Saturday racing at Canterbury with form, odds and free tips
A wet Canterbury is expected this Saturday, but that shouldn’t deter punters as there are nine quality races on the card.
With no major race at the meeting the wealth has been spread around evenly, which has created nice betting fields for the keen punters looking to make some serious Saturday cash.
The day kicks off nice and early at 11.40am with the Happy 70th Birthday Martin King Handicap, where the unbeaten Thronum is the current favourite.
Race 1 – Happy 70th Birthday Martin King Handicap (1200m)
Gai Waterhouse lines up Thronum, which has looked very impressive in winning its first two starts. The two-year-old colt won narrowly on debut at Kembla Grange, but destroyed a handy field at Randwick by three lengths last start. It spaced Morton’s Fork, which has since won, and that form will be a strong form guide for this. The $2.90 is a fair price.
There was nothing wrong with Tango Rain’s debut win on this track despite bookmakers not giving it much respect at $8.50. The Gerald Ryan-trained colt scored by a length in similar track conditions and although this is a step up in class, it looks to have a nice future.
Hair Trigger was impressive in winning at Wyong last start and it has been well supported at $5. The James Cummings-trained gelding has drawn awkwardly in barrier 11, but Hugh Bowman takes the ride and it should be considered based on the amount of support it has received.
Race 1 tip: Thronum to win ($2.90) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 2 – Tab Highway Handicap C3 (1250m)
Dylan’s Dynasty drops 4.5kg in weight after carrying 58kg at Nowra last start. The Robert Price-trained gelding didn’t fire in its most recent Highway Handicap start, but its form prior was solid and it must be considered down in the weights at a nice each-way price of $8.
Ocean Grand is fresh up and has opened as the $3.70 favourite. The Cliff Bashford-trained gelding has won and placed in two starts at Canterbury and it defeated Clearly Innocent four starts back at Rosehill. Big weight to carry and the price is a touch short, but it should go well.
Attainment is a Commands gelding which faded after leading at Randwick last start. Its start prior was a 6.5-length win at Canberra on a heavy track and knowing it likes the conditions is a big plus here. It will be wet and although it was heavily backed last start and flattened late, it looks a solid bet at $6 with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle.
Race 2 tip: Attainment to win ($6) at Crownbet.com.au
Race 3 – Schweppes R74 Handicap (1250m)
John O’Shea lines up Art Nouveau, which has won its last two starts impressively and gets a much-needed 3kg claimer in the saddle. The three-year-old won by 2.3 lengths on a heavy track last start and, given the likely conditions on Saturday, having that run under its belt in race day conditions is a big plus. Prefer to see it down in the weights, but this isn’t the strongest rating 74 field.
Cannyescent has won two from five with its most recent win coming two starts back at Randwick. The Gabrielle Englebrecht-trained gelding didn’t fire in the Eskimo Prince, but it did pull up with a problem and by all accounts it’s ready to fire after a solid trial effort to prepare. Fresh up and drawing the inside barrier on a wet track isn’t ideal, but both wins came on rain-affected ground so expect a good run at $3.20.
Dee Nine Elle was a stylish winner last start on this track. The Tony Gollan-trained filly took apart the field by five lengths and it looks to have a solid future ahead of it. It showed good form in Brisbane and although it probably wants it a touch further, the conditions will make this feel like a 1400m race. It’s a chance and bookmakers are giving it plenty of respect at $3.20.
Race 3 tip: Cannyescent to win ($3.20) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 4 – Tabcorp R93 Handicap (1900m)
Imported horse Singing has been absolutely hammered on the fixed odds market. The Kris Lees-trained six-year-old opened at $11 and is currently paying $4.60. That’s one of the biggest moves you will see for a low-key Saturday meeting and that suggests the stable expects a big run. It is too risky at the current price, but would have been worth a chance at double-figure odds.
Pindan Pearl is the drifting favourite at $2.60 following a win against a similar field last start. The five-year-old mare took its tally to five wins from 23 starts and although it can be a little inconsistent at times, it looms as a major chance down in the weights. It carried 59.5kg last start and rises up in grade for this, but dropping to 54kg is a big plus and the highly-rated runners are out of form. Well rated type with a good win chance.
Springbok Flyer has been kept short in the market at $6 after running on well last start. The Chris Waller-trained gelding is better suited at midweek level, but it has form on this track and the step up to 1900m will help its chances.
