Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury, Goulburn, Ballina, Warren

From the inside gate, a Mark Newnham-trained gelding is poised to lead and will take catching at Canterbury on Friday night.

Chenin will prove hard to run down at Canterbury on Friday night. Picture: Grant Guy

Form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Canterbury.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

CANTERBURY

BEST BET

Race 4, No.4: CHENIN

Can lead his rivals on a merry dance again from out in front.

NEXT BEST

Race 7, No.1: MEDIA STARGUEST

Loves Canterbury. A winner this track and trip last start.

VALUE BET

Race 2, No.11: PARTY DOLL

Ready to deliver on debut after a pair of strong trials.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 3, 4, 8.

Race 6: 1, 3, 4.

Race 7: 1, 3.8.

Race 8: 6, 8, 15.

Apprentice Zac Lloyd looks set for another successful night at Canterbury on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Zac Lloyd had a four-timer at Canterbury last month and comes in with a strong book again.

GOULBURN

BEST BET

Race 6, No.4: EASTERN GLOW

Progressive galloper returning from a spell after impressing in his debut preparation.

BALLINA

BEST BET

Race 5, No.13: STUCK IN A DREAM

Showed enough in debut prep to be tested in stakes grade. Ready to go off two trials.

WARREN

BEST BET

Race 7, No.2: THESPIUS

More than capable of repeating his dominant debut performance. Will be hard to run down.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR CANTERBURY

RACE 1

Maritima, one of five Chris Waller runners, is a better horse than what she showed last start when a beaten favourite at the same track and trip that she will face on Friday night. The Merchant Navy filly hadn’t missed the placings in all four starts before that and was a close second over the 1550m journey before the failure. Trialled well since, she’s ready to bounce back. Fudai found one better at each of his past two starts and a maiden win shouldn’t be far away. But his racing pattern to get back and surge home will leave him with work to do on the tight turning Canterbury track. Super Chilled is coming off her best performance to date and can run well again.

Verdict: Maritima to win.

RACE 2

Party Doll’s connections could to have plenty of reasons to celebrate after the three-year-old makes her debut. The Sooboog filly has certainly looked the part in two trials wins, the second of those by a widening five lengths. She can shed her maiden tag at the first time of asking. Shalatin returns from a break after undergoing the ultimate gear change. Placed in the Group 2 Todman Stakes at two, he’s got the talent to win if he puts it all together. If Monaco Doll can bring his trial form to the races, he’s primed to run a big race first up.

Verdict: Party Doll to win.

Chad Schofield rides debutant Party Doll at Canterbury. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 3

Narrative put the writing on the wall with a fast finishing third at Newcastle over 1200m last start. He’s ready to peak third up from a spell now. Looks on paper to have enough pace in this for him to surge home over the top of them. The form says Lalaguna finished sixth of eight last start but the run was much better than that. She was luckless and certainly has talent. Marelle lost no admirers with a determined first up effort on speed to just miss. She is going to be tough to get past.

Verdict: Narrative each-way.

RACE 4

Chenin may never scale the same heights as her multiple Group 1 winning brother Shadow Hero but she will win plenty of races. Reckon she can win another one here. She was excellent saluting last start at Warwick Farm when leading and can do the same thing here from barrier one. Happy to make her one of the best bets on the card. Danger comes from African Daisy on the back of her Scone win. Sweet Mercy has a touch over two lengths to make up on the favourite from her last start win but gets the 2kg swing.

Verdict: Chenin to win.

RACE 5

Fresh performer Rockribbed can add to his flawless first up record here. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper is two for two fresh from a spell and returns off a 235 day lay-off. Can settle just off them and run home. He’s A Hotshot looks your leader. Premier frontrunning rider Tim Clark should go straight forward to negate the tricky draw. He’ll give rivals something to catch. Vowmaster hasn’t raced in 608 days but has trialled okay as has the Hawkes Racing galloper Rinnova.

Verdict: Rockribbed to win.

Brenton Avdulla combines with Rockribbed on Friday night. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

The picket fence came to an end when Akasawa suffered a rare defeat last start. Provided he runs, a return to Canterbury can result in a return to winning ways for the Paul Messara-trained galloper. Few are riding better than apprentice Zac Lloyd at the moment and his 2kg claim will help. Stepping up to the mile will too. Danish Prince finally got his reward last start at Rosehill and is drawn to run well again. Must carry an extra 3kg from that win. Baltic Coast can atone after he was caught wide when in the market at Canterbury.

Verdict: Akasawa to win.

RACE 7

Canterbury has been a happy hunting ground for Media Starguest. The Rubick gelding has 2 wins and three placings in five starts at the venue and won his only previous turn over the 1900m here last time. Dylan Gibbons claims 2kg gets him in at the same weight (57.5kg) as that assignment. Rosovo has placed in all four runs this preparation but the draw is very tricky. Whangaehu certainly isn’t of it off recent strong performances.

Verdict: Media Starguest to win.

RACE 8

You will get a huge price about Geewiz Johnny in the last. He should have won for all money at Gosford in his last public appearance, rocketing home late. A great draw in barrier three should allow him every chance this time, Promising filly Jewellery is a worthy favourite off her win at his track last time. Does draw the car park though so will need a 10 out of 10 steer from J-Mac. Boss and Walkin’Talkin’ are all racing well and should be included in wider exotics.

Verdict: Geewiz Johnny each-way.