 1100m, 2.75 len behind Jarrito with 55.5kg at $2.45. Sure to measure up in this company. | |||
INOUE (1) had favourite backers sweating when he bombed the start horrendously first-up over this course and distance.
However, the Richard Litt-trained gelding recovered to run home powerfully along the fence and win comfortably by 2.61 lengths.
He will strip fitter and has won his past two second-up races at Kembla Grange and Hawkesbury.
There looks to be good speed in the race, which should see James McDonald settle just off them before launching in the straight.
| 1. Inoue (5) J: James McDonald 60kg 574×1T: Richard Litt | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 2.5 len at this track 4yo+ Bm72 July 8 over 1100m in heavy going defeating Zale with 57kg at $2.50. Previously second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by a nose at Hawkesbury Cg&E Bm64 October 23 over 1100m defeating Norton Road carrying 60.5kg at $5.50. Big chance to make it back-to-back wins. Kept fresh and likely to hold that good form second-up. | |||
BARKING MAD (3) was stiff not to win his third race in a row last start over 1500m at Rosehill, where he was held up in the straight before charging late to finish second, beaten 1.24 lengths.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding won his maiden at Cranbourne first-up before sprinting hard and fast to dominate his rivals in a 3.5-length victory over 1400m on the Lakeside track.
He is at peak fitness now and gets the great man James McDonald in the saddle.
J-Mac will give him every chance to return to the winner’s stall from the inside barrier.
| 3. Barking Mad (1) J: James McDonald 59kg 7×112T: Chris Waller | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run 2nd of 9 at Rosehill 3&4yo Bm72 on August 1 over 1500m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Funshow with 57.5kg at $5.50. The race before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 3.5 len at Sandown-Lakeside 3yo Bm64 July 8 over 1400m in heavy going defeating Rogue Warrior with 58.5kg at $5.50. Flying this prep and looks the goods dropping back to midweek company. | |||