Our midweek Canterbury preview focuses on the seven races set to be contested at Canterbury Racecourse this Wednesday, August 26th.
With the Sydney Spring Carnival continuing to ramp up, all seven races are packed with talent, and we’ll be treated to several good betting contests as a result.
Read on for our complete Canterbury best bets.
TANNIN can bounce back in the first at Canterbury on Wednesday.
He’s only made two appearances at the races since debuting, but Tannin stamped himself as one to follow by winning easily at Gosford in June, while he went for a break after finishing down in the order in Listed company at his only other start.
Having had the benefit of a trial, he looks well placed to hit the ground running.
| 3. Tannin (1) J: Zac Lloyd 60.5kg 10T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Since last run he has trialed at Rosehill over 900m on 7/8/2026; Last run 10th of 12 in the LR Tattersalls Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 27 over 1400m, slow going 4.5 len behind The Machine Gun with 57kg at $2.80. Run before favourite; won by 1.4 len Gosford Mdn-Sw June 11 over 1200m slow track defeating Pharland with 56.5kg at $1.60. Disappointed last start. Back in grade and worth another chance. | |||
DEFENSEMEN is third up and primed to strike this week.
Having returned to action with a fine performance to finish third, beaten just over a length here back in June, Defensemen has been kept fresh since only just missing over 1400m in Saturday metro company at Randwick last month.
He’s been kept up to the mark with a nice trial since that race, while he’s drawn to receive every chance under Nash this week and is a touch of overs in betting, in my opinion ($8 at publish).
| 1. Defensemen (4) J: Nash Rawiller 59kg x0x32T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today. Resumes off a 46 day letup. Resuming came from midfield; 3rd of 10 in a 2yo C&G Mdn at this track on June 17 over 1250m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind By Napolean Hill with 58kg at $7. Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 10 in a 2yo Hcp at Randwick on July 11 over 1400m, in the wet; nose behind Proxima Dea with 56kg at $4.60. Racing well. Freshened up and makes plenty of appeal back in midweek company. | |||
Happy to give CHAMPAGNE HERO another chance at Canterbury this week.
He was well in the market but turned in a sub-standard performance in Saturday metro company last time out, but Champagne Hero’s form prior to that run was strong and consistent.
In peak order now and back to the midweeks, can should be able to find his way forward and make all of his own luck on the speed.
| 1. Champagne Hero (5) J: Adam Hyeronimus 60.5kg x8218T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| At the latest run 8th of 11 in a Bm78 at Randwick on August 8 over 1600m, 4 len behind The Mona Lisa carrying 56.5kg at $3.50. The start before that favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.3 len at Randwick Kensington on July 29 over 1550m on a rain affected track defeating Forecaster with 58.5kg at $2.30. Can improve on the latest effort and is expected to be in the finish. | |||
CAFE AU LAIT resumes in a winnable race at Canterbury.
We haven’t seen the Alabama Express mare at the races since April, but her autumn prep this year returned some strong results, and she found form around some classy opposition.
With a view towards racing in stronger company than she faces this week, she’s got options in the run from the rails draw, while the booking of James McDonald further strengthens her claims this week.
| 4. Cafe Au Lait (1) J: James McDonald 58kg 2130xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Mare back from a spell of four months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last campaign tenth of 12 at Flemington 3yo F Hcp April 25 over 1400m, 13 len behind Concord Connie carrying 58.5kg at $4.60. Previously first up; fourth of 7 at Kyneton Bm62 F&M February 10 over 1118m, 1.75 len behind Regal Secret carrying 59.5kg at $3.20. Expecting her to make a bright start to this prep. | |||
PHANTOM MAJO takes winning form and improvement into the fifth at Canterbury this week.
While only making two appearances at the races so far, Phantom Major couldn’t have don’t more without winning his first start at Newcastle, while natural improvement saw him too good for maiden company here at Canterbury at his only other start.
This is harder, but he’s got plenty of upside and is another whose winning claims are enhanced by the booking of James McDonald.
| 8. Phantom Major (8) J: James McDonald 58kg 21T: Chris Waller | |||
| Raced twice to date. When well in the market at debut, 2nd of 7 in a 3yo+ Cg&E Mdn-Sw at Newcastle on July 14 over 1250m, slow going nose behind Tellurium with 57kg at $4.80. Second-up came home strongly from last on the turn and won by 1.5 len at this track on August 5 over 1200m defeating Queen’s Gamble with 59.5kg at $5. Promising type but supporters will be paying the Waller/McDonald tax. | |||
MELANITE takes winning form into another nice race at Canterbury this week.
The Dirty Work gelding improved for two competitive performances to fill the minors first and second up this time at Hawkesbury and Gosford respectively, while he was sent forward and hit the line to win in BM72 company at Randwick at his latest task.
This looks to be perfect placement again from the John Thompson yard and Kerrin McEvoy can give him every opportunity again from the inside draw.
| 5. Melanite (1) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 59kg 6×331T: John P Thompson | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run ran on from midfield and won by a neck at Randwick on August 8 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Cosy Corner carrying 56kg at $6.50. The race before that 3rd of 8 in a Cl1 at Gosford on July 18 over 1000m, on rain affected going; 0.9 len behind Difensivo with 61kg at $2.60. Sure to get all the favours from barrier one and is a key contender again. | |||
THREE ARROWS steps out on Wednesday a fit horse and well placed.
While yet to strike this time in, Three Arrows has continued to improve with racing recently and was only just denied in races on the Illawarra Grange and here at Canterbury at his two latest starts.
In peak order today, this looks his opportunity to win.
| 5. Three Arrows (9) J: Tommy Berry 57.5kg 37422T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run ran on from midfield; 2nd of 7 in a Bm72 at this track on August 12 over 1550m, slow going 0.9 len behind Federal Reserve carrying 57kg at $8.50. The race before that held ground to the line 2nd of 15 in a Bm64 at Illawarra Grange on July 30 over 1400m, neck behind Stallone carrying 60.5kg at $2.90. Should give a good account. | |||