RICHIES BEST BETS
CANTERBURY
WEDNESDAY 26 JULY
RAIL: +3M TRACK: GOOD 4 (4.49)
PLAYS:
Race 1: Following the scratching I’m left with BRAVE SONG clearly on top. His debut run when narrowly beaten by Calculated was very good when forced to circle the field. SPARKY LAD finished near the tail on debut but the run was ok and from gate one today he can improve sharply. PUPPET MASTER the only other hope going off his debut second at Gosford.
Race 2: Only the six runners but is certainly a tricky event. PHUKET was very good last start at Hawkesbury albeit over the 1000m and although he has won at 1100m the last 50m of today’s race is the concern. Drawn to get a perfect run. NICTOCK was drawn wide but after withdrawals he should be ok especially with Bowman aboard. Both runs this time in have been good and looks up to midweek city grade. EBENOS has city form and has trialled well leading into today’s race.
Race 3: Outside of MARIQUITA I found it a very open race. Mariquita drops back from Saturday grade where she has acquitted herself well. The drying out of the tracks has been a bonus for her. I have SHAHRAZAD and NO INTEREST as second and third picks while the 10 KLISSTRA could be the value runner.
Race 4: I thought IMANUI was solid first up when third at Warwick Farm when getting spat out the back early before picking himself up and finding the line. The step up in trip is ideal and I imagine he will settle closer. QUICK DEFENCE is impossible to find having only won two from 23 but again he looks to map well and is racing in consistent form. SPECIAL MISSILE is shooting for three on the trot and although this is tougher he puts himself handy and finds when pressure goes on. The knockout at odds is PLAISIR who was good behind Steyne two runs back before getting rolled at odds on.
Race 5: For mine the hardest race of the day. I settled on MISSILE CODA who was outstanding winning first up at Wyong albeit it was after a 467 day spell. After that amount of time off I do get concerned about being second up. SOMEBODY has won two in a row albeit at Dubbo and Wellington but like last start I imagine they will ride her the same where she goes quick and hopefully holds the chasers at bay. INVIENNA and TIP TOP are the next best but as I said it’s a ‘go the bar’ race.
Race 6: I’m going for a runner at double figures here being MUTARAKEM as I expect there to be a genuine speed throughout and although this bloke has loomed and failed to win of late he will be strong late and I’m thinking he’s good value. The stablemate CHATELARD was impressive winning on debut at Kembla and although this track may not be ideal he gets gate one and Bowman. BASTIA is going terrific and must be respected. His concern is he has failed at his four goes on a good track but a word of wisdom this is a winter good track and there is always give in them. SEBRARIAN will roll forward and I am sure give the others something to chase following a good effort when second in the Grafton Guineas. KORODON and LUCKY LEGEND are next in line.
Race 7: What a race to finish the day. I have very little between 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 & 10. I decided to put MANA on top simply for the fact from barrier one he will get the perfect run. STATIC LIFT is first up and trialled particularly well. VICEROY will need luck from the wide gate but was very good winning here two weeks ago. ONSLAUGHT was fair first up at Wyong but is sure to appreciate the better surface here. I AM IMPRESSED looks the value runner and although he hasn’t fired fresh previously I liked his latest trial when asked to race. DAM READY has been around the mark of late and looks to get a good run.
SELECTIONS:
RACE ONE 1-6-2-8
RACE TWO 2-5-1-13
RACE THREE 5-3-2-10
RACE FOUR 2-5-3-7
RACE FIVE 3-10-2-5
RACE SIX 10-7-1-3
RACE SEVEN 2-4-5-9
Good Luck