Australian racing tips – Wednesday, 30 April 2025 – Canterbury

Race 5

BRAVE ONE won over 1100M three runs back, finished sixth in his penultimate start over the same c&d and then fourth in his latest outing over 1000M, 4.2L behind the winner, but he was badly hampered shortly after the start that day, so he has his excuse. He returns from a 21 week break, but has had three barrier trials, finishing second in the latest. The gelding gets a handy draw four and the services of Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey Jeff Lloyd to aid his cause.

DEBELLO missed out on his hat-trick after victories over 1400M and 1300M when finishing second last time out over 1500M, beaten just a short-head. He tried to go from jump to wire in that event and was only grabbed in the shadow of the post. The gelding is drawn one inside the top pick and with 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice, he is likely to attempt similar frontrunning tactics today.

METALLIC RULER followed up his penultimate run victory over 1300M with a fifth place finish next time out over the same sprint trip, four lengths back from the winner, but he did come five wide into the home straight, before staying on well over the closing stages. From gate five, he should be included in all bets.

Race 6

OUR EMPRESS ZOE is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys, but she showed solid improvement to win her last start over 1500M by just under a half lengths. She finished best that day to record a well timed victory and from draw six, she could prove hard to topple and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

NAVAL COMMISSION has cracked pole position and jumped awkwardly bumping another runner, before finishing strongly from some way back to end up in tenth place last time out over 1800M, just under five lengths back from the winner. He returns from a 24 week break, but had had the benefit of two barrier trials and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

NO DRAMA was bumped at the 400M mark when finishing fifth in his latest outing over 1300M, just under four lengths adrift of the victor. He has a useful draw three and should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, PERFECT PLAY sat second before striking the front at the 250M mark, only to be collared late to finish up in third spot last time out over 1800M, just under a length off the winner. The gelding jumps from gate seven and will be looking for his third career victory. He renews his rivalry with AHURIRI who is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she finished fifth last time out in the same 1800M race mentioned above, just 1.4L back from the victor, when returning from a 19 week break. She had to be held up at the top of the home straight in that event, but stayed on well over the latter stages. The filly is drawn one inside the top pick, but as the pair meet on the same weight terms today, it may be difficult for her to reverse that result.

REMATCH jumped awkwardly and hit the front at the 200M pole before being run out of it late, finishing fourth last time out over 2100M, just over three lengths adrift of the victor, but the form of that race has been franked. The gelding is drawn on inside the latter, gets Zac Lloyd in the irons and the drop in distance should be to his liking.

Race 8

PHOTOGRAPH won over 1300M three runs back, finished second in her penultimate start over 1200M and then sixth in her latest outing over the same sprint trip, four lengths behind the winner and has finished third in a subsequent barrier trial. She was returning from a 26 week spell that day and came three wide into the home stretch, before being hampered at the 200M mark. The filly will have to negotiate a wide draw nine, but she could provide jockey Chad Schoefield with his second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top choice win the second leg.

ISLAND DEC is another who won three runs back, but in her case over 1200M, finished fourteenth in her penultimate start over 1400M and then eighth in her latest outing back over 1200M, 3.3L behind the winner, but it should be noted that she was bumped at the start and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight on that occasion, only seeing daylight at the 300M mark before finishing off her race well. Her jockey also put up 0.5kgs overweight and jumping from gate five, she will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways here.

LLANDDWYN raced three wide throughout and then came five wide into the home straight when ending up in seventh place last time out over 1300M, 1.8L behind the winner, this after making good late progress. The filly has her first run after an 11 week rest, but finished fifth in her only barrier trial and with the services of a 2kg claiming apprentice, she is sure to put her pole position to good use.