Canterbury Park and Sale are the feature meetings this Wednesday! With competitive racing expected at both venues, and with the 2024/2025 racing season heading into the final furlong, find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the mid-week cash!
Canterbury Park Race 5
#7 Hell To Pay
Hell To Pay is knocking on the door. All runs this campaign have been rock-solid, and I suspect his next victory is just around the corner. The Hellbent gelding finds a winnable assignment on Wednesday, and the 2kg apprentice claim could prove a training masterstroke. The talented three-year-old handles all conditions, and the step out in trip is advantageous. Hard to knock!
Pink Shalala is racing well at present. The Shalaa gelding caught the eyes of punters two starts back, and he was honest in a hot form race at his latest outing. The James McDonald and Chris Waller combination will attract late market support, and the talented four-year-old looks well placed in this company. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Invade And Conquer is over the odds. The Invader gelding is a model of consistency, and he deserves his shot at this level. The big boy should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy preparation, and he looks the likely leader on paper. If he can stack them up before they swing for home, he could spring a massive upset at a decent price. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Hell To Pay @ $3.00
Canterbury Park RACE 6
#8 La Signora Dane
La Signora Dane can run a drum at a decent price. The Star Witness mare is having a breakthrough campaign and is drawn to perfection on Wednesday. The 55kg is a luxury, and her camp are training winners for fun at present. With a clean break from the barriers, she will pilot the field, and if she can cheat the clock throughout, she will look the winner as they run for the doctor. The final furlong is her biggest hurdle.
Kyeema is ready to peak. Both runs this campaign have been ominous, and he strips fitter as a result of his recent racing. The step out in trip is ideal, and he is a third-up specialist. The key appointment of Tim Clark speaks volumes, and he should get a perfect cart into the race from a middle gate. Acid test.
Peschiera will start race favourite after a near perfect campaign to date. The I Am Invincible mare was a brilliant last-start winner at Sandown, and she was arguably stiff fresh at Pakenham. The bonny mare has upside and progression for days, and I suspect she has more improvement to come for the preparation than her rivals. The step up in class is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: La Signora Dane @ $14.00
Sale Race 5
#5 Pardon My French
Pardon My French looks poised to strike. Both runs this campaign have been good without winning, and I suspect she is ready to explode third-up from a spell. The 2kg apprentice claim brings the Almanzor mare into all winning conversations, and she finds her pet distance on Wednesday. She has been supported at a price since acceptances, and the Ciaron Maher factor must be respected. The carpark draw is her biggest obstacle.
Varane will have supporters after three solid performances for the preparation. The inside draw puts one hoof on the till, and the inform Billy Egan excitedly takes the mount. The step out in trip is ideal at this stage of his campaign, and the current track conditions suit to a tee. The Patrick and Michelle Payne camp are airbourne at present, and I suspect his quote will shorten significantly before the barriers open. The grandstand weight is the biggest deterrent.
Nebuchadnezzar is one honest campaigner. The Rageese gelding was an impressive last-start winner at Cranbourne, and with even luck in transit, he can continue on his winning ways. The more extended trip suits his racing pattern and style, and I suspect there will be plenty of speed up front to bring him into the contest late. His overall winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Pardon My French @ $6.50
Sale Race 6
#4 Sioux Spiri
Sioux Spirit will start race favourite after a dominant victory at Pakenham. The Sioux Nation mare meets easier opposition, and she comes in well at the weights after the apprentice claim. The drop back to 1000m could prove a decisive move, and there has been a truckload of money for the enigmatic four-year-old since acceptances were finalised. Jumping from a different suburb is her biggest challenge.
Tophet looked good first-up without winning. The Hellbent gelding strips fitter, and he deservedly steps up in grade. His record at the distance must be respected, and I suspect the Jamie Mott and Anthony Freedman combination will entice punters late. The progressive three-year-old can camp behind the speed from a middle gate, and if the gaps appear as their heads turn for home, I expect him to figure in the finish.
Symphony Of Colour is coming off a forgive run. The Shamus Award filly had genuine excuses at her latest outing, and I expect her to bounce back on Wednesday. The flighty three-year-old will appreciate the drop-in class, and her best performance here could be fences and panels better than her rivals. She needs to put it all together on race day!
Suggested Bet: Sioux Spirit @ $4.80
