Wednesday 14 July 2021 – Canterbury Park

Race 4

This looks to be a tricky race to start off today’s Jackpot and some caution is advised. Three 3yr old fillies could fight out the finish to the contest and complete the trifecta. In fact, the top three selections renew their rivalry today and all things considered, we could have a confirmation of that last result, as well as a reversal of the form. NO LAUGHING MATTER showed marked improvement when stepping up to six furlongs to win her last start by a short head. She went from jump to wire that day and from a handy draw four, she could prove to be difficult to reel in over the closing stages.

TASTEBUD has consistent formlines to her name and jumped awkwardly, but stayed on well when finishing fourth last time out, 1.9L behind the top choice in the race mentioned above. She gets 1.5kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice and as such, meets the former on 2kgs better terms today. She is however draw wideish in gate eight and as such, she may have to settle for the same result.

YESMEENA did finish third in the same race, 0.3L in front of the latter, this after being slow away and bumped shortly after the start. She also had to be steadied off the heels of runners in front of her at the 900M when over racing. She is also 2kgs better off with the top choice, but she is drawn the widest of them all in gate ten and her over racing antics during that last race has counted against her here. Having said all that, there should not be much separating the trio when they hit the line.

Race 5

TAMERLANE is seldom far off the action and fought on all the way down to the wire before ending up in fourth place last time out over 1100M, one length behind the winner. He has drawn in gate five and seems likely to turn in another honest performance and as such, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

ROAMI has won two of his last three runs, the latest over five furlongs by a head. He skipped clear at the 300M mark that day and held off the chasing pack over the latter stages. He has pulled draw two and gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time. If these have the desired effect, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top pick.

ESCAPE ARTIST is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys and was bumped shortly after the start when ending up in sixth place last time out over 1100M, 1.7L back from the winner. She finished off her race well that day and whilst drawn wide in gate twelve out of thirteen, she should be doing her best work late and be involved in the finish.

Race 6

MACCOMO has consistent formlines to his credit and jumped awkwardly before trying to go from gun to tape, but ending up in second place last time out over 1500M, one length behind the winner. He attracted plenty of betting support that day and from his cosy draw four and having 2kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice, he will be hoping to make amends here and as such, he is made the value bet on the program.

BETHENCOURT has solid form having also finished second last time out over 1500M, but in his case, 1.8L back from the victor. He had to be held up for a run between the 350M and 200M mark that day and did well to finish as close to the winner as he did. He faces a wide draw twelve, but nevertheless, he should not be lightly dismissed in this line-up.

FANTASTIC BABY is drawn one outside the latter but has won three of his last four outings, the latest over a mile by a neck. He has his peak run after returning from a 24-week absence and should be right up there when they hit the line.

Race 7

OFF SHAW has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when second over seven furlongs, just a half-length adrift of the winner. He hit the front at the 280M pole that day and was only run out of it very late. He faces a wide draw twelve, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

SILENT AGENDA is seldom far off proceedings and messed up the start before finishing second last time out over six furlongs, 0.8L back from the winner. He battled all the way down to the wire that day and from gate three, he should be a factor in this line-up.

Although WAIRERE FALLS is recorded as finishing fifth in his latest outing over 1500M, he was just 2.3L behind the winner, this despite coming five wide into the home straight. The colt jumps from draw five and should be included in all bets.