Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury, Ballina
A Team Hawkes-trained gelding is set to kick off his campaign on a winning note at Canterbury despite a tricky draw. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL
Form analyst Mitch Cohen 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.4: MARS MISSION
The Team Hawkes-trained gelding has the talent to overcome the wide gate with the in-form Zac Lloyd in the saddle. Goes well fresh.
NEXT BEST
Race 5, No.4: PUNGO
Highly promising three-year-old from the Chris Waller yard. Can kick off his preparation with a bang.
VALUE BEST
Race 3, No.3: AUSPICIOUS CLOUD
The John Thompson-trained mare is up to her right trip third-up from a break. She’s ready to run a big race.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 4, 6
Race 6: 5, 10, 11
Race 7: 4, 5
Race 8: 2, 3, 5, 7
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Zac Lloyd had a treble last weekend and the star apprentice can continue in the same vein on Saturday.
BALLINA
BEST BET
Race 5, No.8: DULY ELECTED
First starter from the powerhouse Tony Gollan yard. Recent trial indicates she can debut a winner.
NEXT BEST
Race 1, No.4: SILVER CANVAS
Winner of three of his six starts this preparation and can run well again.
VALUE BEST
Race 7, No.10: DAEDALUS
Noted fresh performer. Never missed the placings in three first-up attempts.
CANBERRA
BEST BET
Race 9, No.9: MORE THE MERRIER
Former Queenslander will a stellar winning record. Can debut in style for the new yard.
NEXT BEST
Race 3 No.5: NOVEMBER FALLS
A daughter of Sacred Falls, she will appreciate the step up to 1400m second-up.
VALUE BEST
Race 4, No.5: PURE HYDROGEN
Will get back and will be rattling home late.
THE INSIDE MAIL FOR CANTERBURY
RACE 1
French Endeavour is a daughter of Rubick lining up for her second start. The Matthew Smith-trained filly got out late and was only narrowly beaten by Bases Loaded, which will start as one of the top chances in Saturday’s Group 2 Skyline Stakes. That’s good form for a maiden like this. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have their two-year-olds flying so watch out for Tu Qui Santuzza on debut. She’s trialled well in the lead up and can find a soft lead from the inside gate. Untouchable Legend’s only trial suggests she’s ready to run well at her first start.
Bet: French Endeavour to win.
RACE 2
Rakomelo got the maiden out of the way with a strong Kembla win last time and can go on with it here. That was on a heavy track so the rain affected going on Friday should be no worries. Demiana will start favourite and understandably so off her excellent debut win at the same track. Chris Waller has given her a short freshen up but she’s trialled well since. The fight qualities of Lomandra were on full display in her gritty first-up win and a repeat of that performance on speed will give rivals something to catch.
Bet: Rakomelo to win.
RACE 3
Auspicious Cloud should be ready to peak third-up over a more appropriate trip. The John Thompson-trained mare has put together a pair of OK runs over shorter journeys, finishing third in a most recent mile hit out. Soft track and 1900m are both big ticks. Don Quixote has a win and two placings in four starts this preparation. He’s rock hard fit and can feature again. Wategos got it all his own way out in front to win last start. He will have to carry an additional 4.5kg this time over a trip he’s never been over. Find it hard to dive in at the price.
Bet: Auspicious Cloud to win.
RACE 4
Awesome John can put himself on a path to the Australian Derby with a strong showing in his return. The John O’Shea-trained galloper has a touch of class about him, winning twice and placing four times last preparation. He’s run well fresh and can set the platform for bigger targets here. Were Da Ya Get It was tough breaking the maiden at this track and trip last time. A repeat of that performance would have him around the money again. Owen County was only getting warm late first-up and will appreciate the step up in trip.
Bet: Awesome John to win.
RACE 5
Pungo is a highly promising three-year-old that started favourite in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes last start in the spring, eventually finishing fifth. The Chris Waller-trained galloper is loaded with potential and returns from a break off one quiet trial. Expecting him to kick off a big prep with a bang. Jayanthi is the up and going mare, producing a strong effort to win at Warwick Farm last time. She’s his main danger for sure. Shohei has a win and a second in two first-up runs so you can expect she will be ready to go again fresh.
Bet: Pungo to win.
RACE 6
Ausbred Rising Sun has hardly put a foot wrong in his maiden preparation with two wins and a second in three starts. His latest success over the 1850m at Newcastle was dominant and should set him up nicely for this. Wineglass Bay is yet to win in three Australian starts but is racing well. He looked the winner last time in a narrow second at Randwick and is capable of breaking his duck this time. Lovetheinvasion gets up to his optimal distance range now and can be a sharp improver.
Bet: Ausbred Rising Sun to win.
RACE 7
Mars Mission will need luck from barrier 11 but he’s got the talent to overcome the gate. Few are riding more confidently in Sydney than apprentice Zac Lloyd too. He can get the best out of the Hawkes Racing-trained galloper first-up, where he has never missed the placings from three attempts. It’s hard to knock the form of Diamond Dealer. The Bjorn Baker-trained mare is airborne with two wins and a narrow second to her name last start from her past three runs. If there was a knockout hope, it would have to be Ruby Kisses. She’s trialled OK in the lead up to her return.
Bet: Mars Mission to win, exacta 4-5.
RACE 8
Kazou was beaten at odds-on first-up from a break at the track but not much went right. She jumped awkwardly when the intention was to lead then raced without luck. From a good draw she should settle closer and give this a shake. Junqueira also got beaten at a short quote last time but was only narrowly beaten. A very consistent filly, you’d be surprised if she didn’t run well again. It took a nice one to beat Seven Sisters last start but she put a space on the next best. She’s a nice type and can figure among the placings.
Bet: Kazou to win.
Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury, Ballina
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