CANTERBURY

FRIDAY 2 MARCH

TRACK:  SOFT 5 (5.1)             RAIL:    TRUE

 

 

 

 

BEST BET:       

 

Race 1             No.1    SO YOU WIN

 

Race 4             No.3    ITS TIME FOR MAGIC  

 

Race 5             No.8    DOMED

 

 

 

Race 1

1 – 2 – 5 – 3

SO YOU WIN could easily develop into an ATC or Qld or S.A Derby horse but things won’t easy tonight at the 1550m a distance I think well short of his best. That said his effort last start here was ultra impressive and I think as long as he’s intact with them at the 400m he will be too strong. My big worry is if it becomes a sit sprint but hopefully Glyn Schofield is alert. Pandemonium has always had a big rap on her and tonight is the night she must stand up and say, ‘I’m here’. Smiling Manolito has run two solid races this time in and must be thought of as a player.

 

 

Race 2

2 – 3 – 8 – 7

LENINGRAD turns up here on debut as a late 3yo by the popular Snitzel from the Waterhouse and Bott yard. His two trials this year have looked fair superior to what we saw twelve months ago and if he can jump and find a way to be on-pace he will fight. My Zebrinka returned with a good effort behind Swaffham Bulbeck at Randwick who was beaten yesterday in a Class 2 at Newcastle. The soft draw will help him here enormously. Prahaar was home on debut at Randwick before taking a left hand turn and dislodging Jason Collett. She has trialled again to satisfy the stewards so must be considered a player here. Palmateer gets barrier one and did enough at her initial preparation to suggest she has ability and looms as a player here.

 

 

Race 3

4 – 3 – 5 – 6

Good competitive race with nothing much between Weekend Affair, Planet’s Princess, Budderoo Knight and my top selection ALL BUT GONE. Trainer Damien lane has added the blinkers to the gear of All But Gone to help him be a little sharper and then concentrate when being asked to find the line. Budderoo Knight only needs to repeat his effort here last start when running along up front and giving a big kick. Planet’s Princess is shooting for three on the trot while Weekend Affair has been around the mark of late and is sure to be in the spoils again here.

 

 

Race 4

3 – 2 – 1 – 7

ITS TIME FOR MAGIC is now in her second Australian campaign and I was taken with her first up effort when beaten a half length by Once More A Lady. It’s a simple equation tonight for the mare, as long as she repeats that run she will get the job done. Mariquita is a Saturday class mare and although this distance is short of her best and the map looks against here her class will have her in the mix. Hammoon Dream has been in good form albeit out of town but from gate one here she is capable of figuring in the major spoils.

 

 

Race 5

8 – 1 – 2 – 4

DOMED should have won last start when coming from a mile back to get beaten less than a length when luck eluded her in the first part of the race. Blake Shinn takes over and from a good gate she should stalk the leaders and go bang and I think win. Multifacets is the proven runner in the race and with now three runs back looks the logical danger.

 

 

Race 6

9 – 4 – 5 – 3

HONG QIGONG looks to get his chance to return to the winner’s circle having drawn a perfect barrier and following two runs back from a break he should be ready to fire. This race looks a fair bit easier than his latest where he was only beaten 1.7 lengths. Malaigo was supposed to be on the way to Asia but things keep popping up so he comes back to the races. His effort behind the promising Legadema was good last start and if he can roll forward and get control here he will be awfully hard to get past.

 

 

Race 7

3 – 1 – 6 – 4

This race has me confused to the degree that I think a few aren’t exactly genuine and a few others are hard to catch. I’ve got QUICK DEFENCE on top that caused an upset last start in better grade at Randwick but can he put together. If he can he will be charging hard late and he hard to hold out. Pelethronius was beaten just over a length last start in a tougher race and must be given serious thought here even with the impost of 61.5kg after the claim for Jean Van Overmeire. Sir Barb showed a return to better form last start and therefore looms as a player here but the chances don’t finish with them.

 

 

Race 8

5 – 10 – 3 – 7

VINCERO has only started four times but already created a nice opinion and he turns up here fresh off two good barrier trials. The speed looks fair which should help him and if given clear room he will be hard to hold out. Floki looks the big danger to my eye as I think he is well and truly a city class horse. His recent barrier trial was eye-catching so I expect a forward showing.

 

 

Quaddie:

 

1^st leg:             8

2^nd leg:             4 – 9

3^rd leg:             1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 6 – 7 – 10

4^th leg:             5 – 10

 

Cost $28 = 100%