Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury

A promising three-year-old was impressive winning his first start for Chris Waller and looks tough to beat again. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Democracy Manifest can make it back-to-back wins for new trainer Chris Waller 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 7, No.14: DEMOCRACY MANIFEST

He came to Chris Waller with good country form and he’s turned him into a city winner straight away and he should go on with it again after winning first-up with a bit in hand.

NEXT BEST

Race 6, No.6: BILLIONDOLLARBABY

She won two nice races to kick off her career but has been off the scene for a while. Her barrier trials suggest she’s coming back ready to win at a track she’s already had success.

VALUE BET

Race 5, No.2: DR EVIL

The wet track gives him his chance to win in town and he really thrives over this distance. If he gets near double figure odds it’s good value.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 6, 7, 9

Race 5: 2, 3, 5, 9

Race 6: 4, 5, 6

Race 7: 9, 14

James Cummings can start the day with a winning double. Picture: Getty Images

TRAINER TO WATCH

James Cummings only has horses in the first two races but don’t be surprised if he wins them both. Selous and Kin look the leading picks.

JOCKEY TO WATCH

Alysha Collett looks to have two good chances with Taurasi in the third race and Short Shorts in the fourth event.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR CANTERBURY

RACE 1

Zambezi River is back off a long break and has a winning barrier trial against Metallicity. He has the tongue tie on for the first time and barrier two here under James McDonald. The wet track is the concern. Selous looked great in a winning trial. It was on a synthetic track but he’s drawn well and should get every chance to win on debut for a powerhouse stable. Northern Beaches didn’t trial badly and should be stalking them and having the last crack. Shalaied has the race fitness on his side which is a big deal on these testing tracks and shouldn’t race badly second-up. Ambassadors gets all the favours on debut from the barrier and has a top team behind him.

Bet: Selous to win

RACE 2

Kin was first-up in a pretty hot race at Group level and drops back to midweek grade. She obviously improves second-up with fitness but needs a good James McDonald ride from a wide gate to win. Pierossa has the blinkers on for her debut and trialled up like she had a bit in hand which bodes well for her first run. Writrose was beaten last time but peaks third-up and she handles wet tracks and Tim Clark will rate her well from a good draw and give her every chance. Portray has been given two barrier trials and should be primed for a good performance here but does have a wide gate. The jockey is in form though.

Bet: Kin to win

James McDonald dons the Royal Blue silks of Godolphin when he partners Kin on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 3

Taurasi looked like she had her first-up run won twice in the straight only to get beaten in a photo finish. She’s obviously going to take a lot out of that fitness-wise and she won’t be making a wide run this time from the inside draw. Marooniyah comes into this off two seconds on very testing tracks so the build up to this race has been ideal. She can get back so it will be interesting to see if Canterbury is her type of track. The blinkers now go on Brechen after he flopped on debut when well backed. Aircraftman didn’t get a lot of luck last time but still fought hard and he will test them again.

Bet: Taurasi to win

RACE 4

Short Shorts won with ease at Hawkesbury two runs back and then not much went her way at Stakes level four weeks ago at Randwick. She’s well placed against her own age and draws to get the ideal run so look for a bounce back. Chappelli has led his past two but that hasn’t been the plan so expect him to look to take a sit midfield to get the best out of him. Barrichello won here two runs back and has placed on three more occasions at the circuit and has James McDonald back on. Wild Chap won here at his only run and is in the right form to go well here once again.

Bet: Short Shorts to win

RACE 5

Sea Treasures ran fifth in the ATC Derby four weeks ago and Bjorn Baker is a master of bringing horses back in trip and winning with them. He’s obviously got the class on his side. Dr Evil did beat him three runs back and they meet again and he loves wet tracks and gets an easy run in transit from the barrier. Chilko Lake was a solid winner at Warwick Farm last time but is going from 1400m to 1900m. It’s normally a query but she does like to get over ground.

Bet: Dr Evil to win

Billiondollarbaby can resume with a win on Wednesday. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 6

Billiondollarbaby looks to have come back in good order after making a bright start to her career which included a win over Port Louis at this track on debut and another win over Shihonka who is now racing in Stakes events. Washington Towers is in career-best form after winning both races this time in at Canberra and it’s the right time to come back to town and he’ll look to lead all the way here. Warrior Hero ran against some handy types in a barrier trial and he hasn’t missed a placing fresh and has been a model of consistency to date so back him to give this a shake.

Bet: Billiondollarbaby to win

RACE 7

Democracy Manifest already has a reputation and punters will be hoping he can end their day on a winning note here. He was impressive in winning at his first run for Chris Waller and he’s placed him to be winning again here up in grade from a top barrier. Ka Bling got a pass mark here first-up and he has a second-up win to his name already so look for an improved horse. Mosht Up saves its best for this track and generally flies under the radar.

Bet: Quinella 9, 14

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