Canterbury Park and Sandown Lakeside are the key meetings this Wednesday. With premierships on the line, and with spring steaming around the corner, who is going to stand up and make a name for themselves? Find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the mid-week chocolates!
Canterbury Race 5
#3 Cassiel
Cassiel is flying at present. The Harry Angel gelding has won his past two outings in a canter, and he looks extremely well placed to notch up a hat-trick of victories. He is a 1100m specialist, and he is ideally drawn in a middle gate. The progressive four-year-old deserves his chance at this level, and he has been heavily supported since acceptances were finalised. Hard to toss!
One Destiny is over the odds. The Super One gelding is racing better than it suggests in the bible, and he finds a winnable assignment on Wednesday. I suspect he is rock-hard fit after a lengthy campaign, his record at the distance must be respected. In the mix if he can recapture his mojo.
Mafia resumes with an air of expectation. The Written Tycoon gelding makes his debut for the flying Mitchell Beer camp, and his trials leading into this event have been first-class. The inside draw is advantageous, and the 3kg apprentice claim could prove the winning difference. He will be thereabouts.
Suggested Bet: Cassiel @ $2.30
Canterbury RACE 6
#7 Braveheart
Braveheart will start as the race favourite after producing an eye-catching performance fresh. The I Am Invincible gelding strips fitter as a result of recent racing, and I suspect he will appreciate the significant drop in class on Wednesday. The step out in trip is ideal at this stage of his campaign, and the Peter Snowden and Tommy Berry combination must be respected.
Bartolf resumes after a string of impressive barrier trials. The So You Think Gelding traditionally motors fresh, and he meets the usual suspects here. The early money trail indicates a bold and forward showing, and I expect him to return to racing a different horse after undergoing the ultimate gear change. The car park draw is the primary concern.
Hanau was good without winning fresh. The Snitzel gelding has upside for days, and his first-up performance should fill his camp and supporters with plenty of confidence. The 2kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversation, and he is ideally drawn in an inside gate. His racing and pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Braveheart @ $3.80
Sandown Race 6
#9 Empress Of The Sun
Empress Of The Sun is knocking on the door. All runs this campaign have been good without winning, and she has claimed the bridesmaid position several times already this preparation. The form around the consistent Slane reads well for this event, and I suspect her best performance here could be fences and panels better than her rivals. She needs to put another victory on the board.
Sun Gift has made an impressive start to her racing career. The Harbinger mare has won two on the bounce and deserves her shot in town. The Ciaron Maher factor will attract plenty of late market support, and the 2100m looks perfect at this stage of her spell. The talented four-year-old will occupy the box seat from barrier two, and if she sees daylight as they run for the doctor, I expect her to figure in the finish.
The Devil In Her can run a drum at a decent price. The Sebring mate hasn’t been racing without a lot of luck, and I suspect it may pay dividends to forget that she went around at her latest outing. A little freshen up will play into her favour, and her camp are training winners for fun at present. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Empress Of The Sun @ $7.00
Sandown Race 7
#5 Nation's Call
Nation’s Call is the best bet on a tricky and competitive mid-week winter program. The Frankel gelding is racing extremely well without winning, and he finds the ideal assignment on Wednesday. The longer trip suits the enigmatic five-year-old, and barrier four should give his key rivals sleepless nights leading into this event. The tsunami of early money speaks volumes, and I expect his quote to continue to shorten before the barriers open.
Rise To It is a model of consistency. The 3kg apprentice claim could prove decisive, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals after a lengthy campaign. The 2100m suits, and the current track conditions gives him a competitive advantage. Jumping from the carpark draw is his biggest obstacle.
Blanchland is ready to win. Both efforts this preparation have been good without threatening, and I suspect he is ready to peak third-up from a spell. The longer trip is in his wheelhouse, and he has been specked at a price since markets opened. Barrier one should ensure a soft trip in transit, and the 2kg apprentice claim brings him into all winning calculations. He might need some luck getting off the dulex as they swing for home.
Suggested Bet: Nation’s Call @ $3.00
