We’re off to Canterbury on Wednesday, March 30th for another quality eight-race program.
The rain continues to lash Sydney and the Canterbury track will almost certainly be rated in the Heavy range, while the rail will be left in the true position around the entire course.
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Race 1 – 1:45pm – Hellbent @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1200m)
Standing Order can break his maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Team Snowden-trained colt showed some ability at the trials prior to debuting, and he ran home well to finish second behind Williamburg at Newcastle on debut in February, and that form has since been franked.
He was last seen finishing midfield in the Group 3 Black Opal in Canberra, and this is obviously a decent drop in class from that contest.
Race 2 – 2:20pm – Drinkwise Plate (1250m)
The Art Of Flying will take plenty of improvement from a competitive first-up showing into Race 2 at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Art Of Flying has raced consistently but lightly since debuting in October 2020, and he has missed placing only once in five career starts.
I thought that his first-up effort in a feature race down the Flemington straight displayed improvement, and he is ready to break his maiden.
Race 3 – 2:55pm – Schweppes Handicap (1900m)
Gwenda Markwell looks to have found the key to Main Stage, and the gelding looks well placed to strike at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Main Stage was a notable performer in good races for Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young during his three-year-old season, but he went off the boil a little through subsequent Victorian preparations.
His recent form reads well very, and includes a win and two close-up second placings in races not dissimilar to this one.
Race 4 – 3:30pm – Exceed And Excel @ Inglis Easter Handicap (1100m)
This is one of the more open races on the program and there is a case to be made for several gallopers, including Parachuter.
Parachuter hasn’t been seen at the races since November, but she has won first-up previously, and this is a drop in class from what she was contesting last time in.
Importantly, her form on a heavy track is excellent, and we can have an each-way play at around the $8 mark.
Race 5 – 4:05pm – City Tattersalls Group Handicap (1550m)
This is another open contest and at publish, we’re faced with over $5 the field.
That being said, I think that one of the horses tying the top line of betting, Thousand Years, will prove difficult to beat.
Thousand Years is yet to return a poor effort in three previous trips to the races, breaking her maiden at Kembla Grange in September and returning to the paddock, and picking up with a nice effort for second at Goulburn.
This is a rise in class, but she gets into the race well, and she boasts plenty of upside.
Race 6 – 4:40pm – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m)
Whodat is chasing a hat-trick of wins when he steps out at Canterbury on Wednesday, and this does look the next logical step.
The Nicconi gelding broke his maiden at Newcastle earlier this month, and he franked that performance with another eye-catching win in Class 1 company last time.
He steps out this week in peak order, and he is drawn to receive a lovely run under Nash Rawiller.
Race 7 – 5:15pm – First Justify Yearlings Handicap (1250m)
Vreneli loves racing at Canterbury, and he is ready to strike third-up this week, at a lovely price ($10 at publish).
The Waterhouse & Bott-trained galloper needed his first start back this time to tune up, but he kept his best work for late when third, beaten just over a length here last time out.
His form on heavy is good and the booking of Tim Clark adds further confidence.
Race 8 – 5:50pm – Vinery Yearlings Handicap (1200m)
I Am Brazen has recorded two wins from as many starts this time, and this shapes as another winnable race.
The Brazen Beau filly didn’t show a lot during her brief debut prep, but she returned a winner at Goulburn before repeating that performance and result in Class 1 company last time.
Fitter third-up, this looks the perfect opportunity for her to transition into metro company.
