We’re off to Canterbury for this week’s Wednesday metropolitan card in Sydney and eight races are on the program.
The rail will be set our three metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
Race 1 – 12:55pm AEDT – Sky Racing Active Handicap (1550m)
Kahuka returned a competitive effort to fill the minors on debut and can break his maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Lord Kanaloa gelding had the benefit of a few trials prior to his debut and while he raced greenly at Hawkesbury, there was plenty to like about the effort.
Hugh Bowman rides from the rails draw.
Race 2 – 1:10pm AEDT – Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1200m)
There isn’t much form to divulge ahead of this race, but Socialist will enjoy good improvement from a decent fresh effort and boasts raceday experience.
The Capitalist filly raced greenly on debut in the Kirkham Plate in October and returned from a spell to finish fifth, beaten less than two lengths by Ashema at Randwick-Kensington late last month.
Race 3 – 1:50pm AEDT – Darley 2021 Roster Handicap (1200m)
Overman hasn’t been seen at the races since December and has had just one career start, but I’m happy to give him a chance to win first-up at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Hinchinbrook gelding showed ability at the trials prior to his debut and charged in to finish a credible fourth behind Acrobat in the Inglis Nursery.
This is obviously a substantial drop in class for him and he has trialled well again in the lead-up to his return.
Race 4 – 2:30pm AEDT – Ranvet Handicap (1550m)
Fifteen Aria has enjoyed a lovely start to her racing career and looks well placed to record another win at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Fastnet Rock filly put the writing on the wall with an impressive win on debut at Warwick Farm, finishing midfield in BM72 company at her second appearance and returned from a fresh up to score at Hawkesbury.
This is a rise in class, but she looks more than up to it, particularly under Brenton Avdulla.
Race 5 – 3:10pm AEDT – Vinery Stud Handicap (1100m)
Mollycoddle hasn’t been seen at the races since January, but she could hardly have been more impressive last time in, and can make a winning return at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Lonhro filly has missed placing only three times in ten career starts, winning three times including a BM64 contest at her most recent appearance.
I’m also going to have something on the third-up Tudor Music, who will relish a big drop in class.
Tudor Music hasn’t been close to the winner at either of her first two starts back this time, but has certainly stripped fitter, and this is a far easier task than the PJ Bell Stakes.
Race 6 – 3:45pm AEDT – Robrick Lodge Handicap (1550m)
Tectonicus will take winning form into the sixth at Canterbury on Wednesday and looks well placed to make it two in a row.
The Not A Single Doubt gelding has continued to improve with each start back this time, culminating in an utterly dominant performance at Wyong last time, which saw him greet the judge close to six lengths ahead of his rivals.
So long as the heavy going has flattened him, I’m confident he can win again.
Race 7 – 4:20pm AEDT – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1900m)
War Baron has returned to the races in competitive form and is up to winning a midweeker like this one.
The Declaration Of War gelding was an impressive winner at Hawkesbury second-up in March and went within a nostril of making it two in a row at Randwick-Kensington when third-up.
He was comfortably beaten when fourth last time out, but dropping back in trip looks to suit and he is rock-hard fit.
Race 8 – 4:55pm AEDT – XXXX Handicap (1200m)
This is an open race and a tough way to end the card from a betting perspective, but I am going to have a small bet on the resuming Rammstein.
Rammstein won in Class 1 company at Kembla Grange when resuming last time, finishing second at his next two appearances, both at Rosehill Gardens.
He’s drawn to receive a lovely run and he can figure in the finish.