Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury

Godolphin gelding Andermatt can mantain his perfect first-up record. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Andermatt can maintain his unbeaten fresh record at Canterbury on Wednesday. Picture: Grant Guy

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 5, No.3: ANDERMATT

He’s in a very good midweek sprint race here but he’s at his best fresh and looks to maintain an undefeated record first-up before he looks to head towards Stakes races again.

NEXT BEST

Race 7, No.9: DIAMIL

He would be the bet of the day if he had drawn better but he can still overcome a wide gate and win. He showed a sensational turn of foot to win last time and looks a real talent.

VALUE BET

Race 2, No.6: AFEWCHOICEWORDS

She’s third-up now after hitting the line well as her first two career runs and she’s a horse that should be improving with each run and 1550m looks ideal.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 3, 4, 8

Race 6: 1, 2, 9

Race 7: 4, 5, 9

Race 8: 1, 6, 12

Trainer David Payne has a couple of good chances at Canterbury on Wednesday. Picture: AAP Image

TRAINER TO WATCH

David Payne has three horses racing on Wednesday – Monastery, Fox Fighter and Mahagoni – with the latter two looking to be his best winning hopes.

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Nash Rawiller looks to have a good book with Chipper, Stormy Legend, Too Much Lippy and Dream Runner looking like good hopes.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR CANTERBURY

RACE 1

Brenton Avdulla couldn’t have held on to Zou Tiger any tighter in a barrier trial when looking comfortable. It’s exciting to see what’s under the bonnet here from the inside draw. Chipper had genuine excuses last start when another horse impacted his run in the straight and we never got to see his best. If we do on Wednesday, he’s a real threat third-up. Zougotcha chased home nicely in a barrier trial and James McDonald sticks with her after also riding Zou Tiger in one of its barrier trials and she should get the perfect run in transit from a nice gate.

Bet: Quinella 2, 8

RACE 2

Naval Seal beat home stablemate Barrichello last time and the latter was gaining a little ground late but not much. Naval Seal looks to have more upside at the moment. Stormy Legend has been quite honest so far without winning and he’ll give them a good test again here as a very fit horse. Afewchoicewords wasn’t disgraced behind Stormy Legend last start and will get the suck run in transit and should be looking to pounce late with a leading jockey on board. Not A Single Bid must be an improver at its second start after leading and fading late on debut.

Bet: Afewchoicewords each way

RACE 3

James McDonald has ridden Daralina Belle before and is back on her fresh here. She ran a nice race in the Four Pillars and she looked good behind Lisdoonvarna in a recent barrier trial and she’s won her only first-up run to date so there’s a lot in her favour. Too Much Lippy may have run seventh in a barrier trial but she was under a good hold and she goes well fresh where she beat Stakes-class horse Gin Martini last time in so she must be a leading contender here.

Bet: Too Much Lippy to win

Lightly-raced mare Too Much Lippy will give a bold sight first-up. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 4

Devil’s Throat won here last time out and has had a four-week freshen up and a tick over trial. Tommy Berry rode him at his past two but is on stablemate California Surreal who is am improving type who is building a good record and gets the gun run in transit. Arranmore couldn’t catch California Surreal but is third-up here and an improver on a quick back up now. Omni Man drops back in grade from a Stakes race and won well at provincial grade at his past two so he’s more suitable placed here.

Bet: Devil’s Throat to win

RACE 5

Andermatt did what you would like to see in his barrier trials. He’s undefeated from three fresh runs and he’s very well placed here. Capital Reign carries 3kg less than Andermatt here at his first start at this track but his racing style should suit the circuit and he’s only missed a placing once in nine starts to date so count on a good run. Dragonstone was good last time but just lacked a bit late. He’s got it in him to be running a nice race here at his best.

Bet: Andermatt to win

RACE 6

Made By Khan will be looking to get out to 2000m this time in but that doesn’t mean he can’t win fresh over 1550m on a rain-affected track here. His first-up record is great and his racing style suits this track where he won on at his only attempt. Mahagoni ran on nicely at his Australian debut for David Payne and the booking of James McDonald is a big plus. Put a line through Dream Runner’s fresh run where nothing went right and Nash Rawiller will suit him over his favourite distance.

Bet: Made By Khan to win

Diamil can make it back-to-back wins on Wednesday. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 7

Diamil showed a fine turn of foot to bolt in last start at Warwick Farm but he had the perfect run in transit that day and now he’s drawn out so McDonald’s ride is key and if he can give him every chance the horse can do the rest. Easy Campese has been kept fresh for this and went close to winning at this track and distance a month ago and he appreciates wet ground and gets in with just 53.5kg which is 5kg less than he lugged last time but he is up in grade. Still looks well placed. Irish Sequel will improve second-up over more ground and he’s comfortable on wet tracks.

Bet: Diamil to win

RACE 8

Game Theory hasn’t races here before but does have the racing style to suit the track and if he can get some luck early on and tuck in somewhere he’ll give this a good shake third-up after a slid win at Gosford four weeks ago. The Big Easy has improved with each run this time in and if that continues, he’ll be a contender here from the inside barrier. Jerle is another horse who should improve now third-up and if the track gets back into the soft range, he’s a much better hope.

Bet: Game Theory to win

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