3 minute read

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

14. Miss Black Diamond had to do a heap of work on debut off a wide gate and was far from disgraced as she just faded late to be in a blanket finish for the placings. Will need a bit of luck early here but fitter and no surprise to see her in the finish.

Dangers: 6. Maritima makes her debut for the Waller stable on the back of one public trial a couple of weeks ago. Did enough there and you have to respect the stable's two-year-old first starters at this time of year, as we've seen in recent weeks. 9. Spicy Hotpot was a drifter in betting but found the line nicely in her first outing, in the same race as Miss Black Diamond, to run third. Likely gives away a start again but chance if they are running on. 13. Lucky Variety travelled well into the straight on debut before running into some traffic. Wouldn't have won but should have finished closer. Keep in mind. Watch on 5. Ithadtobezou who comes off a nice trial win at Hawkesbury and has found James McDonald to ride.

How to play it: Miss Black Diamond E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

5. Kirishi has found a winnable race for her debut and the market will be a big pointer given she hasn't been seen since a Gold Coast trial back in April. Leading trainer-jockey combination commands respect and has a good chance.

Dangers: 10. Valoria is another first starter and she boxed on quite well in her latest trial at Rosehill. Looks to have some ability and while facing a tricky draw is well worth keeping safe. 7. Sirens Star is from the same family as stakes winner Siren's Fury and wasn't asked for a whole lot in her Hawkesbury trial recently. Drawn well and is one to keep an eye on. 2. Flying Step wasn't disgraced at Bathurst behind a handy filly at her second start. Not a lot of depth on paper in this event so she could measure up with a bit of luck.

How to play it: Kirishi WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

9. Operative looks a talented colt and did something unusual for the Waller youngsters in scoring a runaway trial win at his latest hitout a couple of weeks back. Draws perfectly here and if he runs up to his trial he'll take stopping.

Dangers: 3. Ever Bella showed some promise in her first two starts back in December and is returning on the back of a handy trial at Warwick Farm. Races handy and is one of the major threats. 6. Arch Of Titus has trialled up quite well on two occasions in May and is an interesting debutant. Also drawn nicely and any support could be significant. 8. Contemporary resumed with an even effort at Gosford a month ago behind Resonator after settling near the rear. Scratched at the barrier from a recent assignment. Each-way.

How to play it: Operative WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

2. Colour Sargent has hit the ground running since making his Australian debut back in March and he was strong at the finish scoring at Scone over the carnival. Has a tricky gate to negotiate but looks to be some speed here and he's an each-way chance.

Dangers: 5. Tinnie Winnie led all the way first-up over the 1550m here two weeks ago and she didn't strike a lot of pressure there. Has to have upside and is a logical danger. 10. Yggdrasil is a consistent type and while she has found one better at her past three she tried hard on a heavy 10 here two weeks ago. Sure to be around the mark again. 1. Prompt Prodigy might be back in business after bouncing back to form with a Canberra win second-up. He gets his chance to back that up with an inside gate and improving track.

How to play it: Colour Sargent E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

3. Bartoselli is an up and comer with a handy record who looks well placed first-up. Broke through on a soft 7 two starts back then solid effort to Kir Royale before a break. Trialling up quite nicely, drawn to perfection and is hard to go past. Read trainer John Thompson's comments here.

Dangers: 6. King Kapa can be forgiven for his last start failure where he was never travelling while being pressured to his outside. Merit in his first two runs back so he's well worth another chance. 7. Egyptian Tycoon won nicely on debut in a small field before a fair effort at Scone under 60kg when a drifter in betting. Blinkers go on and has trialled since his last outing. No surprise if he rebounds. 5. Aspen Chase has struck form in easier races with wins at Muswellbrook and Gosford. Races on the pace and won't get a better chance to measure up in town.

How to play it: Bartoselli WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

8. Zain's Girl is racing well and hit the line strongly into a placing at Kensington three weeks ago in a good form race. She will get back and pattern of the day will be crucial but there looks to be some speed here so she might be able to run on.

Dangers: 9. I Call Junee Home gave nothing else a chance first-up off a wide gate leading all the way at Goulburn over 1000m. Obviously harder here but significantly Mitchell Bell comes to town to ride and she's on the way up. Can give a sight. 2. Sunborn won impressively first-up on a Randwick heavy before failing at Rosehill. Inclined to overlook that effort and any improvement in the track should be a plus for her. 7. Lepreezy gets James McDonald to ride first-up so keep an eye on betting after a handy trial performance. Her race form last prep was a bit mixed but worth keeping safe.

How to play it: Zain's Girl E/W ($10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

4. Black Queen caught the eye late when resuming in a very strong form race, closing off into fourth behind Ita at Kensington a few weeks back. Fitter for that, while she might be a run away from really hitting her straps she has to be respected.

Dangers: 9. Karlstad led them up when resuming at the same meeting and boxed on okay for third over this trip. Imagine he will go forward again and with that extra fitness could be harder to run down. 5. Kirkeby looked to have his chance first-up behind Wild Chap here two weeks ago but that was on a heavy 10 so a bit firmer ground will likely be a plus. Has James McDonald again and open to improvement. 7. Camaguey has the outside gate to contend with but there's only 10 runners so it's not as scary as it looks. Racing well at present and tried hard behind Wild Chap third-up. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Black Queen WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.