Wednesday’s metro meeting in Sydney this week will be hosted at Canterbury, and seven races are on the program.
The rail will be set out three metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Heavy (10) range.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – Maiden Handicap (1100m)
There’s hardly any form to study ahead of the first at Canterbury on Wednesday, and there are therefore many debutants prominent in betting.
Given that we are also likely to be racing on a heavy track, there is simply too much that could happen here to have any real confidence in anything, and I am happy to stay out.
Race 2 – Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1250m)
She will need some luck in running after drawing wide, but Sibylla looks to have some ability, and she can break her maiden at Canterbury this week.
The Divine Prophet filly finished fifth behind the likes of Fireburn and Revolutionary Miss on debut in January, and she returned earlier this month to finish fourth in a maiden here at Canterbury.
I like that she has been back to the trials since that effort, and the booking of James McDonald this week certainly doesn’t harm her chances.
Race 3 – First Justify Yearlings Handicap (1550m)
Tinnie Winnie rates as a key winning chance in the third at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The So You Thin mare hasn’t been seen at the races since March, but she stamped herself as one to follow during her debut prep, winning twice and placing twice in five starts.
She’s had the benefit of a trial in the lead-up to her return, and she is another galloper whose winning claims have been enhanced by the booking of James McDonald.
Race 4 – Vinery Yearlings Handicap (1550m)
This looks another ideal target for the talented Wild Chap.
Wild Chap has been a strong and consistent performer this time in, and he has only continued to improve with each start, culminating in a dominant win here at Canterbury last time out.
He has drawn ideally, handles the wet and will get some relief in the weights this week under Reece Jones.
Race 5 – Victor Ludorum @ Darley Handicap (1250m)
Veteran galloper Julian Rock takes his place in Race 5 at Canterbury on Wednesday second-up, and ready to strike.
The Invincible Spirit gelding has returned many eye-catching performances throughout his thirty-two-start career, winning some nice metro races along the way.
He returned from a spell with a nice effort to finish third, though well beaten by Warrior Hero here earlier this month, and I think that this represents a genuine winning opportunity for him.
Race 6 – China Horse Club’s The Chase Handicap (1250m)
Journalism can make a winning return in the penultimate race at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained galloper stamped himself as one to watch during his debut prep, winning on debut at Hawkesbury before a decent effort over 1150m at Randwick-Kensington most notably.
He’s returned two lovely trials in the lead-up to his return, both on rain-affected tracks, and I’m eager to see what he can muster in this.
Race 7 – Proven Thoroughbreds Handicap (1900m)
Pentacost has drawn terribly into this contest, but I think he’ll be stepping out in peak order, and if there’s a jockey who can get him into the right, it’s William Pike.
The Teofilo gelding tuned-up with a fair effort to finish midfield in BM64 company at Newcastle first-up, and he flashed late into fourth over a mile last time out.
Fitter third-up and further out in trip, I think this looks an ideal target for him.
