Canterbury best bets, inside mail for Wednesday August 7, 2024

A Bjorn Baker-trained mare had excuses in the only unplaced run of her short career. Has been very good in both recent trials and looks hard to beat first-up. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Bonita Queen can resume on a winning note at Canterbury. Picture: Bradley Photos

The Daily Telegraph and Racenet form analyst Adam Sherry gives his best bets and race-by-race analysis 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 4 No. 7: Bonita Queen

She had no luck in her only unplaced run before bouncing back with a big victory. Trialling very well and can kick off with a win.

Bonita Queen makes it a one act affair!@BBakerRacingpic.twitter.com/Nz95UNpvYT

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 13, 2024

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No. 5: Yasuke

The gelding was much better second-up when a close second over 1400m and will relish the step up to 1550m.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No. 1: Cloudland

Resuming after a Provincial-Midway Championships campaign. Flies fresh and gets in very well with the 3kg claim.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 5: 2, 3

QUADDIE

Race 4: 6, 7, 14

Race 5: 2, 3

Race 6: 1, 3, 6, 7

Race 7: 2, 5, 6

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

James McDonald will be short in the TAB Jockey Challenge with a strong book of rides.

James McDonald will be popular in the Jockey Challenge. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

Mountain Top ran same handy races last campaign including a third to Sensory over this track and distance. Broke her maiden with a big win over 1200m at Newcastle on July 16. Good pace here and gets a nice run from the gate. California Sunrise eased three-wide off the bend to hit the front at the 300m but she couldn’t hold out Serene Nic in a BM72 at Warwick Farm last week. Back in grade and drawn well. It’s A Knockout was good leading all the way on debut on the Kensington.

Bet: Mountain Top to win

RACE 2

Behaviour is a $1.6m Magic Millions yearling by I Am Invincible from Group 1 winner Spright on debut. Sat back and worked home strongly for fourth in his Rosehill trial on July 12. Settled last and went to the line hard held behind runners in his July 23 heat. Axius had trialled very well in both recent heats before a debut second to the bolter Clear Proof on the Kensington on July 16. Will be better for the experience and third placegetter has since won impressively. Pink Shalaa will appreciate getting back on a getter surface after his third to Unstopabull on the heavy last start. Handy second before that.

Bet: Behaviour to win

RACE 3

Misty Legend came from back in the field between runner and getting clear turning for home before exploding away to win by nearly 2½ lengths when resuming over 1000m at Wyong. Was fourth to Cigar Flick over 1100m second-up two preparations back and placed up to 1400m. After Match is coming off a big maiden win. Drawn out and quite possibly be saved for another day but will be prominent if he does run. Lancaster Bomber races well at Canterbury where he has scored three of his eight wins. Has a nice draw and gets in well after the 3kg claim of Zac Wadick. King Gutho isn't without a chance.

Bet: Misty Legend to win

RACE 4

Bonita Queen was impressive winning her maiden at Hawkesbury then had to race without front shoes when third at Kembla before a spell. She has been good in both trials including a win over Terra Mater in her Warwick Farm heat. Zeitung was good in her first two starts without a lot of luck. Stepped up to 1200m at Kembla and blitzed her rivals by 3½ lengths on Apr 9. Under a tight hold when fourth in her Hawkesbury trial before cruising home to win her Rosehill heat on July 23. Flying Rani was just pipped first-up before a freshen up and returning with a closing second to Misty Legend over 1000m at Wyong.

Bet: Bonita Queen to win

The Don! 🇫🇷

Jason Collett and @ANeashamRacing combine to see Don Diego De Vega win at his second start in Australia.

The @tabcomau Lay of the Day gets home. pic.twitter.com/T7ShS1ZUmR

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

RACE 5

The Englishman was terrific when he ran Don Diego De Vega to a head on the soft at Randwick on July 13. Took inside runs as the field got to the outside rail when fourth to Enotis on a the heavy at Randwick last start. Back on soft ground and has run well in both starts here. Demarcay came from thee back the fence when second to Monarch’s Brae over this trip here two weeks ago. Angel Down is much better than her first-up run at Newcastle. Won her maiden then beaten a nose in a BM70 at Caulfield last campaign.

Bet: The Englishman to win

RACE 6

Cloudland looks well placed with the 3kg claim to maintain his excellent first-up record which stands at three wins and two placings from five starts. Beat Shadows Of Love over this trip on the Kensington first-up two preparations back. Was third to Territory Express in the Provincial-Midway Qualifier at Kembla first-up last time in. Flying Destiny has placed his two in this grade at Warwick Farm and here at Canterbury. Will be prominent again. So Good So Cool drops back from Midways at his three starts this campaign.

Bet: Cloudland to win

RACE 7

Yasuke raced keenly first-up over 1250m when sixth behind Oakfield Duke here on July 3. Much improved run when a head second to Little Cointreau over 1400m on the Kensington. Has won over the mile so he will relish the 1550m. Gracilistyla has been freshened and drops in grade from his closing fourth to Rhapsody Chic at Randwick on July 6. He is a winner at this track and drawn to get an ideal run. Noble Conqueror returns to Sydney after four runs in Victoria this preparation. Was a close second at Sandown last time out.

Bet: Yasuke to win