Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury

A Godolphin galloper will take plenty of improvement from his first-up placing as he steps up to midweek grade at Canterbury on Wednesday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Godolphin gelding High Plateau will prove hard to beat at Canterbury on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Canterbury on Wednesday.

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!

BEST BET

Race 5 No.10: HIGH PLATEAU

The James Cummings-trained gelding was good first-up when third to a handy one at Newcastle over 900m and will be better suited here over 1100m.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No.9: ATLANTIC OCEAN

Closed off nicely from well back for a close second on the Kensington track last start. Drawn to settle closer and ready to peak third-up.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No.6: HELLAVADANCER

Scored a good win in provincial grade two starts back and was game in defeat behind a pretty smart one in Howgoodareyou on the Kensington track last start.

BEST EXOTIC

Exacta Race 5 No.10 from 9

QUADDIE

Race 4: 4, 6, 9

Race 5: 9, 10

Race 6: 6, 8, 10, 13

Race 7: 1, 2, 6, 11

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

As usual, James McDonald has a terrific book of rides and could come away with a handful of winners.

James McDonald can finish up with a couple of winners at Canterbury. Picture: Getty Images

INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

Bravely is a debutant by Zoustar from the Peter and Paul Snowden yard. Has shown nice ability in his trials dating back to last December. Stalked the speed then pulled away to win his latest heat impressively. Ideally drawn and can kick-off with a win. Dimitrov boxed on for third behind Coincide on debut on the Kensington track two weeks ago. Will take benefit from the run. Etched In Time was trapped three-wide throughout and was brave in defeat when a half-length second to Mirra Impact first-up at Newcastle. First Landing is a Deep Field colt from the Team Hawkes stable. Trialling well

Bet: Bravely to win

RACE 2

Hellbent On You missed the kick before driving up to be three back on the rails and was held up in the straight when a three-length fifth to Coincide when resuming on the Kensington track a fortnight ago. Drawn well and will give a sight. Tautou was narrowly beaten into third place behind Spring Lee on debut before being claimed late by How Dare You here on July 26. Will be prominent again. California Sunrise went back to last from her wide gate and closed off nicely near the rails when third to Oz Empress on debut at Warwick Farm back in April. Given an easy time in recent trials. Untouchable Legend drops in grade from her fifth to Caballus at Randwick 18 days ago.

Bet: Hellbent On You each-way

RACE 3

The Milkybar Kid looked like he was going to miss a place after leading last start but kicked back late to finish third behind the up and coming Enotis on the Kensington a fortnight ago. Third-up now and should be ready to peak. Tip Of The Spear worked home nicely when fifth behind Camaguey when resuming at Randwick on July 29 and will take plenty of improvement from the run. Drops in grade and has won second-up previously. Sophia’s Magic also comes back in grade from here third to Mascaret at Randwick also on July 29. Drawn well and will be prominent. Thousand Years gets the blinkers for the first time and can improve.

Bet: The Milkybar Kid to win

RACE 4

Atlantic Ocean went back from his wide gate and finished strongly down the outside for a half-length second to Stromboli over 1100m on the Kensington second-up. Drawn gate 4 here so he can settle a little closer and go one better. Capital Asset raced midfield and made ground in the straight to finish just over a length off stablemate Custodian when sixth on the Kensington track first-up. He is a second-up winner previously and drawn nicely. Sneaky Shark was always well back when last to Custodian two weeks back. Was a handy third to King Of Naples here the start prior and won his only other run at this track. The Swooper has claims on his last-start third here.

Bet: Atlantic Ocean to win

RACE 5

High Plateau came out with just two behind him and was chasing all the way when third behind Our Kobison when resuming over 900m under 61kg at Newcastle on July 29. The winner went on to score at Warwick Farm last week while High Plateau will take plenty of improvement from the run. He is a second-up winner, extra distance suits as does the sting out of the track. Pole Position ran on strongly from near last when a length third to Stromboli on the Kensington track first-up. American President was held up for clear running turning for home and wasn’t able to build his momentum when sixth to Stromboli on the Kensington. Placed one from eight on Good and four from five on soft. Miss Jay Fox drops in grade and isn’t out of it.

Bet: High Plateau to win

RACE 6

Coriolis stepped up to metropolitan grade last start and ran home strongly from well back to score a stylish win from Southern Chilli at Sandown Lakeside back on July 12. The runner-up has since won here three weeks ago. Coriolis gets a nice run on the fence and can continue her good form. Tashi is racing well but has been giving away a start. Held up for a run on straightening when fourth to Ivan’s Hero at Rosehill last start. Back in grade and the blinkers go on. Kahawaty raced on speed and battled away for a length fourth to Petulant at Rosehill 11 days ago. Another back in grade and drawn to run well. Memoria was held up last start so forget the run. Drawn out but more than capable.

Bet: Coriolis to win

RACE 7

Hellavadancer raced outside the leader and held on for a half-length win from Hinchinjive at Wyong two starts back before a game second to the highly promising Howgoodareyou on the Kensington track two weeks ago after settling off the speed. Drawn to get the ideal run and will give this a shake. Sweysive made it two wins from his last three starts with a narrow win from Luvoir on the Kensington last time out. Split those wins with a seventh to Kangaroo Court at Rosehill beaten just over three lengths. Good chance again. Venelope was hampered near the 200m when pushed wider on the track as she was making ground to finish sixth behind King Of Naples at Randwick on July 29. Narrowly beaten by Sweysive when resuming before that. Foujita San will improve from his first-up run behind Brudenell.

Bet: Hellavadancer each-way