RACE 1:
RACE 1:
ROYAL CROWN has better flat form than his rivals and looked good in a recent hurdle trial. Early odds have him favourite at $2.80 but reckon he could start even shorter on race day. ABREED has the runs on the board over the jumps and does look the main danger. Quinella and exacta could be the value play, with ZOFFALA the other key hopeful.
Suggested bet: Royal Crown to win at $2.80.
Tips: Royal Crown 1, Abreed 2, Zoffala 3, Aquila Volare 4.
RACE 2:
MAHAMEDEIS has the best flat form by far and his hurdle trials have been solid. All things being equal, he should win but is probably around his right price at $2.90. The value play is ALEXANDER HAMILTON. He was brave here two weeks back behind Sound Of Cannons on the flat and looks over the odds at $9.
Suggested bet: Alexander Hamilton for the place.
Tips: Mahamedeis 1, Poleaxed 2, Alexander Hamilton 3, That’s Incranibull 4.
RACE 3:
Take the $2.10 on offer about CERNAN now. Reckon he will be odds on by race time. He was brilliant on the flat winning by a space at Hamilton last week and is more than adept over the jumps. NOTHIN’ LEICA HIGH trialled well over the jumps and looks the threat.
Suggested bet: Cernan to win at $2.10.
Tips: Cernan 1, Nothin’ Leica High 2, Tom Foolery 3, El Diez 4.
Cernan is coming off a win on the flat at Hamilton and can take out the Hurdle on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images
RACE 4:
CASTROFRANCARU probably won’t get his preferred heavy ground here but that won’t stop him. He stifles betting at $1.50 after bolting in at Hamilton and looks too good again. HISTORIC was pulled out of the same race due to the heavy track but can do better here. The bet could be backing him for a place.
Suggested bet: Historic for a place.
Tips: Castrofrancaru 1, Historic 2, Tamarack 3, Sandman 4.
RACE 5:
REGAL ZEUS was enormous here two weeks ago. Missed the start when resuming and was at least three lengths in arrears early on but he gathered momentum before the turn and only beaten 2.3 lengths on the line. That will have him cherry ripe and he is way over the odds at $7. The Godolphin filly HYPOTHERMIA is also good value as she hit the line well on debut at Moe and will be improved.
Suggested bet: Keen on Regal Zeus at the $7. Small each way bet on Hypothermia around the $9 mark.
Tips: Regal Zeus 1, Hypothermia 2, Runaway Soul 3, Wirrpanda 4.
RACE 6:
QUEEN OF THE GREEN only has to repeat her effort in Group 3 grade at Morphettville when resuming and she will be winning this. At her right price around the $2.40 mark though. THINK I’M DIVINE had the good run but then gave his rivals a caning here two weeks ago and he looks the danger. The value bet could be BELVAGO ($21) for the place. He has won here and his recent jumpout was sound.
Suggested bet: Belvago for the place.
Tips: Queen Of The Green 1, Think I’m Divine 2, Belvago 3, Starbury 4.
RACE 7:
Pretty keen on the topweight ALHAMBRA LAD and he is fantastic value at $7.50 early. He was heavily backed to start almost favourite in Bm78 grade at Lakeside last start but the race shape didn’t suit him. They dawdled early and it became a sprint home, which made it hard to make ground. Drops in grade here, draws better to get the gun run and ready to win. CRU CLASSE was backed into favouritism here two weeks back and battled on well behind Sound Of Cannons. Looks the danger.
Suggested bet: Alhambra Lad to win at $7.50.
Tips: Alhambra Lad 1, Cru Classe 2, Dahwilly 3, Sigourney 4.
Think I’m Divine, ridden by Carleen Hefel, wins at Sale. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images
RACE 8:
FUNNYIFITWON may be short at $2.80 but reckon that is still good value. He could start closer to even money. Well supported to start favourite in Bm70 grade at Lakeside but had little luck in running and pulled up with a poor recovery rate. He was very good winning here before that. Gets the claim and wide draw will give him plenty of room to find his feet. LAVISH THINKER toughed it out to win his maiden here two weeks ago and looks the danger.
Suggested bet: Funnyifitwon to win at $2.80.
Tips: Funnyifitwon 1, Lavish Thinker 2, Remigius 3, Red On Red 4.
