Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

8. Queen’s Gamble looks to have a more favourable set up than she didn’t two weeks ago first-up in her eye-catching second over the same track and distance. Form through the winner has held up well, she’s fitter and should go close.

Dangers: 6. Lava Flow is on debut for the Baker stable and she’s won both trials in July leading into her first start. She’s been up on speed in those wins and draws to be prominent. Commands respect. 2. Phantom Major attacked the line well at his first start at Newcastle, just failing to snatch the race late. Back 50m but is one of the chances. 1. Yoshida gave a good account in front when run down by Persian Wonder on debut at this track. Just the one trial leading in so likely has upside.

How to play it: Queen’s Gamble WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

7. Glissando was never out of second gear when cruising to an easy win at Kembla as an odds-on favourite at her second race start. No reason why she won’t relish the extra ground, draws the inside and will be hard to catch again.

Dangers: 5. Viva Mauricio beat a subsequent winner when resuming at Hawkesbury but was a bit disappointing on testing ground at Rosehill when right in the market last time. Must forgive that, he can run well. 1. Namaste was beaten out of a placing as an odds-on favourite at Kembla second-up, he did run on but couldn't reel them in. First-up run was handy, smaller field and kinder draw may see a turnaround. 3. Saloon Passage is on the back up after racing on Saturday where she was disappointing. Maiden winner prior and could bounce back.

How to play it: Glissando WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds).

4. Harry’s Evidence has a handy first-up record and returns with a handy trial win under his belt. He can find himself back in the field at times, which is a small concern, but with a genuine pace looking likely he might have the chance to pounce.

Dangers: 10. The Main Event is often big odds but he rarely runs a bad one and wasn’t disgraced when resuming in a Highway at Rosehill on heavy ground. Firmer going should suit and he could surprise. 6. The Little General started favourite second-up in a similar race two weeks ago and weakened after leading. Held on to score first-up and could bounce back. 2. Gambler went for home on the turn second-up at Hawkesbury and was reeled in late. Form can be mixed but has a show.

How to play it: Harry’s Evidence WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Aethelwulf is set to start a short priced favourite on the back of a runaway win over the mile at Kembla Grange when back onto a good track. Up in class and distance but looks a promising stayer and is the one to beat.

Dangers: 5. Dubai Warrior has a handy record and his win third-up at Wyong over 1600m contained plenty of merit. Go forward type and no surprise if he measures up. 3. Forbidden Riff is a lot better than his recent efforts would suggest and he comes back in class after a few Saturday runs where he’s not always had the best luck. Drawn okay and best is good enough. 2. Kapakiri pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia when he ran last two weeks ago so that can be ignored. Bobs up now and then and couldn’t leave him out.

How to play it: Aethelwulf WIN ($1.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Brown Sugar showed early promise with wins at her first two starts before jumping into a Listed race. Her trials have only been fair on wet tracks but her form on good ground is solid. Drawn well and with the claim has her chance to show up fresh.

Dangers: 6. Raskol has been a bit disappointing of late but perhaps getting away from the wet tracks will help her. 14. Stubborn Emmelie is lightly raced and was a maiden winner in March. Trialled in the same heat as Harry’s Evidence and from the soft draw is an each-way chance. 15. Miss Emma posted an upset win at Kensington three runs back before a failure when up in class. Game effort last time out in a similar contest to this so could give a sight.

How to play it: Brown Sugar EACH-WAY ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

6. Clear Proof signalled another win might not be far away with a game second two weeks ago behind Watson. Big gap to third. Rolls forward and races best when on speed, close to peak now with three runs back and sure to be a major player.

Dangers: 10. Silencio Porfavor romped home at Newcastle then found himself on the fence when a close up fifth at Rosehill behind Columbia Blue. Firmer ground helps, draws well and no surprise if he’s in the finish. 1. Snack Bar is up 4.5kg on his second in the same race and he finds James McDonald and barrier one. Seems to react to being saved for one run and may have that chance from the draw. Very short price though. 4. Rimbaud has struck form with a Wyong win and followed it up with a handy second at Warwick Farm. Each-way chance again.

How to play it: Clear Proof EACH-WAY ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

1. Conchiero backs up after a solid third from on the speed at Kensington last week and if anything this race may have a bit less depth. He’ll put himself on the speed as usual and if he can get some early breaks should take catching.

Dangers: 11. Sister Daae doesn’t win out of turn but the form around her is handy with a third behind Satono Jasmine a few weeks ago. Just the one win in 17 but can’t leave her out. 12. Dorados is fitter for a first-up placing at Wyong when run down by Sponars. Will continue to improve as the distances increase. 7. Standard Deviation is a big market watch first-up since March with the Waller/McDonald combination and soft gate.

How to play it: Conchiero WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

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