Midweek racing tips and form at Canterbury, Wednesday July 26
AS spring racing season approaches the quality of thoroughbreds lining up at midweek level continues to increase.
The fields this Wednesday at Canterbury are packed full of quality midweek types which could look to line up in a stakes race early next season.
We have form and free tips for all seven races on the card which kicks off at 1.05pm with the Ascot Restaurant Handicap where there are 11 runners looking to notch their first career win.
Race 1 – Ascot Restaurant Handicap (1200m)
Smartedge was the short $1.80 favourite on debut at Newcastle where it suffered a narrow defeat, but punters shouldn’t jump off its back too quickly. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained two-year-old might have found the soft track conditions too tough first up and it will get a saloon passage into the race here from barrier three. Late betting money will likely be the indicator of its chances, but we think they are high.
Phabeni is on debut for Godolphin and it will likely attract plenty of support in the market. The son of Commands didn’t show much in its first trial when finishing eighth of 10 runners at Warwick Farm, but it quickly rebounded 10 days later to win by a long neck at Randwick. Trainer James Cummings will likely have it ready to go on debut and bookmakers should open it up around favouritism.
Race 1 tip: Smartedge to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 2 – All Too Hard @ Vinery Handicap (1100m)
Goresbridge didn’t have many rivals to beat at Wyong last start, but it scored an impressive win all the same. The Gerald Ryan-trained gelding scored by almost five lengths as the $1.30 favourite and punters can be assured of bigger odds against this quality field. There are six last start winners in the field, but with the aid of James Innes’ 2kg claim, Goresbridge should be hard to hold out.
Launch Code was no match for subsequent winner Kings Of Leon last start, but dropping back in grade will be appreciated. The Kris Lees-trained three-year-old finished a disappointing ninth at Warwick Farm, but its form prior included a one length win over Tivoli Street, which has also won since. Some easing of the track surface could help its chances and it has drawn to feature prominently.
Race 2 tip: Goresbridge to win at Bet365.com
Race 3 – ATC Member For A Day Handicap (1250m)
Hammoon Dream is looking for its six win from 14 starts and this doesn’t look any harder than its recent assignments. The Lees-trained filly has won twice since April and it finished just over a length behind Long Time Ago on this track last start. Drawing barrier 10 doesn’t make it easy here, but it’s a four-time winner at this distance and there’s a lack of exposed form with many of its opposition.
Chicquita is only a one-win mare, but it has upside and the inside draw. The Ron Quinton-trained four-year-old has been performing well at lower levels this season and it steps up to rating 72 for this, but it gets in well on the weights after the claim from Andrew Adkins and it won’t have to spend much energy off the inside. Punters should expect solid each way odds from bookmakers.
Race 3 tip: Hammoon Dream to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 4 – Tabcorp Handicap (1550m)
Sir Barb scored a popular win last start at Goulburn and it could continue its winning streak. The Clare Cunningham-trained five-year-old has won consecutive races coming into this and it looks to have matured nicely after coming back from a long spell in June. Expect jockey Jason Collett to sit just off the speed and to come with one big run down the outside.
Imanui isn’t suited by the increase in weight, but it brings a fair amount of class into this race. The Quinton-trained four-year-old was flashing home behind Petrossian at Warwick Farm last start and it subsequently drops back in grade for this. The son of Al Maher has yet to finish outside of the money in four starts at this distance and we’re predicting a top effort for the quality gelding.
Race 4 tip: Imanui to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 5 – Bowermans Office Furniture Handicap (1100m)
Missile Coda has yet to suffer defeat in two starts and punters will likely be drawn to the three-year-old. The Snowden-trained filly by Smart Missile has scored two narrow, but impressive wins to date and although this will be its toughest test to date, there’s plenty to like. There are no standout runners among its opposition which helps and it could be able to find a good spot in the field despite drawing wide. Definitely a market watch horse.
Tip Top is from the in-form Les Bridge stable and looks to have potential. The son of Choisir didn’t quite find its best at Canterbury last start, but its form prior included a win at Gosford and a close up finish behind Hypnotist at Newcastle. Dropping back in distance could be a worry, but this field isn’t very deep and it should be well-supported in the betting markets.
Race 5 tip: Missile Coda to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 6 – Tab Handicap (1900m)
Chatelard didn’t carry any support when winning at odds of $21 on debut, but the money will surely come this time around. The Chris Waller-trained gelding flew under the radar when winning by a nose at Kembla Grange and the addition of Hugh Bowman in the saddle indicates that it has shown ability at home. It will be helped by the inside draw and there is only one other last start winner in the field.
Stablemate Korodon shouldn’t be overlooked as it brings good potential into this. The three-year-old gelding finished third on debut at Kembla Grange before beating Estafette at Gosford last start. Estefette has since struggled to win a race in easier grades, but the rise in distance here is ideal for Korodon and it could get a sit just behind the leaders and strike late.
Race 6 tip: Chatelard to win at Bet365.com
Race 7 – Schweppes Handicap (1250m)
Exoteric resumes here having finished down the track in its Australian debut in April. The Waller-trained import was well-supported on that occasion, but it didn’t handle the heavy going. Most of its form overseas came over much longer distances than this, but it has won and placed fresh up and it won’t face an easier field than this. Keep an eye on the betting and follow any positive moves.
Viceroy is a four-time winner from 22 starts and Hugh Bowman sticks with it after winning at Canterbury last start. The Luke Pepper-trained gelding scored by a half length earlier this month and its form prior was consistent. Drawing barrier 15 is going to make it tough, but Bowman is a nice jockey to have in the saddle and it could run well at each way odds.
Race 7 tip: Viceroy to place at CrownBet.com.au