RACE 9:
The two best hopes are emergencies and are worth taking at the odds hoping they can get a run. IVAN’S HERO is currently at $5 and reckon he will start favourite if he gets a run. He comes back from a let up but his city form prior to the break was very consistent and strikes a much easier assignment here. DAYAN STAR has placed in Bm58 grade twice at Geelong since resuming and he looks ready to win now. Good value at $7.
Suggested bet: Ivan’s Hero to win at $5. Saver on Dayan Star at $7.
Tips: Ivan’s Hero 1, Dayan Star 2, King Neptune 3, Proprietary 4.
BEST BET: Regal Zeus (race 5)
BEST VALUE: Alhambra Lad (race 7)
CANTERBURY
RACE 1:
Mnemosyne’s granddaughter COMMEMORATE should win on the score of her trials but short-priced debutantes, especially two-year-olds, can spell danger for punters. Each-way betting might not be a much better option if we get down to seven runners. As it stands, however, in a full field, LIZZIE’S GEM ($9.50) has done enough in her recent trials to indicate she will be strong late.
Suggested bet: Lizzie’s Gem to place.
Tips: Commemorate 1, Lizzie’s Gem 2, Miss Emma 3, Wezza 4.
RACE 2:
NOSTALGIA has been heavily backed early, understandably so given her trials either side of her costly failure on debut. Godolphin filly MAGIC CARPET ($4) boasts some genuine depth to her form. She was runner-up to She’s Extreme in the Magic Might and fourth to Buenos Noches here at her only run in the summer. Has been trialling well as always.
Suggested bet: Magic Carpet to win at the $4 mark.
Tips: Magic Carpet 1, Nostalgia 2, Princess Rayaa 3, Single Attraction 4.
RACE 3:
With the scratching of Ravisher, does look BALKANS race to lose. Will be very short though but is well bred and trialled well. The value play could be DAZZLE LEGEND, who looks over the odds at $13 and impressed in his recent trial.
Suggested bet: Dazzle Legend to place.
Tips: Balkans 1, Dazzle Legend 2, Pink Shalaa 3, Zouprince 4.
James McDonald has some strong rides at Canterbury on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images
RACE 4:
FLASHING STEEL ran his rivals off their legs to win here with James McDonald on last start. Every chance that will be the game plan on Wednesday and entirely probable that they will lead. It could come down to how much of a start the noted backmarker MONEY FROM THE SKY ($4.40) is giving Flashing Steel at the top of the straight and if the track is playing fairly.
Suggested bet: Money From The Sky to win.
Tips: Money From The Sky 1, Cinque Torri 2, 3. Flashing Steel 3, Alfano 4.
RACE 5:
Five of the 12 are first-up, four others are second-up so the market will be a vital indicator. Pleased and hardly surprised to see some minor early backing for the Matthew Smith stable recruit STAR SPIRIT ($8.50) whose three career wins have all been first-up. That’s three out of four no less. Trialling like it might be four from five on Wednesday.
Suggested bet: Star Spirit each-way.
Tips: Star Spirit 1, Zanzibar Gem 2, Lovero 3, Petulant 4.
Dylan Gibbons will ride strong chance Deep Snow in race 6 at Canterbury on Wednesday
RACE 6:
Nine of the 12 are first-up in this one which makes for a trial watcher’s dream. One of the first-up runners with serious appeal is the Angela Davies-trained DEEP SNOW ($7.50) whose CV includes a Rosehill win over Baltic Coast and a second at the same venue to Robusto. Barrier two absolutely seals the deal, so too Dylan Gibbons whose 1.5kg claim lightens the load.
Suggested bet: Deep Snow to win
Tips: Deep Snow 1, King of Naples 2, Ramones 3. Huon 4.
RACE 7:
QUEENMAKER has drawn barrier five which is more or less a winning draw for her. She can roll along out in front and try and kick on or before the behind and is invariably strong late. Taking the punt on JUST A JEDI ($17) who I am convinced is in good shape but I just fear that he is at the wrong venue. Still, so long as the track is fair, he’ll get the tempo he needs to have the last look.
Suggested Bet: Just A Jedi to place
Tips: Queenmaker 1, Just A Jedi 2, Kozluca 3. Kingdom Of Gold 4.
BEST BET: Deep Snow (race 6)
BEST VALUE: Star Spirit (race 5)