Wednesday racing free tips and form for Canterbury, August 16
CANTERBURY hosts a quality seven-race card this Wednesday and we’re loaded with updated odds, form and our best tips for the day.
Punters have witnessed some great racing action over the past few Wednesdays and that should continue as the spring season approaches.
The big stables are out in force with their talented stakes types and punters should be able to find some great value with bookmakers.
Race 1 – McGrath Estate Agents Handicap (1100m)
Showtime looks ready to shine after winning a trial at Rosehill to prepare for this. The Hawkes-trained three-year-old resumes having raced against some of the best age-group horses last campaign. It ran third in the Silver Slipper and second in the St Albans Stakes, so this shouldn’t be too difficult for it.
The big watch horse is My Zebrinka which has won all four trial attempts. The Ron Quinton-trained gelding has been patiently handled having won its first trial in March, but three wins since hold it in good stead for this. How that shapes up against horses that have race experience is the big question.
Race 1 tip: Showtime to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 2 – Casino Prince @ Vinery Handicap (1200m)
Schubert is fresh up having finished fourth in a recent trial, but it wasn’t asked to do much. The James Cummings-trained son of Lonhro looked good in patches last season when winning at Newcastle and placing behind Addictive Nature at Warwick Farm. This looks a suitable first up target.
Groundbreak might be a maiden runner, but it drops in grade significantly for this. The three-year-old by All Too Hard ran second behind Veranillo on debut before finishing fourth in the Talindert at Flemington. It didn’t run well in the VRC Sires’ but this is much easier so respect its chances.
Race 2 tip: Groundbreak to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 3 – Tab R71 Handicap (1550m)
Up ‘n’ Rolling was a tragedy beaten last time out after getting a shocking ride from Glyn Schofield. The Chris Waller-trained gelding resumes here after two moderate trial performances, but it has shown form fresh in the past and this distance is an ideal starting point.
Notio has been knocking on the door this campaign and it deserves its chance here. The Hawkes-trained four-year-old has placed in four of its seven starts to date, which included a last start placing at Canterbury behind Special Missile. It should lob into a nice position and be tough to hold out.
Race 3 tip: Notio to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 4 – Theraces Handicap (1200m)
Irithea has looked above average in winning its last two starts and despite a big weight, it should be tough to beat again. The Bjorn Baker-trained mare won by almost two lengths when fresh up at Newcastle and followed that up with another strong showing at Gosford. It’s going great guns and should be well-favoured in the betting.
Also winning its last two starts is Phoenix Claws. The David Pfieffer-trained four-year-old scored easily at Gosford before winning again at Wyong and it looks to have plenty of improvement left. This is harder here, but it should get a good run in transit and finish strongly.
Race 4 tip: Irithea to win at Bet365.com
Race 5 – Tab Handicap (1250m)
Lubiton is having its first start this preparation following a disappointing finish in the ATC Oaks behind Bonneval. The four-year-old has had the benefit of two trials this time in and they were impressive results. It finished second behind Ugo Foscolo and That’s a Good Idea, which should stack up well this spring.
Parlay Vous has run well without winning this preparation and it looks set to produce. The John O’Shea-trained four-year-old finished just over a length behind Argent D’or at Randwick last start and that form should hold up well. The son of Jimmy Choux should win a race shortly.
Race 5 tip: Lubiton to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 6 – Schweppes Handicap (1100m)
Beacon was a strong winner on debut for Godolphin and the light weight brings it into contention here. The son of Lonhro scored by a length at Wyong where it carried 56kg to victory and dropping to 53kg with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle is ideal. It would pay to follow any significant betting moves on this runner.
Cudabeen was no match for the likes of Sangiovese last start, but this is more to its liking. The Snowden-trained four-year-old finished 10th at Randwick last start, but its form prior featured some quality wins and it has pure speed out of the barriers. Likely to finish in the money.
Race 6 tip: Beacon to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 7 – Tab Rewards Handicap (1900m)
Wahng Wah has won five of its 18 starts, including its last start at Randwick. The Kris Lees-trained five-year-old charged home over the concluding stages to record a 1.3-length win and it stays in the same grade for this. It’s up in weight, but is capable of carrying that to victory.
Street Pursuit has won three of its eight starts and it showed good determination to win on this track last start. The Waterhouse/Bott-trained gelding made its own luck out in front and held off a fast-finishing Fortensky. That’s strong form and it would pay to follow.
Race 7 tip: Street Pursuit to win at Ladbrokes.com.au