Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury

A Michael Freedman-trained gelding is well placed dropping back in grade and can break through for his second career win at Canterbury. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Bunker Hut looks well placed to score at Canterbury on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas 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 3 No. 2: BUNKER HUT

Bunker Hut charged home for a close second when resuming at Kensington then ran unplaced in the Sunshine Coast Guineas. He’s back to his right grade here and will go close with even luck in running.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No. 3: FULLER

Fuller’s first-up effort was impossible to miss as he finished fast for third after being hopelessly held up for most of the home straight. Fitter for that run, steps out to a more suitable 1550m and is ready to win.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 16

Race 5: 4, 5, 6

Race 6: 1, 5, 11, 12

Race 7: 3, 8, 11

Nash Rawiller looks set for a big day at Canterbury on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Nash Rawiller has five good chances at the Canterbury meeting including Power Ballard (race 1) and favourites Parade Ground (race 2) and Fuller (race 7).

TRAINER TO FOLLOW

Chris Waller has a powerful entry of 12 runners across six races including Tutta La Vita (race 1), Congregation (race 2), Beautiful Heart (race 6) and Fuller (race 7).

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR CANTERBURY

RACE 1

Zoukerette looks the one to beat. She has been competitive in her three starts and tried hard when third to subsequent stakes winner Zia over 1200m here last start. Drawn the inside gate and coming back slightly in trip is no concern. Power Ballard has shown plenty of speed in both her trials. She was eased down in the straight in her last heat but will make a race of it with the favourite. First Person is a superbly-bred filly making her debut after a very easy Muswellbrook win. Tutta La Vita is bred to get over further but she will be finishing fast.

Bet: Zoukerette to win, watch market moves for Power Ballard

RACE 2

Congregation, a $2.25 million Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase, makes his debut off two easy trials. Superbly bred by Snitzel out of Response, both Group 1-winning sprinters, which makes this colt a full brother to Golden Slipper winner Estijaab and the talented Remarque. Congregation is drawn to get every chance and will go close. Ramius got to the line strongly late for third at Wyong on debut and is suited getting out to this trip. Absolute Power ran second (Ramius third) at Wyong after being three-wide and exposed throughout. Parade Ground is resuming but impressed in his recent trial win and is advantaged by the inside barrier.

Bet: Congregation each-way

James McDonald will partner Bunker Hut on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 3

Bunker Hut ran a blinder first-up to just miss at Warwick Farm then had excuses when unplaced in the Sunshine Coast Guineas. Back in grade here and despite being awkwardly drawn he is the one to beat. I Am Jade was eased out of the race when she made a slight respiratory noise at this track earlier this month but she has since trialled well and could easily bounce back. Consenza won well first-up and looks an improver. Surfers Royale is never far away this grade.

Bet: Bunker Hut to win

RACE 4

This looks a match between Master Copy and Queenmaker. I have a slight leaning to Master Copy who was second-up and had his chance when third to Naval College and Queenmaker at Kensington two weeks ago. Fitter for recent racing and the step up to 1900m will suit. Queenmaker is holding her form. She races on speed, making her own lucky and will be hard to hold out. Alberich has been unplaced in four attempts this campaign but wasn’t beaten far last start and is over the odds. Fluer Du Monde comes out of the Naval College race where she ran fourth and James McDonald is staying with the filly.

Bet: Master Copy to win, saver on Alberich at odds

RACE 5

Celestial Spirit made a race of it with a promising horse in Grebeni last week, going under by a half-length. She’s a tough filly with tactical speed, drawn to advantage and is bursting to win a race. This is her chance. Beautiful Heart won her maiden at Hawkesbury then failed in a stakes race at Gold Coast but is back to her right grade here. Estilette has returned in top form this campaign and is well weighted after the claim. Azarmin is a genuine mare, races well this track and has each way claims.

Bet: Box trifecta 2, 4, 5, 6

Turning can make it back-to-back wins when he heads to Canterbury. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 6

Turning shouldered a big weight but still proved too good for a handy field in a Midway at Gosford last start. He was only second-up that day and will be further improved. Turning is building an impressive record with five wins from 12 start, he has won over the Canterbury 1250m and gets the advantage of a 3kg claim. Welcome Gypsy just missed her hat-trick of wins last start and will be hard to beat again. Principessa is a very consistent mare and will be in the finish again. So Good So Cool gets back in his races but this race should be run at a solid tempo and he will be charging home.

Bet: Turning to win

RACE 7

Fuller was bolting behind a wall of horses in the straight and only got out into the clear about 120m out and charged home for third when resuming at the Kensington track. He should have been right in the finish two weeks ago, strips fitter now and suited getting out to 1550m. Flashing Steel won well over 1500m last start, he’s very fit and is drawn to get the run of the race. Iron Man is eligible for easier races and has to prove he can 1550m but he’s racing well. Pacific Warrior can mix his form but is down in the weights and drawn to get the right run.

Bet: Fuller to win, box trifecta 3, 8, 11, 12