CANTERBURY
WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST
TRACK: GOOD 3 (4.52) RAIL: +6M
BEST BETS:
Race 2 No.1 PRESS BOX
Race 3 No.3 ALLCASH
Race 1
1 – 6 – 4 – 5
WAGNER has raced three times for three placings and it was around some quality youngsters. He resumes here as a 3yo off the back of a nice barrier trial with the most impressive part being the last part of the hit out when asked to go he quickly left the others in his wake. No doubt the one to beat but though even money was a little tight. Vendome has raced once albeit in a group 3 when finishing just worse then midfield. The raps have always been on this colt so watch the betting ruing for a guide. Bondi Boy and Burbank are no slouches and could easily give some cheek.
Race 2
1 – 2 – 5 – 4
If PRESS BOX is ready go first up here I think she wins on class alone. She has only raced twice and competed good but she looked as though she didn’t understand what she had to do. A nice spell and a race with a genuine tempo she will be attacking the line hard. Call Me Royal was found wanting late first up when collared late at Gosford but with that run under her belt expect a bold showing here. So Taken raced twice in New Zealand earlier this year before coming to the Chris Waller yard. Her trials have both been very good here so watch the betting I suggest. Bring The Magic was very good here on debut when just behind the highly touted Miss Fabulass and from barrier one with Bowman she deserves thought.
Race 3
3 – 1 – 4 – 2
SEGENHOE will likely stroll to the front and be hard to beat coming off a very good win at Randwick in a far better grade than he meets here albeit he carried 53kg that day and now has to lump 61kg. Plus it’s an extra 300m but that said the first half is usually a stroll unless someone decides to have a crack. His big danger and a horse that I think will love the 2700m is ALLCASH who has been consistent without winning and with a 6.5kg pull in the weights he will be coming hard at Segenhoe in the final few hundred metres.
Race 4
7 – 1 – 5 – 2
SCRATCHES is just starting to hit her straps and I am sure will continue to race well and win plenty more races. She was dominant last start albeit in moderate grade at Hawkesbury but from barrier one here she will take some beating. Decroux will lead and be difficult to run down as he cruises at a solid tempo and keeps running. Makdanife never got in the hunt last week so expect a better showing here on the seven day back up. Tamarack and High Bridge certainly have a winning chance as well.
Race 5
2 – 4 – 7 – 3
FALCON ISSLAND and Gauguin ran the quinella here two week ago and to my eye they look the hardest to beat again. Falcon Island didn’t lead as usual showing he can sit then attack but maybe today he leads and Gauguin sits on him either way he will give a sight. Francesco has had two runs back and looked in need of them so don’t be surprised if he jumps out of the ground here. He’s A Given gets barrier one that will allow him to stalk the leading two and then have a crack. Scream Park will be improved with two runs back while Keep Up will have derived plenty of benefit from his first Aussie start.
Race 6
3 – 4 – 6 – 1
ESPERANCE was very good here three weeks back when resuming off only the one trial. Only a small field here but there looks plenty of speed which should allow him to settle then come hard. Metamorphic looks a danger having won here three weeks ago and is versatile that he can race on-pace on back. Junglized is quick and give a sight while Red Rover resumes as a gelding.
Race 7
1 – 9 – 3 – 11
With Ms Rodarte withdrawn I think PANDEMONIUM even with 63kg and it being 1200m can push forward and hopefully control the race. She resumes off two strong trials and is sure to run well. Madam Rouge is also first up with two trials and even though drawn wide she shouldn’t have too many dramas rolling up on the speed. I’m sure jockey James McDonald will be looking to use the 7kg weight pull over Pandemonium to his advantage. Tarabai gets gate one and will stalk the leaders and is a major player following a solid first up run over 1100m here a fortnight ago.
Quaddie:
1st leg: 1 – 2 – 5 – 7
2nd leg: 2 – 4
3rd leg: 1 – 3 – 4 – 6
4th leg: 1 – 3 – 9 – 11
Cost $64 = 50%