Race 4 tip: Pindan Pearl to win ($2.60) at Bet365.com.au
Race 5 – Theraces R83 Handicap (1550m)
Lanciato is up in grade after running seventh last start, but it finished under a length behind the winner. The New Zealand import, now trained by new solo-trainer Mark Newnham, has looked good in two Australian starts and has had plenty of support in the market. It opened short at $3 and has drifted to $3.20, but it should come back in late in the betting.
Also well supported is Gambler’s Blues at $4. The Tim Martin-trained gelding has won only three from 24 starts, but it wasn’t far away last start and has all three of its wins at this distance. It will carry only 51.5kg, thanks to Andrew Adkins’ claim, which brings it right into contention.
At a much bigger weight is McCreery, which will carry 60kg. The Chris Waller import won at Gosford two starts back and was running on late last start, which suggests another solid run is on the cards. The four-year-old hasn’t quite been as good as they would have hoped, but this field is weak and it could win at $5.
Race 5 tip: Gambler’s Blues to win ($4) at Crownbet.com.au
Race 6 – Tab Rewards R78 (1100m)
Encostanati has had its followers this campaign and it showed positive signs last start. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding boxed on well behind Arise Augustus at Randwick on July 9 and it can handle the wet conditions. It is getting expensive for punters this time around, but the 3kg claim helps and the $8 price looks a solid each-way bet.
Cheeky Babe is the current $3.70 favourite following a run at Canterbury which probably should have been a win. The daughter of Bel Esprit got too far back before flashing home late for third and it should settle closer in this at the lighter weight of 54kg. It does rise in grade, which is a big concern, but this race looks light on exposed talent and it could take advantage.
Ever So Natural opened at $8 and has firmed into $7. The four-year-old is second up after running on well for fourth last start and its third in the Country Championship Final behind Clearly Innocent should be a good form guide for this. Most of its best form has come on dry tracks, so follow the market and see if punters are backing it further.
Race 6 tip: Cheeky Babe to win ($3.70) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 7 – July 3YO Sprint (1100m)
Felines is a quality mare which has needed both runs back in this campaign. The four-year-old finished fourth in both runs this preparation and showed just how good it can be when it won at Randwick by three lengths earlier in the year. It likes rain-affected ground and a win wouldn’t surprise at $4.60 in the betting.
Redzel has the most upside of any runner in this field after finishing fifth in the Gosford Guineas last start. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained gelding won the Fireball Stakes prior to that and it has always had above-average talent. It does have the wide draw to contend with, but it will likely go forward and be tough to run down. Easing favourite at $2.80.
Stablemate Gold Symphony didn’t fire in two tough races last campaign, but it has been respected in the market at $5. The three-year-old colt won the Vain Stakes and McNeil Stakes at Caulfield last August and it’s a chance here if it can recapture that form. Betting suggests it’s right on the mark so keep an eye on the late movement.
Race 7 tip: Redzel to win ($2.80) at Crownbet.com.au
Race 8 – Tab More Than Just Winning R85 (1250m)
Kris Lees lines up Powerline, which has been consistent of late and is on the cusp of scoring an overdue win. The son of I Am Invincible ran on well enough at Randwick last start to suggest it’s a chance here and all four career wins came at this distance. Looks an obvious inclusion at $5 in the win market.
Avonaco is a four-win gelding for Chris Waller which has had plenty of experience at Canterbury. The four-year-old has won twice on this track with two placings and although its wet track form is less than desirable, it is the current favourite at $4 and should be considered in win bets.
Typhoon Jolie is fresh up and loves running on heavy tracks. The Snowden-trained mare has won twice on a heavy track, which includes a one-length win at Rosehill five starts back. Three wins have come on this track and although the inside draw might not be the best place to be come race eight, it could go forward and then come down the outside of the track. Chance at $5.
Race 8 tip: Powerline to place ($1.95) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 9 – Myboycharlie @ Vinery R84 (1100m)
James Cummings lines up last-start winner Shahrazad, which scored by two lengths. The four-year-old turned its form around and won as a $5 chance at Canterbury last start and whilst this is a tougher grade, the race hasn’t attracted any stars. Nicely weighted chance at $3.40 in the betting.
Glenbawn Dame is on the second line of betting at $5 following a last start second at Rosehill. That came behind El Sasso in rating 90 grade and the 3kg claim brings it down to a winnable weight of 58kg. Hasn’t gone well in three starts on this track, but that looks set to change.
Lot Three Four One is a $10 chance after being nominated midweek at Warwick Farm before the meeting was abandoned. The Gary Portelli-trained runner isn’t up to this grade, but it does get into this at 52kg and that should be respected by punters. Worth a gamble at the price.
Race 9 tip: Glenbawn Dame to win ($5) at WilliamHill.com.au