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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Friday’s night meeting at Canterbury. Selections based on a good track.

1. John Dory might have been beaten as an odds-on favourite on debut but he looks as though he’ll enjoy every bit of the extra distance. Fair to say he had his chance at Newcastle but well suited at set weights and chance to go one better.

Dangers: 7. Saloon Passage found herself way too far back when favourite at Kembla Grange at her second start and didn’t do a bad job to finish within 1.4 lengths of the winner. She should also like the extra ground and is worth another chance. 3. Matias did best of the chasers behind an all the way winner at Rosehill first-up in what was his best effort to date. Probably concedes a start from the outside but in the mix. 6. Flaxlands is another beaten favourite heading into this race, she was shunted off the track on the bend at Hawkesbury last time so there was some excuse. No surprise to see her competitive.

How to play it: John Dory WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Daphnes has been a real eye-catcher at the trials on two occasions leading into her first run for the Freedman stable. She was competitive against some handy ones including a close second to Tempted on debut. If the trials translate to race day she’ll be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Namaste kicked off his career with three placings but wasn’t as effective when he returned in May missing a place on three occasions. Gelded and has been asked to work a bit in winning his two trials leading in. Keep him safe. 5. Lontrice has also won two trials and similarly was pushed on a bit in them, noting both were over 900m. Market a guide but happy to have him among the chances. 4. Ichiban Koji ran a couple of fair races in his first preparation the best of them when up to 1350m at his second start. Likely will want more ground but from gate one he has to be respected.

How to play it: Daphnes WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds).

If 2. Pyrolysis has come back a bit stronger then she’s going to be tough to beat here first-up. She hit the line well on debut from well off them then led them up on a heavy track at Warwick Farm and was run down as she weakened. Both trials have been strong and she will run well.

Dangers: 1. Sword Of Legacy is the big market watch. She brings some nice form behind the likes of Tentyris from earlier this year and is now in the Chris Waller camp. Her second trial was quite pleasing and she looks a threat. 11. Vingt Neuf Noir will win a race somewhere this prep. She showed promise in her two starts in very good company last season and while the barrier doesn’t help her no surprise to see her running on strongly late. 6. Champere has trialled well every time she’s stepped out so far and bears close watching on debut from the inside alley.

How to play it: Pyrolysis WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Peschiera has the outside gate but it’s a race that lacks a lot of speed so she should have little trouble offsetting it with the long run down the back. Just the one win to her name from 12 starts but she’s been racing consistently and this looks a nice chance for her first-up.

Dangers: 4. Miss Spacegirl has an honest record and she resumes after not having a lot of luck in a Midway back in June. Recent trial winner, drawn okay and should be competitive as usual. 7. Written Scandal ran well first-up over the 900m then shade disappointing at Warwick Farm a month ago when failing to run on though it was a quick track that day. Claim and inside gate give her the chance to bounce back. 3. Titanium Miss struck a heavy track when resuming at Rosehill and she wasn’t disgraced there a couple of weeks ago. She’s fitter, will appreciate better ground and can show up.

How to play it: Peschiera WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Heuristic looks very well placed if he can run up to his tough effort at Randwick second-up for the new stable. Raced three deep on the speed and kept fighting to run second. Down a couple of grades into this, just needs that touch of luck to find a spot and he should go close.

Dangers: 5. Flightcrew looks to be running back into form having been run down late by Taxation at Rosehill on a heavy track. The inside gate is a plus for her, and if she can hold her form now then she’s around the money. 7. Off The Press is very interesting coming off the back of successive Wagga wins for his new yard. Big effort last time from the back off a wide gate. Draws well here and no surprise to see him measure up as he had some solid Highway form for previous yard. 2. Mafia was a bit disappointing in a Midway at Randwick when right in the market. Blinkers off and tends to put himself in the firing line so could give a sight.

How to play it: Heuristic WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Natural Deduction faces six rivals and he’s as good a chance as any of them if he comes back well. First-up run last time in was pleasing then had no luck at this track in heavy ground before atoning third-up. Hit the line well in his recent trial and it’d be a surprise if he’s not at least competitive.

Dangers: 3. Debello looks to have control of this race from up front and it’ll be up to how he settles as to whether he’ll be run down. He can run along a bit at times. Too slick at Hawkesbury before leading the Four Pillars and running sixth. Go well. 5. Verbil is back a notch in class after getting into third at Randwick behind Midnight Dynamite two weeks ago. Has a good record and should be able to run a race here. 2. Broadway Bouncer comes through the Four Pillars and he ran on when the race was all over into fifth place. Been a while between drinks but this is a race he can run well in.

How to play it: Natural Deduction EACH-WAY ($16 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Blacklist finds a winnable race as he gets up in distance at his third run for the new stable. Won at 2400m at Sandown before switching camps, fresh effort at Port Macquarie was solid back in trip and he was close up at Eagle Farm last time. Draws one and gets every chance.

Dangers: 5. Mediaro had some support at odds when winning at Newcastle a few weeks ago. It was a bit improvement on his previous effort so it’s on him now to hold his form and he could well do that here. 9. Magic Pharoah probably didn’t relish the conditions at Hawkesbury when unplaced as favourite but her previous couple on top of the ground were handy. Not a strong race and can show up. 6. North Terrace is racing well at provincial level with a win and three thirds from his last four. Might have to push on from the gate and is an each-way chance.

How to play it: Blacklist WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds).

1. Istolea Merc lost any chance early in the race second-up at Randwick when favourite. Stepped a shade slowly and was out the back and didn’t run on. Rode the speed when dominant winning fresh and those tactics would make him tough to beat.

Dangers: 3. Balkans has a liking for this track and he ran well into fourth from back in the field in the same race at Randwick. From gate one he’ll get a nice passage and is more than capable of winning. 2. Confess Our Dreams is another to contest that race two weeks ago and she had a torrid run wide out throughout and no surprise she dropped off. Promise of a kinder run could see her return to something like her best form. 5. Apex resumes with a couple of trials and did look good winning the second of them. Generally around the mark and in the top three each time when fresh. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Istolea Merc WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

BEST BETS:
RACE 2 (6) DAPHNES
RACE 5 (3) HEURISTIC.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday’s Canterbury meeting