Race-by-race preview and tips for Canterbury on Friday
By John Schell
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
5. Eternal 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 strong Warwick Farm victory and she should go on with the job here.
How to play it: Eternal WIN.
Canterbury will host an eight-race meeting on Friday.Credit: Getty Images
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 race start. He’s a well-bred gelding that should take plenty of beating here. 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. 6. Super Eclipse was safely held on debut at this track, but should be better for that experience and can improve.
How to play it: Automne Tree WIN.
Race 3
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. Magnucat was a beaten favourite at Bathurst last time out and can improve on that in this. 7. November Falls was contesting Midway races before a spell and resumes here from the inside barrier.
How to play it: Ragga Ragga 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. 6. Massira comes out of the same race as Weeping Woman and ran second in that event, while 2. Aardvark resumes on the back of two good trials and warrants respect. 5. Mafia raced on the speed and ran fifth in the race Weeping Woman and Massira contested and can give cheek on the speed here.
How to play it: Weeping Woman WIN.
Race 7
3. Walkin’Talkin’ has been in career-best form of late, having won his past three starts 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. 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 maintain that form to be hard to hold out again. 12. Botanica was a winner at this track in January of last year and resumes here after more than a year away from racing. He’s had two trials and bears close watching.
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. 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. 11. O’Ziggy has been racing well with a couple of city placings being followed by a last-start fourth when close up. He should push forward from the wide draw and take running down. 10. Victory Roll was a Wagga winner two starts ago, then was down the track here last time out. He’s capable of lifting on that performance.
How to play it: Go Troppo WIN.
Best bets
Race 1: (5) Eternal
Race 7: (3) Walkin’Talkin’
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au