A share in $500,000 goes on the line at Randwick on Saturday as a small field of 10 steps out in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
Three-time Group 1 winner Zaaki has opened a dominant favourite ahead of his return to the races, but the weather in Sydney might send the Annabel Neasham-trained seven-year-old on a different path.
The Freedman-trained Forbidden Love can also be found on the top line of betting after winning last week’s Guy Walter Stakes, Neasham’s other international import Laws Of Indices also looks a live chance in his second run back.
We’ve run the rule over this year’s Canterbury Stakes field, and our thoughts on each horse can be found below!
1. Zaaki (1)
- Record: 30:10-3-6
- Group 1’s: 3 (2021 Doomben Cup, Underwood Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes)
- Track: 3:1-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Annabel Neasham
- Jockey: James McDonald
- Odds: $3.50
Returning spring star that has also accepted for the Blamey Stakes at Flemington. Has proven tough to beat when fresh, winning the Tramway first-up last year on the way to another Group 1 win in the Underwood. Doubtful he lines up on a heavy track, but this does look a nice tune up for him heading towards the All-Star Mile. Update: Zaaki has been scratched from the 2022 Canterbury Stakes.
2. Kolding (2)
- Record: 34:11-4-3
- Group 1’s: 3 (2019 Epsom Handicap, 2020 George Main Stakes, 2021 All Aged Stakes)
- Track: 18:6-2-0
- Distance: 2:2-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Jason Collett
- Odds: $61.00
Unbeaten over 1300m with a Group 1 resume that speaks for itself. Unfortunately hasn’t looked the same horse since he won the All Aged Stakes last autumn. Failed to run a place in three starts during the spring and was only plain first-up in the Apollo Stakes. Hardly set the world on fire in his recent Rosehill trial and might be wanting further.
3. Private Eye (7)
- Record: 15:8-1-0
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 Epsom Handicap)
- Track: 4:2-1-0
- Distance: 4:3-0-0
- Trainer: Joseph Pride
- Jockey: Regan Bayliss
- Odds: $8.00
Proven miler that tends to give an honest effort more often than not. Won three in a row over similar distances early last year before going on to win the Epsom during the spring. Flies fresh and has looked in good order in two recent trials. A perfect 2-0 record on heavy going also reads well.
4. Dalasan (6)
- Record: 30:7-4-5
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 3:0-0-3
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas
- Jockey: Chad Schofield
- Odds: $26.00
Talented horse that is normally thereabouts. Ran some big races during the spring, most notably a narrow third to Private Eye in the Epsom. This trip is short of his best, but he’s typically competitive at this level and will appreciate any sting out of the track.
5. Special Reward (4)
- Record: 30:10-4-2
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 8:3-1-2
- Distance: 5:1-1-0
- Trainer: Kris Lees
- Jockey: Glyn Schofield
- Odds: $18.00
Has also accepted for the Newcastle Newmarket on Friday. Facing Group 1 company for the first time, but recent form suggests he’s capable of handling it. Has found the money in all three starts since resuming and was strong late behind Think It Over in the Apollo Stakes for third. Can box-seat from the draw and won’t mind it wet. Place chance.
6. Wild Planet (10)
- Record: 24:6-5-2
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 3:0-0-1
- Distance: 1:1-0-0
- Trainer: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
- Jockey: William Pike
- Odds: $26.00
Strips fitter for two runs back and has won twice previously third-up. Finished runner-up to Eduardo in the Doomben 10,000 lat year but has failed to produce that same form since returning. Soft track form is good but will need some luck from out wide.
7. Dice Roll (9)
- Record: 26:7-1-2
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Nick Ryan
- Jockey: Rhys McLeod
- Odds: $31.00
Has won three times previously first-up. Was beaten a nose by Sierra Sue in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes fresh at Caulfield during the spring, a strong form line with that horse going on to win last week’s Futurity Stakes. Looked only plain at the trials but absolutely loves it wet. Knockout chance with the blinkers back on.
8. Laws Of Indices (5)
- Record: 13:3-0-1
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 Jean Prat)
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 1:0-0-0
- Trainer: Annabel Neasham
- Jockey: Tommy Berry
- Odds: $7.00
European Group 1 winner that has run well in two starts in Australia. Bolted in to just miss out on a place on debut in the Golden Eagle, and was strong again late in the Southern Cross Stakes a few weeks ago first-up. Will be saving his best for the finish again and has the wet track form to be a real threat under Tommy Berry.
9. Forbidden Love (8)
- Record: 20:6-1-5
- Group 1’s: 1 (2021 Surround Stakes)
- Track: 8:3-0-2
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Richard & Michael Freedman
- Jockey: Hugh Bowman
- Odds: $3.70
Backing up from last week’s dominant three-length win in the Guy Walter. Taking on the boys now and might just go all the way if Hugh Bowman chooses to roll forward. Was only plain on the quick backup in last year’s Golden Eagle but warrants enormous respect with three wins to her name on heavy going. Plenty of improvement to come third-up and is the one they have to beat if Zaaki is absent.
10. Lighthouse (3)
- Record: 15:7-4-1
- Group 1’s: 0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 2:1-0-0
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- Jockey: TBD
- Odds: $5.00
Hasn’t missed the money in six starts dating back to the spring. Battled on well for second in the C.F. Orr Stakes last time out at Caulfield and has won over 1300m in the United States. Owns a win on the heavy and has claims if he can save his best for late.