Wednesday’s Sydney metropolitan meeting will be held at Canterbury this week and eight races are on the program.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (5) range.
Race 1 – 12:55pm AEDT – Sky Racing Active Handicap (1550m)
Rapids has returned three competitive since resuming and I am happy to give him one last chance to break his maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The Medaglia D’oro gelding finished second here when resuming and third on the Kensington course at Randwick before another credible run for fourth, last time out.
He can go forward from an inside draw and will give them something to chase.
Race 2 – 1:30pm AEDT – Pinatubo New To Darley Plate (1200m)
This is a wide-open race full of debutants and little form, but I am happy to have a small each-way bet on Civil War.
Civil War showed ability at the trials, but clearly needed the run when he finished sixth on the Kensington course at Randwick on debut.
He’ll take plenty of improvement for that experience and at around the $11 mark, he could prove over the odds.
Race 3 – 2:05pm AEDT – Yarraman Park Easter Yearlings Handicap (1200m)
This looks like being one of the better races at Canterbury on Wednesday and there is a case to be made for several runners, including Bellevue Star.
Bellevue Star hasn’t been seen at the races for the best part of eleven months, but she was excellent last time in, winning here at Canterbury and finished fourth in the Listed Woodlands Stakes most notably.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead-up to her return and we can have an each-way play at around the $9 mark.
Race 4 – 2:40pm AEDT – Davali Thoroughbreds Handicap (1200m)
Fashchanel looks well placed to win at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The I Am Invincible mare finished second behind a couple of decent horses in consecutive races at Randwick in February and has been freshened since finishing at the tail of the field at Warwick Farm early last month.
Her trial a couple of weeks ago suggested she has come back on and I am happy to be with her in this race.
Race 5 – 3:15pm AEDT – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m)
Nerone will take winning form into the fifth at Canterbury on Wednesday and can record another.
The four-year-old son of Hallowed Crown has finished outside of the placings only a handful of times in twelve career starts and was an impressive winner on the Kensington track at Randwick when resuming.
This race doesn’t look to be any harder and he harbours plenty of improvement.
Race 6 – 3:50pm AEDT – Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1550m)
This is another wide open race and I am eager to have an each-way bet on the visiting Victorian, Impi.
Impi hasn’t shown his best form in two starts back this time, but he has returned plenty of big efforts during his racing career, and his best his definitely good enough to see him into the finish of something like this.
Bossy takes the ride from barrier 7 and he’s another that could easily prove to be over the odds at around $10.
Race 7 – 4:25pm AEDT – XXXX Handicap (1550m)
Lina’s Hero has improved for two starts back from a spell and is ready to win at Canterbury this week.
The six-year-old son of Elvstroem raced well during a competitive career in Hong Kong and debuted for Chris Waller at Randwick in late February, finishing fifth, beaten less than two lengths by Liberty Sun.
He improved into third behind Yao Dash at Rosehill Gardens last time out and with that form franked on the weekend, I’m happy to make this horse my best bet on the program.
Race 8 – 5:00pm AEDT – Vinery Stud Handicap (1100m)
This is an outstanding race for a Wednesday and boasts names like Adelong, Plague Stone, Lost And Running, Stolen Jade and Superium.
Lost And Running has opened an odds-on favourite, and while I concede he’ll be very hard to beat, I’m going to take the value around Superium ($14 at publish).
Superium his capable of a high-rating performance on his day and has found form around some quality gallopers throughout his racing career.
The four-year-old son of Verrazano has been transferred to the care of Team Hawkes this campaign and looks capable of striking first-up.