Australian racing tips – Wednesday 30 March 2022 – Canterbury Park

Best Bet: NORWEGIAN BLISS (Race 7)

Value Bet: WHODAT (Race 6)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R150.00  

Race 5

This looks to be a tricky F&M Handicap to start off the day’s Jackpot with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. The tentative first choice goes to CROSS THE RUBICON who completed her hat-trick when winning by two lengths last time out seven furlongs, even thought she was slow away that day and found herself at the back of the field, before unleashing a powerfully finish to mow down the frontrunners to record her third career victory. She faces a wide draw ten, but she should be doing her best work late.

THOUSAND YEARS followed up her penultimate run win over 1500m with a second place finish next time out over seven furlongs, 2.3L back from the winner. She was also slow away in that contest, but made good late progress over the closing stages and the form of that race has stood up well with three runners out of that race subsequently winning. She is drawn the widest of them all in gate twelve, but she too should be finishing off her race strongly.

CHASE MY CROWN has consistent formlines to her name and had to be checked at the 1300M mark, but stayed on well to end up in second place last time out over a mile, just under a half length behind the winner. She is drawn one inside the latter and with better luck in running today, she should be right up there when they hit the line.

Race 6

With the late scratching of one of his main rivals, the door may have opened for today’s value bet, WHODAT to chalk up his third career victory. He goes for his hat-trick after two victories over a mile, the latest by a neck. He jumped awkwardly that day and came the widest of them all into the home straight, but finished his race off well. He will have to negotiate draw nine, but given his style of racing, he is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the leaders in the dash down to the wire.

FIELD LEGEND is seldom far off the action and finished second in his latest outing over a mile, just a neck behind the winner. He had to be held up early in the home stretch that day and was then bumped at the 150M pole, so that effort was commendable. He gets a kinder draw two and should turn in another honest performance here.

ATON OF DELIGHT is the stable companion of the latter who won his penultimate start over 1500M and then ended up in fourth spot last time out over a mile, 1.8L adrift of the victor, but he was slow away that day and did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 380M mark. From draw seven, he makes a solid back-up for the powerful Chris Waller yard.

Race 7

NORWEGIAN BLISS is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she is four from four starts over a variety of different distances, the latest victory over seven furlongs by a length and the form of that race looks strong as four runners out of that contest have subsequently won. She went from jump to wire that day and from a wideish gate nine, she is likely to adopt similar tactics here. She does return from a 19 week break, but she has put in an encouraging barrier trial to showcase her well-being and is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card.

GRACILISTYLA had his consistency rewarded with a one and a half-length victory last time out over six furlongs, notwithstanding coming three wide into the home straight. He struck the front at the 150M mark and then held off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. The gelding gets gate six and has his peak run after returning from a 15 week rest and could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

VRENELI showed solid improvement to finish third last time out over six furlongs, just over a length and a half back from the winner when taking over the lead as the field entered the home stretch, only to be run out of it very late. He jumps from a wide gate ten, but will also be having his peak run after returning from a longer 27 week absence and should be involved in the finish.

Race 8

Just like the opening leg of the Jackpot, this looks to be another open affair with plenty with chances. Indeed, a 3yr old and two 4yr old fillies could dominate the finish to the race and complete the trifecta, but I AM BRAZEN gets the nod for top spot. She has cracked pole position and looks for her hat-trick after wins over five furlongs and the latest when putting five and a half lengths between herself and the opposition over six furlongs. Both those victories have come since she returned from a 22 week absence, which was clearly just what she needed.

CALGARY QUEEN was a little disappointing when fifth last time out over six furlongs, just over four and a half lengths adrift of the winner, but she was returning from an 18 week break that day and may well have just needed the outing. She is drawn one outside the top pick and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.

SHANJOMI fought all the way down to the wire when ending up in fourth place last time out over six furlongs, just under three lengths behind the winner. She has her peak run after returning from a 21 week rest and gets a handy draw four. In addition, she will get 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice to aid her cause.