An intriguing midweek at Canterbury and I’ll be playing in every race – but here are my top three bets for the day.
WOMAN (Canterbury Race 3 No 5)
The debut of this regally-bred filly has been much anticipated and I’m confident she’ll live up to the hype. By Frankel out of More Joyous, Woman has been given plenty of time by trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Two lead-up trials this time in have been sharp, including a win over 735m in which she was untouched in the run home. Looks an imposing type, gets a small field with pace on to suit and I’m expecting a dominant debut victory.
BET: WIN
ODDS $2.25 @ Sportsbet (PowerPlay $2.55)
IN TIMES OF WAR (Canterbury Race 5 No 4)
Chris Waller’s consistent four-year-old mare resumes off two lead-up trials and she looks to have filled out during her latest break. A top two finisher at all eight career starts – she’s reliable. And in a small field with plenty of pace engaged she should enjoy a charmed run just off the speed. Horses which beat her last campaign include Bonny O’Reilly, Memes, Miss Debutante and Sisken. Nictock (6 wins from 7 starts) provides genuine competition here but he maps to do plenty of early work and may be nearing the end of his campaign.
BET: WIN
ODDS – $2.30 @ William Hill (PricePump $2.55)
MAHALANGUR (Canterbury Race 7 No 11)
This is the time of year where a midweek winner can turn up in a Saturday Group race and Mahalangur is actually doing the reverse. An eye-catching fourth in the Group III Ming Dynasty at only his second career start and is now dropping back to a midweek Benchmark 73. Carries 53.5kg, gets a genuine tempo to suit his run on racing style and the form out of the Ming Dynasty is already stacking-up as expected. And if you analyse his impressive debut win at Beaumont – the runner-up and third placed horse there have since franked that form in a big way.
BET: WIN
ODDS $2.40 @ Sportsbet (PowerPlay $2.75)
