Tips and previews for racing at Canterbury on Wednesday

Selections based on a soft track

Race 1

7. Wairarapa wasn’t really fancied in the betting on debut but ran well closing off for third over 1450m. Imagine she takes plenty of improvement from that, an extra 100m is a plus being out of an Oaks winner and she should be a good chance. 9. Scoish Maloish ran a much improved race when out to a mile at Gosford last week, settling back and taking some good ground off the more fancied stablemate. Not a lot of depth in this one and he could back it up. 1. Farset didn’t offer much when challenged at Kensington last week after finding the front. Runner-up in five consecutive starts prior.
How to play it: Wairarapa to win.

Race 2

7. Consulate made her debut in Victoria in February and ran a fair race. There was a bit to like about her most recent trial in Sydney, she’s drawn well and gets the claim. No surprise to see her show something and betting will be a pointer too. 4. Lone Piper is a half-sister to Lady Of Camelot and full sister to Queen Of The Ball on debut having had a couple of preparations without making it to the races. Hard to know what’s there based on her trials so market a guide to her too. 1. Castelbella is trialling up encouragingly for her first outing with a narrow defeat in her latest hitout at Warwick Farm. Has the chance to run a handy race.
How to play it: Consulate to win.

Race 3

11. Predation showed some promise before his first outing in the Kirkham at Randwick in October where he was in the market. Gelded and returned with two solid trial wins, drawn to effect and has to be an each-way chance at least fresh. 2. Klocke started a short-priced favourite at Canterbury on debut and finished strongly to just miss over the same course. Hard to beat with even luck. 3. By Napoleon Hill was well-supported first-up at Illawarra Grange a few weeks ago and hit the line when he found clear running to run into second. No surprise to see him in the finish.
How to play it: Predation each-way.

Race 4

4. King For A Day made a more than handy debut a couple of weeks ago and finds a more favourable set up. Drew the outside and went right back after jumping well then made good late ground into fourth. He can be dangerous. 7. Claudel sat handy at her first start at Warwick Farm but couldn’t go with the winner in the run home, holding second comfortably enough. Fitter and should give herself every chance to go one better. 12. Saloon Passage comes through the same race as King For A Day where she also hit the line well from the tail. Should be closing this off nicely too.
How to play it: King For A Day to win.

Race 5

4. Mo Chroi is arguably the most interesting runner all day. An import first-up since winning at Fairyhouse in Ireland a year ago. Merit in both trials and kicking off at this trip will give him the chance to be competitive in what looks a winnable race. 3. Full Hao has been out of the market in two runs back but did make a bit of late ground at Rosehill last time, suggesting she’s getting close to finding some form. 6. Dubai Warrior went for a break after successive wins at Wyong over the mile last July. Fresh record is good, fitter for a couple of trials and drawn to be handy. Can run well.
How to play it: Mo Chroi to win.

Race 6

4. Elle Hudson showed he’s come back in good style with two handy runs including a game second at Warwick Farm two weeks ago at the mile. Generally holds his form when he finds it and is into his distance range now. 10. Velaris had some support when tackling this course third-up from a break and got the job done narrowly. Up in class but drawn to have his chance to repeat. 13. Think I Will opened a big mid-race lead and kept going when scoring his maiden win at Kembla over 2000m. Will go forward and interesting to see if he can back it up.
How to play it: Elle Hudson each-way.

Race 7

6. Zouripper is a handy galloper having his first run for Joe Pride and is a big watch in an open race. He’s been more than competitive in this sort of grade and his two runs prior to the stable switch were honest. If he produces his best he’ll run very well. 14. Island Dec doesn’t mind Canterbury and she wasn’t disgraced in a blanket finish behind the placings at Randwick second-up in a stronger race. She can be strong late. 16. Eton hasn’t raced since notching an easy maiden win at Wagga over their carnival on May 1. Close up in a recent trial, he’s bred to be above average and gets his chance to measure up from the inside.
How to play it: Zouripper each-way.

Best Bets: Race 1 (7) Wairarapa; Race 4 (4) King For A Day

Best Value: Race 3 (11) Predation

Supplied by Racing NSW