Selections based on a good track.
Race 1
17. Pictor has dual accepted in the first two races and does look hard to beat in whichever race he lines up in. Charged from the back to get close to Grand Prairie at his only start at Kensington back in July. Ninja ran third that day. Should have a major say in the finish. 6. Fernweh made a handy debut in May, running into second over the 1000m at Warwick Farm. Seems an extra 100m will be a plus. 5. Defiance was expected to win at Hawkesbury last start when a $1.70 favourite, but proved disappointing coming back in trip from his heavy track placing on debut. Blinkers go on. 9. Pierro Lad trialled in the same heat as Fernweh and did a good job running second. Check betting for a pointer.
How to play it: Pictor WIN
Racing returns to Canterbury on Wednesday.Credit: Getty
Race 2
2. Pictor goes on top in this race too; perhaps the slightly longer journey will be a plus. Hard to fault the form around him, so he has to be the starting point. 14. Shangri La Boy has taken a bit of time with trials dating back to November, but his latest was his best as he stretched out to win at Randwick. Half-brother to Storm Boy and may be hard to run down if he finds the front. 1. Sarapo showed some promise in his first campaign with an eye-catching debut second at Gosford. Sure to be charging home. 13. Curie didn’t do a bad job in a small field first-up at Gosford, she was shoved off the track coming to the turn and picked up okay to run third.
How to play it: Pictor WIN.
Race 3
7. Just A Journey is very well-placed here, second-up on the back of a game resumption at Warwick Farm, where she was run down by Tuileries. Stuck to her guns nicely, and there was a good gap to third. Sure to be hard to run down. 1. Captain Maverick will be thereabouts again as he aims to go one better than his four second placings on end. Led and battled on okay on a heavy 9 at Canterbury last week and would be the logical danger. 8. Exclusive Artist showed improvement getting back onto a firmer track second-up when running on behind Island Dream two weeks ago. Expect further progress from her.
How to play it: Just A Journey WIN.
Race 4
4. Sunset Park is a consistent on-pacer who won easily second-up, then went up to Midway grade and gave another good account from the front when second at Rosehill. Should get across them and give them something to catch. 5. Inncourt steps up beyond the mile for the first time after going down as an odds-on favourite at Kembla second-up. He’s been well fancied in all three Australian starts and should run well again. 6. Release Point steps up in class and distance after a hard-fought win from outside the leader at Scone two weeks ago. Perhaps more effective from just off the pace and wouldn’t surprise if he measures up.
How to play it: Sunset Park WIN.