NSW form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets, value selection and race-by-race analysis for Canterbury on Wednesday.
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CANTERBURY TIPS
BEST BET
Race 5 No.11 CENTRAL COAST: Good in his first campaign and returns a stronger colt. Destined for bigger things.
NEXT BEST
Race 6 No.6 AKAYSHA: Was very good in all three starts in her first preparation including a debut win. Can kick off with another victory.
VALUE BET
Race 7 No.8 IVAN’S HERO: Has been running handy races from wide barriers. Drawn gate 2 and will give this a shake.
QUADDIE
Race 4: 3, 8
Race 5: 3, 7, 11
Race 6: 3, 6
Race 7: 3, 4, 7, 8
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
James McDonald will be short in the TAB Jockey Challenge. Jason Collett can also land a winning double.
LAY OF THE DAY
Race 7 No.2 CAPTAIN MAVERICK: Runner-up his past three starts but hasn’t won for 12 months. Drawn wide and worth the risk at under $6.
CANTERBURY INSIDE MAIL
GOLDEN CENTURY (3) placed in five of his first seven starts including a nose second over 2100m in the Listed Gingernuts and third to Willydoit in the NZ Derby. Placed both runs this campaign and steps up to a suitable 1900m. THE BIG BLUE (4) has placed his three runs this time in from 1350m to 1600m. By Ocean Park from a Tavistock mare, he is bred to get over a staying trip and will appreciate stepping up in trip. HAMMOON HEROINE (6) has been good in placing in both starts. Plenty of staying blood on her dam’s side.
BET: GOLDEN CENTURY (3) to win.
RACE 2: Maiden Handicap (1550m)
OFFICIATE (3) settled well back and made a quick run out very wide from the 400m to hit the front inside the last 200m but couldn’t hold out the fast-finishing Siriusly when resuming over 1250m on a Heavy 9 on the Kensington on Aug 27. Drawn to get an ideal run. KOIBITO (7) couldn’t sprint with them early in the straight but hit the line strongly when fourth to Nashville Jack on debut over 1100m at Randwick. Sat last and stayed on the inside when second to the impressive Beside The Ocean over 1300m at Warwick Farm. Extra trip looks suitable. SIGMA (6) and BENDRODT (1) have claims.
BET: OFFICIATE (3) to win.
RACE 3: 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m)
NIGHT AGENT (6) is a first starter by Brutal. Came from well back with a strong run out wide to beat Hard Jakka in is July 23 Gosford heat. Returned on Aug 8 to sit third and beat Big Mix. CONDONE (3) is a $1.3m buy from Magic Millions by Justify from Invincible Star. Trialling well and will make his presence felt.
BET: NIGHT AGENT (6) to win.
FIOPROSPERO (3) ran on strongly for third to Good Banter and Knights Armour in consecutive run at Rosehill over 200m and 2400m respectively. Disappointing on face value at Eagle Farm last start but wasn’t 100 per cent after the race. Has since had an easy trial. Drawn well and can bounce back. LUSKAIRE (8) followed a couple of placings with a big win at Goulburn.
BET: FIOPROSPERO (3) each-way.
RACE 5: Colts, Horses & Geldings Benchmark 72 (1250m)
CENTRAL COAST (11) was narrowly beaten here on debut as favourite after racing outside the leader by stablemate Autumn Boy who won a stakes race at his next start. Bounced back with a win from Crossbow again over this track and distance. Trialling well and can kick off with a win. THEBLADE (7) was very impressive winning by nearly six lengths on debut on the Kensington in August last year. Was fourth to Private Harry and Boston Rocks at his next two starts both first-up. Will be fitter for his latest first-up run when fourth to Spywire at Doomben on Aug 16. MAWJOOD (3) is first-up for a new stable. Trialling well.
BET: CENTRAL COAST (11) to win.
RACE 6: Fillies & Mares Benchmark 72 (1250m)
AKAYSHA (6) started her career with a win over Beadman at Kembla before a second to Grand Eagle at Randwick and a third to Stardom in the Woodlands Stakes at Scone. Was scratched from the Furious Stakes last Saturday. MERGEILA (3) kicks off her spring campaign after being scratched a couple of times recently from wide gates. She was good in her first campaign with a win on a Good 4 here in between two Rosehill placings to Mayfair and Pippie Beach, both on soft ground. MODELLA (2) has been good in all five runs. Was narrowly beaten in both first-up runs at Warwick Farm.
BET: AKAYSHA (6) to win.
RACE 7: 5YO+ Benchmark 72 (1550m)
IVAN’S HERO (8) resumed off a six week break when fourth to Galano here back on July 23. Followed with a closing third to Seven’s two weeks later both over this trip. Jumped well and rolled forward when fifth to Hooligan Tommy on the Kensington last start. Finally drawn a good gate and gets an ideal run. THE REPLICANT (3) has found his best form winning two of last four starts. Backing up from a narrow win over Starman at Warwick Farm last week. UNITED KINGDOM (4) will be improved by his first-up second to Iceman at Warwick Farm on Aug 20.
BET: IVAN’S HERO (8) each-way.