Canterbury Park and Sandown Lakeside are the feature meetings this Wednesday. With the new racing season in full swing and the spring majors just around the corner, who will stand-up and announce themselves? Find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the mid-week cash!
Canterbury Park Race 5
#1 No Drama
No Drama is a model of consistency. The Ghibellines gelding will appreciate the significant drop-in class, and the current track conditions suit to a tee. He strikes his pet distance on Wednesday, and the 3kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversations. The talented six-year-old loves Canterbury more than the Bulldogs, and he has been well supported since acceptances. Hard to toss.
Bat Out Of Hell is knocking on the door. The Hellbent gelding has raced extremely well in some hot form races, and I suspect he is ready to produce his peak performance for the campaign. His record at the track and trip must be respected, and the perfect inside draw should put his rivals on notice. He may need some luck getting off the dulex as they run for the doctor.
Seven’s resumes with an air of expectation. The Bated Breath gelding has caught the eyes of punters at the trials, and he is drawn to receive every possible chance first-up from a spell. The distance won’t cause any issues, and his breeding indicates he will handle a bottomless track. I’d prefer to promote his case over further and deeper into his preparation.
Suggested Bet: No Drama @ $5.00
Canterbury Park RACE 6
#7 Dimitrov
Dimitrov is over the odds. The I Am Invincible gelding was good without winning fresh, and I suspect he will benefit significantly from his recent outing after a long layoff. The drop-in trip plays into his favour, and I expect him to roll forward from the awkward gate with a positive break. His best career performances have been with some give in the ground, and he has been specked at a price since fields were finalised. The one to beat!
Slinky will have plenty of supporters after savaging the line late at Randwick. The Autumn Sun mare should be rock-hard fit after several honest performances under her belt, and the key appointment of James McDonald speaks volumes. The inside draw will allow her to sit closer in the run, and if she can see oxygen before heads turn for home, I expect her to figure in the finish. Her recent winning record is the primary concern.
The Extreme Cat is racing better than it suggests in the bible. The Extreme Choice gelding isn’t racing with much luck, and this looks like a winnable assignment on Wednesday. The step out in trip is advantageous, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on most of his rivals after a lengthy campaign. Ashley Morgan already has a winning association with the big boy, and the current double figure odds represents great each way value. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Dimitrov @ $15.00
Sandown Lakeside Race 6
#2 Hanafubuki
Hanafubuki is ready to win. Both runs this preparation have been good without threatening, and I suspect she been set to strike third-up from a spell. The Savabeel mare will appreciate meeting easier opposition, and the 3kg apprentice claim puts one hoof on the till. The 2400m is ideal at this stage of her campaign, and she looks one of the better bets on a tricky and competitive campaign.
Untethered has been racing well without winning. The step out in trip helps his case, and I suspect the current track conditions will give him a competitive advantage. The Turn Me Loose gelding gets in well at the weights after the 3kg apprentice claim, and he is drawn perfectly in a middle gate. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Rosso is coming off a forgive run. His form prior looked ominous, and I suspect the camp are out for redemption on Wednesday. The 2kg apprentice claim puts him in the mix, and he looks extremely well placed in this company. The longer trip is advantageous, and his double figure quote went quicker than last weeks’ pay. He may need some luck in the run from the awkward alley.
Suggested Bet: Hanafubuki @ $5.50
Sandown Lakeside Race 7
#1 Here The Crowd
Here The Crowd is flying at present. The Trapeze Artist mare was an impressive winner three starts ago, and she was game in defeat at her latest outing in a strong form race. She finds a winnable assignment here, and I suspect she will appreciate the significant drop in grade. Barrier two brings her into all winning conversations, and the 2kg apprentice claim makes her extremely hard to beat.
Yachiyo will start as the race favourite after turning heads at the jump-outs. The Epiphaneia mare has superior form, and her best performance here could be fences and panels better than her rivals. She looks well placed in this company, and the inform Blake Shinn could ride a broomstick to victory at present. I’d prefer to support her case deeper into her preparation. Major player.
Molly The Magician was an impressive last winner. The Squamosa mare deserves her opportunity at this level, and she has been well supported at a price early doors. The progressive four-year-old will thrive in the current track conditions, and the 1400m looks ideal at this stage of her preparation. If she can be presented with her run at the right time, I expect her to make her presence felt late. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: Here The Crowd @ $5.00
