Australian racing tips – Friday 9 December 2022 – Canterbury Park

Race 5

FIELDING has cracked pole position and followed up his penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a second-place finish next time out over 1100M, beaten just a head, when returning from a 19-week break, but he did jump awkwardly that day and then shifted out over the final 50M, so can be considered an unlucky loser. He will get 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd. XPRESSO had his consistency rewarded with a half-length win last time out over 1100M, when returning from a longer 21-week absence. The gelding kicked clear at the 200M mark in that contest and then held off the chasing pack in the dash down to the wire. He faces a widish gate seven, but he should turn in another honest performance today. CAPITAL REIGN is drawn one outside the latter and has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when third over five furlongs, one length adrift of the victor. He came three wide into the home straight on that occasion, before shifting out from the 300M pole and should be included in all bets.

Race 6

The day’s value bet, COURT DEEP has cracked pole position and won his penultimate run over 1300M and then followed that up with a fifth-place finish next time out over a mile, nearly eight lengths adrift of the winner, but he tried to go from jump to wire that day and was run out of it over the latter stages. That was also in soft going and the drop in distance could see him bounce back to his better form. MACH SCHNELL was crowded at the 1200M mark and then came the widest of them all into the home straight to end up in eighth place last time out over seven furlongs, just under four lengths behind the winner. From gate six, he should be right up there when they hit the line. ALWAYS ON SHOW is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys, but she is seldom far off the action, finishing fifth last time out over 1900M, 2.3L back from the winner and has had a subsequent barrier trial. He is drawn one inside the latter and will have 2kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice to aid her cause.

Race 7

This looks to be a tricky F&M Handicap with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. AUSTEJA has won two out of her last three runs, the latest over five furlongs by one and a half lengths. She struck the front at the 100M mark that day and then went on to win going away from the opposition. She will have to deal with a wide gate nine, but she should be doing her best work late. IDAL IMPACT had her consistency rewarded when winning her last start over 1100M, albeit by just a short head. She led the field into the home straight on that occasion and then battled all the way down to the wire. She is drawn one gate wider than the top pick, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much gas. VIENTIANE won over this sprint trip three runs back and was slow away when finishing third last time out over the same distance, just a length off the winner, when returning from a 17-week rest. From her kinder gate four and with 2kg claiming Zac Lloyd up, she should be seen as a big runner in this line-up.

Race 8

HUON has won two of his last three outings and finished second in the other, the latest victory over six furlongs by a head. His record of seven runs for three wins, three seconds and one third place finish speaks for itself and although jumping awkwardly last time out, he recovered well to sit in second place, before finishing best to get up in the shadow of the post. The gelding is sure to put his pole position to good use and provide young Zac Lloyd with a red-letter day. As such, he is made the bets bet on the day’s card. KIR ROYALE is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she showed solid improvement to win her last start over seven furlongs by 1.3L. She raced up with the pace and took over the lead at the top of the home stretch and was eased down approaching the finishing post. She on the other hand faces a wide draw fourteen out of sixteen, but she is a speedy sort who should be able to work her way across without using up too much energy. She does return from a 28 week break but has posted two encouraging barrier trials and could emerge as the biggest threat to the former. BUGALUGS stayed on well when finishing fourth last time out over six furlongs, just over two lengths adrift of the victor and will have the services of a 1.5kg claiming apprentice. The gelding has pulled a useful draw three and should be involved in the finish.