Canterbury racing tips are on the agenda for Wednesday, with a seven-race card set down for decision. The track conditions could improve slightly, with fine weather forecast and the surface rated a Soft 6.
The rail is out 2m, and Canterbury’s tight circuit often gives on-speed runners their chance. That puts extra focus on the speed map and early positioning, especially for horses that can settle handy and quicken before the short straight.
Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities across the program. These Canterbury racing tips take a race-by-race look at the meeting, with each selection assessed on recent form, race shape and map position.
Here is our race-by-race preview for Canterbury.
LORAX (2) made a sound return last start in a Saturday two-year-old race and should take improvement from that run.
The Chris Waller-trained colt drew wide and settled back, but he picked up strongly in the straight to finish third, beaten just over a length.
Now a three-year-old, he rises in distance second-up and drops back to midweek grade, which both look suitable.
James McDonald takes the ride and should be able to settle him closer in running.
| 2. Lorax (5) J: James McDonald 58kg 3×3T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. Promising on debut 3rd of 9 at Warwick Farm 2yo Mdn-Sw on February 18 over 1100m, 3 len behind Wolf Gap carrying 57kg at $7.50. Went for a break before returning 3rd of 10 at Randwick 2yo Hcp on July 25 over 1100m, slow going 1.0 len behind Scintillation carrying 56kg at $19. Further improvement in store. | |||
WANDA’S SPARK (1) showed good ability at the trials before producing a solid debut over 1100m on the Kensington track.
The Michael Freedman-trained filly settled just behind the leaders and finished strongly, but was caught late and finished second, beaten 1.15 lengths.
She should take benefit from the race experience and looks suited rising to 1200m.
With good early speed and a favourable draw, Tommy Berry should be able to place her in a prominent position.
| 1. Wanda’s Spark (3) J: Tommy Berry 59kg 2T: Michael Freedman | |||
| Was well-supported at debut, raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 8 at Randwick Kensington 2&3yo Mdn-Sw on July 29 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Sequinned carrying 54kg at $2.50. Shapes as a leading chance with abundant scope for improvement. | |||
CHEVAL DE BOIS (1) rises sharply in weight, but this is a more suitable race than what he has contested recently.
The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained gelding comes through a strong second in a Benchmark 78 Handicap over 2000m at Rosehill, where he worked home well and was beaten just under a length.
That followed back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1550m at Kensington and 1500m at Rosehill, so his recent form is consistent.
He is fit, maps well, and Braith Nock’s 1.5kg claim helps offset the weight.
| 1. Cheval De Bois (2) J: Braith Nock 61.5kg x4222T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently 2nd of 10 at Rosehill Bm78 on August 1 over 2000m, slow going 0.9 len behind Horizons carrying 53kg at $5.50. The run before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Rosehill 3yo Bm72 on July 18 over 1500m, on rain affected going; 1.3 len behind Arapawa carrying 53kg at $3.80. Racing very well without winning but should get something back today. | |||
OAKFIELD NEPTUNE (2) should find this easier after taking on the speedy Sir Les over 1100m at Randwick last start.
The Kris Lees-trained mare had won at Newcastle two starts earlier when carrying this weight, which reads well for a race of this nature.
Her form prior to that was also solid, including a 2.81-length all-the-way win and a neck second over this distance at Newcastle, where she was only run down late.
James McDonald is a strong booking and should be able to make use of the low draw.
| 2. Oakfield Neptune (2) J: James McDonald 60kg x1217T: Kris Lees | |||
| Most recently 7th of 11 at Randwick 3&4yo Bm72 on July 25 over 1100m, slow going 8 len behind Sir Les carrying 58kg at $18. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.9 len at Newcastle Bm64 June 27 over 1200m in soft going defeating Sponars carrying 60kg at $1.85. In the mix back in this easier race. | |||
CAPTURE ME (8) rises in grade after an impressive last-start win at Illawarra Grange.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding looked awkwardly placed when held up behind the leaders, but once clear, he quickened well and drew away to win by 2.8 lengths.
Before that, he finished second to Jarrito at Warwick Farm in a similar race, which gives him a useful form reference for this.
He draws well for Chad Schofield and should be able to land in a forward position.
| 8. Capture Me (2) J: Chad Schofield 58kg 4×321T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Form hard to fault. Last start favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 2.75 len at Illawarra Grange Cl1 July 30 over 1150m defeating Li’l Grug with 60kg at $1.12. The run before that rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 9 at Warwick Farm Bm72 on July 15 over 1100m, 2.75 len behind Jarrito with 55.5kg at $2.45. Sure to measure up in this company. | |||
INOUE (1) overcame a poor start to win first-up over this course and distance.
The Richard Litt-trained gelding missed the start badly, but recovered and finished strongly along the inside to win by 2.61 lengths.
He should be fitter second-up and has won his past two second-up races at Kembla Grange and Hawkesbury.
There appears to be good speed engaged, which should allow James McDonald to settle just behind the tempo before improving into the race.
| 1. Inoue (5) J: James McDonald 60kg 574×1T: Richard Litt | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 2.5 len at this track 4yo+ Bm72 July 8 over 1100m in heavy going defeating Zale with 57kg at $2.50. Previously second-up favourite; came from midfield and won by a nose at Hawkesbury Cg&E Bm64 October 23 over 1100m defeating Norton Road carrying 60.5kg at $5.50. Big chance to make it back-to-back wins. Kept fresh and likely to hold that good form second-up. | |||
BARKING MAD (3) was unlucky not to win again last start over 1500m at Rosehill.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding was held up in the straight before closing strongly to finish second, beaten 1.24 lengths.
That followed two wins to begin the preparation, including a maiden victory at Cranbourne and a dominant 3.5-length win over 1400m on the Lakeside track.
He should now be at peak fitness, and from the inside barrier, James McDonald should give him every chance to return to winning form.
| 3. Barking Mad (1) J: James McDonald 59kg 7×112T: Chris Waller | |||
| Recent form sound. At the latest run 2nd of 9 at Rosehill 3&4yo Bm72 on August 1 over 1500m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Funshow with 57.5kg at $5.50. The race before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 3.5 len at Sandown-Lakeside 3yo Bm64 July 8 over 1400m in heavy going defeating Rogue Warrior with 58.5kg at $5.50. Flying this prep and looks the goods dropping back to midweek company. | |||