Canterbury night racing form and free tips, Friday January 20
CANTERBURY is back with another night meeting circuit this Friday and we have form and free selections for every race.
The fields haven’t attracted the big numbers, but the quality is there which should make for exciting and competitive racing.
Some talented up-and-comers kick off the night in the Rewards Handicap at 6.15pm where the big stables are out in force.
Race 1 – Tab Rewards Handicap 2YO (1200m)
Bull Market is on debut for Peter and Paul Snowden and based on its breeding, it should figure in the finish. The two-year-old colt is by Written Tycoon which has sired many recent winners including Winning Rupert. Newgate Farm is in the ownership which reads well and it should be tough to beat.
The John O’Shea stable should always be respected with their debutantes and they line up Marsupial here. The son of Street Cry won a trial leading into this at Warwick Farm and it looks a top chance in this. Expect the bookmakers to open it at a short quote.
San Marco is another Snowden-trained colt which is owned by Newgate Farm. The son of Smart Missile is bred to run quickly as a juvenile and the inside draw is ideal. It will likely use the inside barrier to settle in a forward position and be hard to run past.
Race 1 tip: Bull Market to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 2 – Theraces Maiden Plate (1900m)
Prescience is becoming an expensive type for punters after 15 starts for 10 placings. The Chris Waller-trained gelding didn’t fire when finishing last at Canterbury last start, but it’s better than that and it should offer punters with a good sight in this.
Stablemate Vanell ran on nicely for third last start and Hugh Bowman has jumped off Prescience to ride it. The son of Rip Van Winkle has been asking for more ground and the 1900m looks ideal for this. It has drawn wide in barrier four and the market should indicate its chances.
Waller’s third runner is Monasterio which only battled for third on this track last start. The three-year-old by Savabeel settled back throughout the run, but expect a more forward showing here and it could sneak into the money at each way odds.
Race 2 tip: Vanell to win at Bet365.com
Race 3 – Tab 3YO Handicap (1100m)
Deipara hasn’t been far away in both career starts to date where it has finished third. The O’Shea-trained filly ran third behind Blowing Kisses on debut before pushing Serena’s Pride close last start. The daughter of Lonhro won’t have to improve much to feature.
The name suggests The Cheetah has some speed and it has the right team behind it. The Hawkes-trained gelding is by Wanted and jockey Tommy Berry is one of the best sprint riders in Australia. Watch the tote for any late market support.
Red Hearts is a daughter of Lonhro which went close on debut. The Snowden-trained filly was game in defeat behind the well-performed Cocoexcel at Warwick Farm and a repeat effort takes it close.
Race 3 tip: Deipara to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 4 – ALM R72 Handicap (1550m)
Fortensky ran close behind Token Of Love on this track last week and it should strip fitter for this. The Waller-trained gelding was a classy winner on debut and although it hasn’t won since, it drops to a dangerous weight here from the inside draw.
Zaunkonig is a three-time winner which pushed a handy type close last start. The Snowden-trained gelding won at Beaumont three back and its two subsequent placings are good form guides for this. It has placed in both starts at this distance and it should be included.
Hammond Lame is a consistent type which only needs to improve slightly to figure in the finish. The son of Dreamscape won well at Wyong two back and it backed that up with a third placing on this track last start. Include with Hugh Bowman in the saddle.
Race 4 tip: Fortensky to win at Palmerbet.com.au
Race 5 – Tabcorp R67 Handicap (1900m)
Anthony Cummings lines up Lookin’ At You which won well two starts back. The four-year-old didn’t back that win up with a good performance last start, but this isn’t the best field and it could take advantage of that. Each way chance.
Oh So Unfair is in good form having won its last two from three starts. The Mark Gee-trained gelding finished off well behind Most Exalted last start which should be a good form race and another start on this track will suit. Can’t be ruled out of this.
Mount Omei is an under-performing mare for Chris Waller which looked to have potential as a younger horse. The four-year-old by Fastnet Rock drops in grade after finishing 10th at Sandown last start and the switch to the right-handed way of going might help.
Race 5 tip: Oh So Unfair to place at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 6 – Schweppes R70 Handicap (1250m)
Realise Potential is a three-time winner which drops in grade after finishing sixth at Randwick last start. The Joe Pride-trained gelding is twice a winner at this distance and it looks a good chance to notch its first win at Canterbury.
Tactical Advantage has won its last two starts at age group level and it faces the older horses in this. It has looked good with wins over Good Time Charlie and First Approval, so consider here with only 56kg on its back and Glyn Schofield in the saddle.
Bryneich scored a one-length win over Nemrud last start and that form should stack up well. The O’Shea-trained son of Lonhro finished only a nose behind the winner on debut as a $4 chance and punters should expect a shorter price on this occasion. Carries only 53.5kg which is dangerous.
Race 6 tip: Bryneich to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 7 – Tooheys New Evening Star R75 (1250m)
Pick Me Up resumed with a second placing at Canterbury last start which should bode well for this. The Tim Martin-trained gelding is a winner of two from nine, which also includes two placings, and both wins came at this distance. Needs luck from the draw, but consider in an even field.
Three-time winner Bogie gets the advantage of the inside draw. The Matthew Smith-trained gelding won well on this track three starts back before running a close second behind the talented Bonny O’Reilly. It didn’t cope with the steep rise in class last start, but consider in this.
Tree Of Jesse has taken on much harder fields than this, but it needs to recapture its best form. The James Cummings-trained mare has won four from 18 starts and it was unlucky when finishing last at Randwick two starts back. Went close last start and the addition of Bowman helps.
Race 7 tip: Pick Me Up to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 8 – Ranvet’s Power Formula Handicap (1100m)
Yasnat was the heavily-supported favourite in the Highway Handicap last start at Warwick Farm where it just went down. The Matthew Dale-trained mare had won three of its last four starts prior to that and despite a big weight in this, it should go well.
Madame Lily is a strong type for Team Snowden which is having its first start since August. The four-year-old mare by More Than Ready finished second last start at Warwick Farm and its form prior included a win at Wyong. It looks better than average so it goes into the mix.
Gridelin scored an overdue win at Gosford last start by 1.5 lengths and it could go back-to-back now. The O’Shea-trained filly has plenty of talent when it puts it all together and it should be considered from an inside barrier.
Race 8 tip: Yasnat to place at Bet365.com