Winning Form share all of their best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Canterbury Park on 21 June 2023.
Best Bet: KAPAKIRI (Race 4)
Value Bet: STAR SPIRIT (Race 6)
Jackpot (race 4 – 7)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
4 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
1 | 11 | 8 | 6 |
| 3 | 3 | 2 |
Cost: R54.00
Race 4
KAPAKIRI has cracked pole position and is seldom far off the action, finishing fourth last time out over seven furlongs, 3.3L back from the winner, when returning from a 15-week rest. He was slow away that day but made good late progress over the closing stages and should turn in another honest performance today.
DISCOVER is the stable companion to the top choice and did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight when finishing fourth on debut over six furlongs, just under a length and a half behind the winner. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice and makes a solid back-up for the powerful Chris Waller yard.
DIVA CAROLINA is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has consistent formlines to her name finishing fifth last time out over six furlongs, 1.7L back from the winner, but it should be noted that she had to be held up approaching the home turn, so should have finished closer to the victor than she officially did. She is drawn one inside the latter and should be involved in the finish. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether his connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for him should be respected.
Race 5
ASGOODASSOBERGETS followed up his penultimate run victory over 1500M with a fourth-place finish next time out over ten furlongs, just over three lengths back from the winner, but he raced wide throughout and came five wide into the home straight, before hanging in down the home stretch. He has his peak run after returning from a 26-week break and has the cheek pieces fitted for the first time and although drawn wide in gate ten, on the plus side, he will get 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.
OKATAINA also won his penultimate start, but in his case over a mile and then finished fourth next time out over nine furlongs, 2,2L off the winner. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and from draw seven, he is likely to attempt similar tactics today and could prove difficult to reel in over the latter stages.
ARISTONOUS is the stablemate to the top pick and was friendless in the betting markets when winning his last start over a mile by a length. He was returning from a 33-week spell that day and raced three wide without cover, before storming home. The gelding will have to negotiate gate eleven, but nevertheless, he makes a solid backup for the Annabel Neasham yard.
Race 6
A 4yr old and a 3yr old filly, as well as a 6yr old mare could fight out the finish to this race and complete the trifecta, but the day’s value bet, STAR SPIRIT is taken to lead the field home. She won over six furlongs three runs back, finished ninth in her penultimate start over 1300M and then third in her latest outing over 1100M, two lengths behind the winner when returning from a 23-week rest and a change of trainers. She has a handy draw-two and looks to be the one that they all must beat.
STOLEN JADE has finished closer to the winner in each of her last three starts, the latest when second over six furlongs, 2.3L behind the winner and she has won a subsequent barrier trial. She did jump awkwardly in that event and came four wide into the home straight, so she did have her excuses. She jumps from gate six and should be right up there when they hit the line.
LUCKY VARIETY is drawn one inside the latter and goes for her hat-trick after two victories over 1100M, albeit the latest by just a head, but this was despite being held up between the 400 and 300M mark. She returns from a 21-week break but has put in three encouraging barrier trials to showcase her well-being.
Race 7
HELL HATH NO FURY is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she finished sixth last time out over seven furlongs, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner when having her first run for her new trainer. She gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, she should be a big runner here. From her cosy draw four, she could give trainer Annabel Neasham her second winner in the day’s Jackpot.
LITTLE BEGINNINGS has his hat-trick attempt after two wins over seven furlongs, the latest by two lengths. The gelding hit the front at the entrance to the home straight and then held off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. He will have to deal with the widest draw of them all in gate eleven, but the trio is very much on the cards.
FLASHING STEEL on the other hand completed his hat-trick with three victories over 1500M, the latest by 0.8L. The gelding is the stable companion to the top pick and from a kinder draw three, he could complete a red-letter day for trainer Annabel Neasham.
