Midweek Best Bets: Find out who the experts are tipping

OUR experts give you an early shot at finding that elusive midweek winner as they look at the major cards around the nation.

Vanbrugh ridden by Blake Shinn, right, just wins race 1 from Chamarel ridden by Sam Clipperton during Randwick midweek races. pic Mark Evans

OUR experts give you an early shot at finding that elusive midweek winner as they look at the major cards around the nation.

Wednesday meetings: CANTERBURY (7 races, start 1.25pm); SANDOWN (LAKESIDE) (8 races, start 1.05pm); SUNSHINE COAST (7 races, start 1.13pm); BALAKLAVA (9 races, start 12.23pm); PINJARRA (9 races, start 2.30pm). AEST times.

WEEKEND REWIND: THE WINNERS AND LOSERS

CANTERBURY

TRACKWORK CONFIDENTIAL: SYDNEY

RAY THOMAS (Daily Telegraph)

PEARLS

Race 5, No. 10

This full-sister to triple Group 1 winner Helmet made a brilliant debut at Gosford last month, unleashing a powerful surge to swamp her rivals. Drawn an inside barrier here and she can settle closer to the lead. This is a race with some depth but she is a promising filly.

JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph)

VANBRUGH

Race 3, No. 8

Is crying out for the mile trip and just about gets it here. Even run, without getting excited, in the Rosebud last month. Chris Waller has bit the bullet and bumped him up in distance immediately. Should react, accordingly.

SHAYNE O’CASS (The Sportsman/Daily Telegraph)

SOOBOOG

Race 1, No. 1

Will go down as one of the shortest priced favourites to lose in the history of racing when seventh of nine at Gosford at $1.10. He had excuses. The brother to Snitzerland was fractious at the gates and lashed out, cutting himself in the process, and stewards noted the presence of blood around the nose area with no signs of external trauma. He was required to gallop 1000m in the presence of a vet/steward and has obviously done that to be allowed to race here. At his best, he’d beat these easily — so I’m putting faith in Team Hawkes to get him going again.

SANDOWN (LAKESIDE)

TRACKWORK CONFIDENTIAL: MELBOURNE

MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun)

JAPHILS

Race 3, No. 5

Classy sprinter who hasn’t started since leading throughout for impressive win at Caulfield on July 25. Drops in weight and looks well placed again.

SIMON MOY (Superracing)

BLACK TOMAHAWK

Race 2, No. 4

Past two performances show plenty of merit as he steps up to the 2400m journey for the first time. In-form jockey Steven Arnold will ensure he has every possible chance.

SUNSHINE COAST

TRACKWORK CONFIDENTIAL: BRISBANE

BRAD DAVIDSON (Gold Coast Bulletin)

SOLDIER OF WAR

Race 4, No. 2

Flashed home to finish second at his past three starts and gets to the mile here and should be hard to beat.

BALAKLAVA

TRACKWORK CONFIDENTIAL: ADELAIDE

BEN SCADDEN (The Advertiser)

MIXOLOGIST

Race 3, No. 3

Good wrap on this gelding before he made his debut for the Jake Stephens stable at Gawler a couple of weeks ago. He was only beaten a couple of lengths into third and gives the impression he’ll improve from that outing. Perfectly drawn in barrier three and sure to be given a gun ride by top jockey Jamie Kah.