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

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

5. External was a winner at Sale on debut at big odds last June. She has since had two trials leading into this resuming run and if she can run up to the debut effort, she should take plenty of beating here. 7. Lutetia was close-up when fourth on the Kensington when resuming from a spell and she looks a major player here with a repeat of that. 1. Island Dec won her first two starts in good fashion and then was midfield in Group 3 grade before a third at Randwick before being spelled. She resumes here after two good trials. 2. La Roja debuted with a a strong Warwick Farm victory and she should go on with the job here.

How to play it: External WIN.

Canterbury will host an eight-race meeting on Friday.Credit: Getty

Race 2

1. Automne Tree ran well when fourth on debut at this track then was only run down late when finishing second at Warwick Farm at his second start in a race. He’s a well-bred gelding that should take plenty of beating here. 4. Sunshine Law ran home well but was just staved off when second at Scone last time out. She can figure in this. 7. Gyra ran second on debut on the Beaumont track and wasn’t far away on the Kensington track following that. 2. Bendrodt has shown talent and is not out of this.

How to play it: Automne Tree WIN.

Race 3

1. Darling Downs is a well performed mare with two wins and three placings from nine starts. She ran well when second at Warwick Farm when last produced and should figure prominently again here. 2. Ragga Ragga has a solid record and ran well in a trial leading into this. 6. Just Glamourous is first-up from a spell here and has had two trials in preparation. 11. Magucat was a beaten favourite at Bathurst last time out and can improve on that in this.

How to play it: Darling Downs WIN.

Race 4

1. Little Baia is a talented mare with a good record, and she comes into this on the back of a last start win at this track. Anna Roper takes the ride, and she has been riding in great form. 3. Hinchinjive won at Newcastle at her latest start and if she can run up to that performance, she should be hard to hold out again in this company. 4. In De Summertime is a winner of five races from 24 starts. If she can run up to that form, then she should be in the finish again. 7. Gendarmerie raced on the speed at Kembla Grange when having her latest start, and she held on well when finishing second, despite being safely held.

How to play it: Little Baia WIN.

Race 5

9. Missile Seeker bolted in when hitting the line well to score a last start win at Kembla Grange. If he can repeat that then he should be hard to hold out again. 1. Fiddlers Green is rarely far from the action and only needs to maintain his best form to be a leading contender here. 12. Atelier is unbeaten from two starts, and she can be prominent again if she can run up to that effort. 7. United Kingdom is resuming on the back of two trials and bears close watching while fresh.

How to play it: Missile Seeker WIN.

Race 6

11. Weeping Woman hit the line well when resuming with a fourth at Warwick Farm. She’s a winner of two from seven and is ready to win again. 8. Catch The Glory won well in the race Weeping Woman ran fourth in, and warrants thought again. 6. Massira comes out of the same race and ran second in that event, while 2. Aardvark resumes on the back of two good trials and warrants respect.

How to play it: Weeping Woman WIN.

Race 7

3. Walkin’Talkin’ has been in career best form of late having won his latest three starts on end at this track. He should push forward again in this event and despite edging up in the weights he can take plenty of running down again. 5. Beour Bay attacked the line well to score a Kensington track win at her latest start and she can be in the thick of things again. 6. Junqueira resumes here after a trial victory, and she has a good record. She can sprint well fresh. 8. Spicy Hotpot has won three races on end and only needs to have maintained that form to be hard to hold out again.

How to play it: Walkin’Talkin’ WIN.

Race 8

8. Go Troppo raced on the speed and fought on well to finish second behind Barazin at this track last time out. He’s drawn well here and is poised to run well again. 5. Barazin had been racing well before scoring a strong win here when last produced. He should be ready to run well again. 1. Lincoln Rocks resumes here and has a good record. He should be ready to run well. 3. Monarchs Brae was a winner here four starts ago and ran second at Randwick two starts back. He can show up if he can run up to those efforts.

How to play it: Go Troppo EACH WAY.

Best Bets: Race 3 (1) Darling Downs.

Race 7 (3) Walkin’Talkin’.

Best Value: Race 8 (8) Go Troppo.

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