CANTERBURY

 

FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY

 

TRACK:            GOOD 4                       RAIL:    +3m

 

 

 

BEST BET:       

Race 8             No.3    SO HARD TO CATCH

 

VALUE BET:

Race 3             No.5    REIBY THE RED

 

 

 

Race 1

2 – 1 – 4 – 3

It looks a benefit race for Chris Waller and it’s never easy to sort out stablemates but I’m sticking with the horse I have raps on SCHOOLMATES who ran second on debut and I think it was only inexperience that cost him victory. Asterius gets the blinkers on and should get the perfect tag behind the speed and be a major player. Kookabaa is becoming costly for his followers but from a soft draw here he could easily sneak up on them and go bang late.

 

 

Race 2

2 – 6 – 5 – 8

QUEEN OF HEIGHTS is racing in terrific form and from barrier one is sure to get the run of the race and as long as she can get rolling coming the turn she will be hard to hold out. There looks enough pressure up front to ensure she will relax and be able to use her turn of speed then her ability to sustain it. Gaytime Girl gets gate two and although she only comes a class 1 at Kembla I think it was a handy race and again with a soft run she will be dashing at them in the run home. Tennessee Hussy made up good ground here last start when the race was dominated by on-pacers but I expect her to race a closer here.

 

 

Race 3

5 – 3 – 2 – 1

I really think REIBY THE RED is good value here especially from a good draw where I imagine she will take the sit on the back of the favourite and hardest to beat Jemadar. Reiby The Red has raced against better opposition only last preparation when third behind Arbeitsam and Kingsguard in the Rowley Mile. If he finds anywhere near his best second up here he will give this one hell of a shake. Jemadar got the blinkers on last start and was impressive in rolling forward and getting the job done. Francesco has won four times in his career with three of them here at Canterbury including a last start solid victory. Karavali is the other knockout first up off a 97 day break and although better suited over further expect to see her race well at the 1550m first up.

 

 

Race 4

7 – 3 – 6 – 5

With the scratching of her stablemate Pendeloque I have lost a little bit of bullishness but I am still keen on PROBLEM SOLVER to be able to run over them here. She was terrific in winning the big maiden on the Gold Coast and then backed that up with a good second behind Charlayne at Rosehill. Deprive created a good impression winning on debut at Warwick Farm back in October and comes here off the back of two smart barrier trials. It looks a classic two horse race.

 

 

Race 5

4 – 1 – 5 – 10

Disappointing that my best of the night MALAIGO is a scratching. as it leaves ARGENT D’OR as a short-priced favourite. Argent D’Or who is third up so he should be cherry ripe and as long as he gets clear room from the top of the straight he is sure to chase hard and looks to have the others covered but the lack of speed on paper does concern me..

 

 

Race 6

6 – 1 – 3 – 4

ALLEZ BIEN will likely cross and lead or at worse sit on-pace and the simple fact is if she can run a strong 1900m she will be terribly hard to beat. She is low flying at present having won her past two albeit at the mile so tonight is another kettle of fish. I am banking on at the value that SEA SHARP will hopefully take the sit on Allez Bien and then be able to gun her down late with that economical run. If you can forgive Atlantic Fox for his last run and go on his previous effort when running second at Randwick he is a major threat here. The chances don’t finish there with Resort coming off two good wins albeit against moderate opposition. Red Dubawi who drops back in grade for this can surprise.

 

 

Race 7

5 – 6 – 4 – 3

VICEROY loves Canterbury having won three from four as well as being two from two at this trip here at the track. There looks good speed and on paper so if this gelding gets his chance to wind up he will come hard in the home straight. Lake Lugarno went very quick last start at Warwick Farm when gunned down by Once More A Lady who won again on Wednesday at Warwick Farm and if given any sort of breather up front here she will be hard to get past. Ziggy Willie will get back but will be charging hard late and it’s hard to leave out Satirical Magic who has won four times at Canterbury.

 

 

Race 8

3 – 1 – 4 – 9

The Mark Newnham stable is on fire of late and this mare SO HARD TO CATCH can continue the good run by backing her last start victory at Newcastle with another win here. She should bounce and find the top and if she gets a fair run up front is sure to give them something to chase. Kopite was coming off country form last start and was unfancied here two weeks ago when a closing third behind Hillary Step. From a soft gate here she will get an economical run and give plenty of cheek. Forbidden Kisses also comes through the Hillary Step race where she was honest giving her a knock out chance here.

 

 

Quaddie:

 

1^st leg:             4

2^nd leg:             1 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6

3^rd leg:             3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7

4^th leg:             1 – 3 – 4 – 9

 

Cost $50 = 50%