Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury

A Chris Waller-trained daughter of Merchant Navy had little luck on debut but can bounce back in style on Wednesday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Nash Rawiller will be hoping a for a little more luck aboard Maritima at Canterbury on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

Daily Telegraph form analyst Matt Jones 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 2, No.6: MARITIMA

The Chris Waller-trained filly didn’t get any luck at this track on debut when getting well back and having to dodge slower ones in the straight. That experience will have helped her a lot and with luck she can charge home and win this.

NEXT BEST

Race 1, No.1: ARCH OF TITUS

As soon as he finished second on debut here two weeks ago, I wanted to follow and back him where he ran next as an improved horse. He just needs to overcome the wide gate.

VALUE BET

Race 6, No.2: JAILBREAK

It’s an open race and at $16 he looks a nice each-way hope considering he went close in a Stakes race in March.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 6, 7, 9

Race 5: 2, 3, 4, 5

Race 6: 1, 2, 8, 13

Race 7: 1, 2, 4

Trainers Wayne, John and Michael Hawkes saddle up a number of live chances at Canterbury on Wednesday. Picture: AAP Image

TRAINER TO WATCH

Team Hawkes look to have a few promising horses going around. Marooniyah is a big watch in the sixth while youngster Mutafiq looks above average and Smashing Eagle is a market watch in the third.

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Nash Rawiller will fancy his chances on Maritima, Tidal Creek and Narrated in the last.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR CANTERBURY

RACE 1

It’s a shame that Arch Of Titus has drawn the outside gate but after his second placing on debut here two weeks ago I wanted to be on him wherever he went next. He should have the speed to amble across them and sit outside the leader. Kazalark didn’t do much in his only barrier trial and should be getting back here and running on. Watch the market moves with this colt. Never Fails looks much better suited to 1250m now third-up while Sam Clipperton is on San Lucido for the Snowdens and he trialled up in comfortable fashion. Mutafiq cruised into third in his latest trial and gets barrier two and William Pike has trialled him on both occasions this time in.

Bet: Arch Of Titus to win

RACE 2

Maritima got well back here on debut and didn’t get a lot of luck when trying to make her way through the field. She should come to the races a much-improved horse mentally and physically and Nash Rawiller is on again from a good gate. Musical Affair got trapped wide last week but still ran on well and has drawn better now. Lady Harlem might be over here third-up with a claim. Gilmore will be an improver but it will be interesting to see how she goes up in trip. Pozesana should stalk the speed and get her chance to let down well.

Bet: Maritima to win

Hugh Bowman rides Wolves for trainer Anthony Mountney. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 3

Roma Avenue should jump and take his time getting across and may even lead them into the straight here even though he was taking sits in his first prep. Cotton Fingers trialled up nicely last month behind the handy Petulant who ran second at Rosehill on Saturday. Wolves won both trials this time in and her record doesn’t read great on paper but she was racing in high class Stakes races against the likes of Jamaea and Fangirl and will appreciate this grade now as she looks for a kill. Sirens Star was good on debut on a heavy track and should get the run of the race now.

Bet: Exacta 10, 1

RACE 4

Hide Your Heart is knocking on the door after two seconds this time in and is third-up now so should be at her best. She is on top of the ground though which might be a query. Amen Brother is going to appreciate the step up in trip but is also stepping up on grade. Grecian Lass would’ve won in another stride last time and the step up in trip helps as does the booking of Hugh Bowman. Kirishi should also loves the step up in distance and had excuses on debut when sent out a $3.40 chance. Maralago’s best can put him into the finish here.

Bet: Grecian Lass to win

RACE 5

Tidal Creek is a colt on the way up and has already beaten Tinnie Winnie and Nash Rawiller has already won on him at this track and distance so he’s placed to repeat the past success here. It’s the right time for Reach Beyond to run in town off a very gusty win last time at Scone when racing wide. Kirkeby wasn’t suited by the tempo last start according to James McDonald who said he wasn’t travelling in the ideal position in the run so the ninth placing can be forgiven. Dinado is getting closer to a win with each race.

Bet: Tidal Creek to win

Trainer Annabel Neasham saddles up Tidal Creek. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 6

Marooniyah bolted in her maiden race here seven weeks ago and had to win from the back of the field which isn’t always easy to do at Canterbury. She’s had a barrier trial to tune up and handles wet ground. Snitzonfire is the one they’ll have to catch. He’s had two barrier trials and the blinkers come off for the first time and beat Bend The Knee fresh last time in. Showtime Lady laid in under pressure at Rosehill last time out and was disappointing and was forced to barrier trial before coming back to the races. She must be forgiven because her previous form is good enough to win this. I think Jailbreak is the one to consider at odds in an open race. He went close in a Stakes race in March.

Bet: Jailbreak each way

RACE 7

Narrated will be well supported here dropping back in grade after nearly winning a Saturday race at Randwick three weeks ago and she loves heavy tracks. She does ride 6kg at the weights which is the issue but she’s still hard to deny. Chateaux Park was scratch from a midweek race last week and it looks to be the right move now that she’s on a wet track. Camaguey is knocking in the door and was just beaten by a better one on the day here two weeks ago when he wasn’t fading on the line.

Bet: Quinella 1, 2

Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury