Race-by-race preview and tips for Canterbury on Friday

Selections based on a good to soft track.

Race 1 - 6:00PM STUD AND STABLE STAFF AWARDS HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

7. Himalaism’s first career start had merit where he was slightly outpaced before losing momentum at a critical stage when blocked in the straight. He then was solid last start off a 46-day break for trainer Chris Waller and expecting considerable improvement from him third up with James McDonald riding.

Dangers: 12. Street Smarts represents value. He’s been racing against stronger opposition and can settle in a more prominent position from barrier one with only 52.5kg. Forget 8. Psychiatrist’s run in the Breeders Plate (1000m) at Randwick. He was checked and blocked before being eased down because the rider was unhappy with his action. The colt’s latest trials suggest he’s ready to run well and is wound up for this. 3. Nolan will have to overcome a tricky draw but hit the line well first up.
How to play it: Himalaism E/W. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 8 selection O’Mudgee wins at Rosehill Gardens last month.Credit: Getty

Race 2 - 6:30PM MCCREERY PLATE (1250 METRES)

D-Day for 3. Devil’s Throat, who has been narrowly beaten his past two starts since returning as a gelding. He was heavily backed first up from $6.5-$3.5 in the Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m), where he just got too far back from an awkward barrier to just miss in the final few bounds. He had all favours in his latest run on the Kensington track leading at a very slow pace but still sprinted the second-fastest last 400/200m sectionals of the entire meeting in 22.56/11.56 with a 2.45-length margin to third. The three-year-old gelding has dominant ratings relative to his rivals and again can race in a prominent position.
Dangers: 1. Barrichello resumes after a solid trial over a fortnight ago with an apprentice on. He was run to suit at this track and distance first up last preparation when trying hard to run second. James McDonald goes on and looks the main danger. 6. Kahawaty comes out of the same race as Devil’s Throat, and the step up in distance suits second up and trainer Anthony Cummings is in form with 13 out of his last 100 runners winning, striking at 11% profit on turnover. 2. Aircraftman may be looking for further but has been trialling well and gets Hugh Bowman to ride for the first time.
How to play it: Devil’s Throat WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 3 - 7:00PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1900 METRES)

2. Jungle Book was not suited and had a checkered passage when starting favourite last start at this track, distance, and race class seven days ago. It’s worth noting that some of his career peak rating figures have come on back-up runs at Canterbury. He partners with his usual rider Jason Collett, who has had 13 rides for a win, two seconds and three thirds when riding him.
Dangers: 1. Mr Gee must carry 61kg after the claim for Reece Jones but does drop in grade after an honest return first up. He has strong formlines after contesting a QLD Derby (2400m) last preparation and, if he can get luck, will be hitting the line strongly. 5. Handsome King has progressed well throughout his career but must step to the metropolitan level. 4. Songbird won well last start at Hawkesbury over 1800m and has a positive map.
How to play it: Jungle Book WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Race 4 - 7:30PM LOVE THE HORSE HANDICAP (1550 METRES)

10. Pretty Amazing looks a nice type and an improver after winning impressively at Newcastle first up. She was given every chance from barrier one in a slow pace but really asserted her dominance through the line running 22.60 for her last 400m. The three-year-old filly gets a significant jockey change in James McDonald who rides her for the first time. In addition, although up in grade and drawn wide she has key attributes to make the step.
Dangers: 2. Akahata has been not suited in his two runs since returning this preparation. The step up in distance suits with Tim Clark riding and looks ready to peak third up. 4. Supremo was ridden with cover last start and overraced throughout whilst also not having much luck. He gets a senior jockey tonight which can help his manners. 1. I Want One has been winning by big margins on the country circuit and gets his chance at the metropolitan level.
How to play it: Pretty Amazing WIN. Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Race 5 - 8:00PM XXXX HANDICAP (1250 METRES)

A wide-open contest here with multiple runners resuming from spells and late market moves will be a strong guide. 2. Black Duke is deep into a preparation where he has raced in stronger grade and is coming out of time/sectional merit races. He can use his fitness edge by rolling forward from a favourable draw and be given every chance to run well.
Dangers: 8. Gracilistyla has an improver’s ratings profile who has trialled up well, and expect him to be running on strongly. 1. Vreneli has been wound up for this and suspect an aggressive ride with the blinkers off. His career peak performance came at this track and distance. 3. Sammy’s final run last preparation was in the Silver Eagle (1300m) and before that was winning by big margins on the provincial circuit.
How to play it: Black Duke WIN. Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Race 6 - 8:30PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

When relating comparisons and figures relative to other races on the day 5. Embeller is coming out of the highest-rated race on the day from the Warwick Farm meeting back on Australia day this year. The four-year-old mare was honest in that run, and the step back in distance suits. She will need some luck from the draw but has multiple winning ratings for this event.
Dangers: 2. Stormborn led in a fast tempo last start when fending off late challengers to win at Warwick Farm over 1100m. She has been consistent all preparation and expecting another forward showing here. 4. Hibiscus Lady was every chance running fifth behind subsequent winner Sinba last start but does look the map horse. 9. Designer Maid looks the likely leader and can run a cheeky race at odds.
How to play it: Embeller WIN. Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Race 7 - 9:00PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

4. Shadow Bridge mixes his form but his last two runs must be forgiven when sitting wide and working on fast tempos. The prospect of a drier track suits where he can produce his best form. The gelding has past rating figures that align well with his opposition and represents value.
Dangers: 2. Turnstyle has trialled well enough after racing well last preparation. The mare has a strong first-up record and may need some luck from the draw but expect her to be in the finish. 3. Buckin Beauty is another one first up and has drawn ideally to go forward.
How to play it: Shadow Bridge E/W. Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Race 8 - 9:30PM KIA EVENING STAR (1550 METRES)

Bjorn Baker has three runners accepted, and all hold a prominent place in the market. 2. O’Mudgee had the bias against in a benchmark 88 at Randwick when running on well six days ago, where he had to make his final run in the inferior ground. He still managed to clock the fastest last 400m sectional of the race in 23.03. The five-year-old gelding is rock-hard fit and, with a significant barrier change, Tyler Schiller can be positive and get him to race more forward.
Dangers: 3. Monegal’s last start had hidden merit after getting too far back in the run on a day where it was hard to make ground. Her final 200m in 11.17 was the third-fastest individual section of any other horse on the entire meeting. 7. Savoury has a strong starting price profile relative to some runners here, and he ran fast time winning at this track and distance two starts ago. 9. Banger has no weight and barrier one. 10. Saint Of Katowice was wide in a fast pace last start and may be ready to peak third up from a spell.
How to play it: 2. O’Mudgee WIN & 3. Monegal WIN. Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Tips supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.