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The first of two Group 1 features in Sydney on Saturday will see eight talented gallopers chase success in the Canterbury Stakes.
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More Joyous, Pierro and Trapeze Artist are all counted as recent Canterbury Stakes winners, while we witnessed one of the standout performances of the season last year when Artorius came from nowhere to beat Imperatriz.
The Everest champion Think About It headlines the 2024 Canterbury Stakes field and dominates early betting, but will he be forward enough to add another Group 1 to his CV?
I've run the rule over the entire field below in my 2024 Canterbury Stakes preview.
2024 Canterbury Stakes Betting Strategy
► 6 Units Think About It (Win)
1 – Think About It (8)
Simply put, Think About It is one of the best horses currently going around in Australasia, and he's going to take a power of beating again when he takes his place in this Canterbury Stakes field.
Having enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in the autumn and winter of last year, the So You Think gelding ending his preparation with consecutive Group 1 victories in the Kingsford Smith Cup and the Stradbroke Handicap.
Picking up where he left off in the Premiere Stakes in September, he was too good again in The Everest, but was last seen suffering the first defeat of his career in the Giga Kick Stakes.
Two recent trials have suggested he's back in a big way, and he's a clear standout top pick this week.
2 – Pericles (1)One of only two other horses that have gone up at single-figure Canterbury Stakes odds, Pericles has a key fitness edge over his major rivals.
Arguably one of the better horses in Australia that is yet to taste success at the highest level, he was a little flat in the CF Orr Stakes first-up in February, but turned in a vastly improved performance to finish second, beaten a little over a length by Mr Brightside in the Futurity Stakes last time.
The small drop in trip shouldn't be a concern and he is arguably better at the Sydney way of going, with Tom Marquand has options in running from the rails draw.
3 – Coal Crusher (5)
Ended his spring preparation with a career-best performance and win to date in The Hunter.
Returned to action to finish second, beaten less than half a length in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes, but was a little disappointing over this route in last weekend's Liverpool City Cup.
The short back-up might prove beneficial and he is drawn ideally, and the $11 about him in Canterbury Stakes betting (at publish) might prove value, as he does shape as a genuine top three chance.
4 – Bandersnatch (3)One of the rank outsiders in Canterbury Stakes betting at odds of $51 (at publish).
Has picked off some nice races during his career, but is typically at his best in Listed and Group 3 company.
At seven years old, nothing short of a career-best performance would be required for Bandersnatch to win something of this quality.
5 – Malkovich (4)It has been a short while since Malkovich won a race and this is easily the toughest task that he has been set this time in.
Given that this will be his fifth-up run this preparation, there is no denying his fitness, but this does look a bridge too far in current form, and at this point of his career.
6 – Espiona (2)
Espiona is a dual acceptor in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on Saturday but has opened a clear second-elect in Canterbury Stakes betting ($4 at publish).
A Group 1 winner, she has typically found her best form over 1400m and in mares' company, but returned an eye-catching performance to finish third, beaten less than a length by Imperatriz in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes first-up from a spell.
Should this be the way that trainer Chris Waller and connections elect to go with her, Espiona does shape as clearly the biggest threat to Think About It, in my opinion.
7 – Lady Laguna (6)Lady Laguna has returned to the races in career-best form and is a model of fitness ahead of this; just her second ever crack at a Group 1 feature.
Recorded three-consecutive wins, including the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares and Southern Cross Stakes before running into an impressive Zougotcha in the Millie Fox Stakes over 1300m last time.
Everything this time has suggested that she will run well again in the Canterbury Stakes and is another that rates as a genuine top three contender.
8 – Call Di (7)Call Di is the rank outsider in Canterbury Stakes betting.
Having recorded one win in eleven career starts to date, she looks well out of her depth in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes field.
