Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Canterbury on 23 February 2024.
Best Bet: DIPSY DOODLE (Race 7)
Value Bet: ROMA AVENUE (Race 5)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
2 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
3 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
5 | 5 |
| 10 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 5
ROMA AVENUE has won three out of his last four starts, the latest over nine furlongs by 1.8L. He jumped awkwardly that day, but recovered quickly to take the lead, only to overrace in the early and middle stages and then to brush the running rail at the 350M mark, so that effort was, under the circumstances, encouraging. The gelding has pulled gate five and gets the services of non-claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd to aid his cause and is made the value bet on the day’s card.
MORNING SUN won over ten furlongs three runs back, finished second in his penultimate start over a mile and then third in his latest outing back over ten furlongs, 1.2L behind the winner, but he came three wide into the home straight in that event, before staying on well over the closing stages. He is drawn one inside the top pick and will be having his peak run for his new trainer and after returning from a 33-week break.
INVINCIBLE LEGEND did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, but nevertheless showed solid improvement to win his last start over a mile, albeit by just a short head. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide gate nine, but he should not be lightly dismissed.
Race 6
TYCOON JENNY has consistent form lines to her name, finishing fourth in her latest outing over 1100M, just 1.2L back from the winner. She was returning from a 25-week break that day and having her first run for her new trainer. The filly tried to go from jump to wire that day and from her wide draw eleven, she is likely to attempt similar tactics today.
SOUTHERN CHILLI has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three starts, the latest when third over 1300M, 1.8L behind the winner. She sat in second place but was bumped at the 700M mark before striking the front at the 300M pole, only to be run out of it late. She returns from a 21-week rest and has her first run for her new trainer, but she has had three barrier trials, winning the latest to showcase her well-being. If fully settled into her new surroundings and from gate six, she should give a good account of herself here.
FLYING SHELLY has finished second in her last two outings, the latest over six furlongs, beaten just a neck. She jumped awkwardly in that event, but recovered quickly to take up the lead, only to be snared in the shadow of the post. She faces a wide draw nine but gets Zac Lloyd in the irons and should be included in all bets.
Race 7
Two 3-year-old fillies and a 5-year-old mare could fight out the finish to this race and complete the trifecta, but the day’s best bet, DIPSY DOODLE is taken to lead the field home. She won over today’s sprint trip three runs back, finished second in her penultimate start over the same distance and then third in her latest outing over six furlongs, just over three and a half lengths behind the winner when returning from a 38-week spell. It should however be noted that she was bumped at the start that day, but still managed to race up with the pace, only to be run out of it late. She has pulled draw seven and will have champion jockey James McDonald in the saddle.
LOVERO has won two of her last three starts, the latest when putting three and a half lengths between herself and the opposition. She showed plenty of toe that day and has moved to a new stable since then. She has finished sixth in a subsequent barrier trial and whilst drawn the widest of them all in gate eleven, she is a speedy sort who should be able to work her way across without using up too much gas.
TAORMINA had solid form prior to finishing a disappointing fifteenth last time out over six furlongs, some 34.3L adrift of the victor, but she did race three wide without cover in that contest and was reported to have been slow to recover and was immediately rested for 11 weeks. Her well-respected trainer is obviously happy with her well-being and with the three barrier trials that she has had, finishing second in the first two and winning the latest. From her kinder draw three, she should be involved in the finish.
Race 8
THE YEARS has posted two improved last runs, the latest when finishing second over six furlongs, 1.3L behind the winner when returning from a 23-week absence. He raced up with the speed in that contest and stayed on well over the latter stages. The gelding gets a wide gate ten, but on the plus side, he will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.
Two 4-year-old fillies could chase him home, with the slight preference going to INFINITIVE, who although recorded as finishing fourth last time out over a mile, was only just over a length behind the winner, this despite being held up between the 400M and 200M marks. She has a cosy draw three and will be having her peak run after returning from a 43-week spell. With better luck in running, she should be right up there when they hit the line.
CITY OF LIGHTS followed up her penultimate run victory over 1500M with a fifth-place finish next time out over 1700M, 3.8L back from the winner. She raced three wide throughout in that event but made good late progress over the closing stages. She jumps from gate five, and although returning from a 15-week rest, she has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing third in the latest.
