Canterbury Tips & Preview | Wednesday 16 September

We haven’t seen Keen To Exceed at the races since May, and while he failed to break his maiden during his two-start debut preparation, he finished second on both occasions behind the talented Bangkok Hottie and Friendly Fire. That form has obviously held up, and with the benefit of a nice trial performance under his belt, he can hit the ground running this week.

Saffron Veil was only just denied on debut at Warwick Farm last month before returning a similar performance to only just miss at the same track last time out. The Waller/McDonald combination is always extremely tough to toss, and they can combine for another victory this week.

Doradus hasn’t finished worse than second in three runs back this time, bookending a sharp win over 1550m here with a couple of other near misses in strong company. In peak order this week and from the low draw, the rise in trip looks to suit and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.

Alabama Fox hasn’t been seen at the races since January, but she concluded a strong metropolitan campaign with an eye-catching performance to get up in Saturday company at Randwick. She’s had a couple of trials ahead of Wednesday’s return and while she’ll undoubtedly improve for whatever she does produce this week, her class can take her a long way towards winning.

Fierce has been a consistent performer through five starts since debuting, winning three times and only just missing on another occasion, while his first up performance this time suggested he’s only improved. He strips fitter for that run and has been kept up to the mark with a recent trial.

Taxation has only made five appearances at the races since debuting, but she’s stamped herself as a horse to follow by winning twice and only just missing on another occasion; a close-up performance behind the classy Ruination here when resuming late last month. With natural improvement and under James McDonald, she’s my best bet on the program.

In three runs back from a break, Overshadow has already managed to record a strong victory in maiden company, while she laid a great account for herself again when finishing second up in grade for the first time, last time out. She steps out this week a fit horse, she gets into the race well under the conditions and while it is the sternest task she’s been set, it certainly doesn’t look beyond her.