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

Selections based on a good track.

Race 1

2. Namaste fought on well on debut when finishing third at Wyong and then followed that up with a last-start game second after racing on the speed and being run down late. He’s drawn wide in this but has the tactical speed to go forward and take plenty of running down. 4. Barbarossa was heavily backed on debut at Wyong and finished a solid fourth after having his chance. He backed that up with a handy second at Canberra when last produced, and he looks to have the ability to give this a shake. 8. State Visit is having his first start in a race on the back of two trials and he finished third in the latest of them at Kembla Grange behind the smart Bel Merci. 11. Custom was only beaten two lengths here on debut and should have derived benefit from that effort.
How to play it: Namaste to win.

Racing returns to Canterbury on Friday.Credit: Fairfax Media

Race 2

8. Scalable was close up in her first two starts when finishing fifth and third at this track, then did the job well when breaking through with a win here last week as favourite. She has plenty of upside and only needs to overcome a wide alley to go on with the job. 6. Pink Shalala has been placed in five of her six starts and should be around the money again. 3. Mostro ran well when placed at Scone last time out and has place claims again. 2. Bravissima has been in good form with three wins on end to her name since joining the Matthew Dale stable, and she has solid claims again.
How to play it: Scalable to win.

Race 3

8. Roses Imminente is lightly raced with two wins to her name from just three starts. She resumes here having won at Dubbo before the spell, and while this is her toughest test, she looks up to it. 9. She Within was a winner at Moruya before a close-up second at Goulburn. She was down the track at Randwick last time out and can improve on that. 6. Master Of Disguise has won her latest two starts at Albury and on the Riverside track at Wagga. She’s fresh for this on the back of a recent trial. 4. Kaihoko resumed with a third at Taree and is not out of this.
How to play it: Rose Imminente to win.

Race 4

1. Sweysive is racing in great form with wins at his latest three starts, the most recent at this track two weeks ago. He is suited by the apprentice claim and the small field. 3. Awash resumed with a midfield Randwick effort and looks a major player here. 5. All In The Mind was placed here last time out behind Sweysive and can be in the thick of things, while 6. Noble Soldier hasn’t been far away of late and can make an impact.
How to play it: Sweysive to win.

Race 5

8. Presley had no luck at all when finishing fourth at Canberra when resuming. He has the advantage of gate one here and step up in distance looks made to order. 4. Sting In The Tail has been racing well with a win and a second at her past two starts and is a leading chance again. 2. Malabar has each-way claims on the back of a couple of solid recent runs, while 5. Star Legacy struggles to win but can be placed without surprising based on his recent displays.
How to play it: Presley to win.

Race 6

10. Koios won with ease at Scone when last produced, and while this is harder, he warrants thought if he can show even more improvement. 8. Darling Downs is a talented mare that ran well when a last-start second at Warwick Farm. She is worth including among the main chances. 9. Etched In Time has looked good in two trials in preparation for this return to racing and a forward showing fresh is on the cards. 11. Tenderize was placed at Warwick Farm when last produced and can run well again from the inside alley.
How to play it: Koios to win.

Race 7

4. Iconic Treasure is building up a good record with three wins and as many placings from just the eight starts. He hasn’t raced since finishing fourth on the Kensington track in September and has had two trials in preparation for this return to racing. He’s drawn wide, but has the talent to make a winning return. 8. Joyner justified favouritism to score an all-the-way win at this track back in November and then ran second on the Kensington track in December before taking a break. She won a trial leading into this. 9. Yankee Rose is resuming from a spell and is having her first start for a new stable having finished third at Sandown in August before the break. She should be primed to run well fresh. 5. Wind Of Change showed improvement at her second Australian run when a last-start second at Warwick Farm and is worth thought based on that effort.
How to play it: Iconic Treasure each way.

Best bets

Race 1: (2) Namaste
Race 5: (8) Presley

Best value

Race 7: (4) Iconic Treasure

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