Australian racing tips – Friday 17 December 2021 – Canterbury Park

Best Bet: BUDHWAR (Race 7)
Value Bet: WALKIN’TALKIN’ (Race 5)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R90.00  

Race 5

The day’s value bet, WALKIN’TALKIN’ has cracked pole position and has consistent formlines to his name. He came three-wide into the home straight before finishing second last time out over 1100M, one and a half lengths behind the winner when returning from a 22-week break. The gelding has only had four runs to date but looks capable of chalking up his second career victory here.

Two 3yr old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to BLACK ON BEAUTY, who put 2.3L between herself and the opposition when winning over this trip on debut. She is a speedy sort and the form of that race has been franked. She will have to negotiate a wideish draw eight, but she should be right up there when they hit the line.

KIR ROYALE finished second first time out over six furlongs and then made the expected improvement to win by 1.8L over 1300M second time out. She hit the front at the 1300M mark that day to win going away. She should have come on further with that run under her belt and from gate six, she should be involved in the finish. 

Race 6

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. KARLSTAD jumped awkwardly when missing out on his hat-trick last time out over nine furlongs, 1.2L back from the winner. He faces a wide draw eleven, but he likes to race handy, so should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

GREEN FLASH steps up in distance after finishing fourth in his last start over 1500M, just over three lengths adrift of the victor, but he was bumped shortly after the start that day, before staying on well over the closing stages, suggesting that he should appreciate the extra ground on offer here. He gets gate seven and should be considered a big runner in this line-up.

BRETON has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when second over 2100M, just a head behind the winner. He was slow away before having to be switched at the 250M pole to get a clear run in that contest, so should be considered an unlucky loser. The gelding will have to overcome a wide draw twelve, but he should be doing his best work late.

Race 7

BUDHWAR is seldom far off the action having finished second twice prior to ending up in fourth place last time out over six furlongs, just under two and a half lengths behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. He jumped awkwardly on that occasion, but then shot into the lead, only to hang out badly in the home straight. He gets gate six and if he is able to keep on a straight course in the latter stages of the race, he could prove difficult to topple and as such, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

LEPREEZY is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys, but she finished fifth last time out over five furlongs, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner when returning from a 24-week absence. She faces a wide draw eleven, but she shows plenty of toe in her races and should be able to work across without using up too much gas. The mare has her first outing for her new trainer and if fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself here.

HE’S A HOTSHOT has consistent formlines to his credit, finishing just a neck second behind the winner in his last start over six furlongs. He does return from a 14-week rest, but he has had the benefit of two barrier trials, winning the latest to prove his well-being. He has an even wider draw thirteen, but on the plus side, he will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. 

Race 8

FOR VALOUR tried to go from jump to wire when missing out on his hat-trick last time out, finishing fourth over nine furlongs, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner. He was only run out of it late and from his handy draw four, he is likely to attempt similar tactics today.

TITANIUM POWER showed marked improvement to win his last start over 1300M by a length, despite being friendless in the betting markets. He jumped awkwardly that day but recovered quickly to pick up the lead and then hold off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. He faces a wideish gate nine but does have his peak run after returning from a 17-week rest.

Although ASLAV is recorded as finishing fifth in his latest outing over 1300M, he was just under a length and a half off the winner and the form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. From a slightly kinder gate seven, he should be included in all bets.