Australian racing tips – Wednesday 7 August 2024 – Canterbury

Race 4

ZEITUNG had her consistency rewarded with a victory last time out over 1200M by putting three and a half lengths between herself and the opposition, this after delivering a powerful finish from some way back and coming four wide into the home straight. She does return from a 17-week rest, but has had two barrier trials, finishing fourth in the first and winning the latest and from a handy draw four, she is made the best bet on the day’s card.

BONITA QUEEN followed up her penultimate run victory over 1100M with a third-place finish next time out over 1000M, 2.8L back from the winner, but she jumped awkwardly in that event before recovering quickly to take up the lead and was then only run out of it late. The filly is drawn one outside the top pick and could emerge as her biggest danger. She resumes after a longer 22-week break, but she too has had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest to showcase her well-being.

MAGNUCAT missed out on her hat-trick after two victories over 1000M when finishing fourth last time out over 1100M, just over a length behind the winner, but it should be noted that she raced three wide without cover on that occasion and was returning from a 26-week spell. The form of that race has however been franked and although drawn wide in gate eleven, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 5

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. THE ENGLISHMAN was slow away when finishing fourth last time out over 1800M, 3.3L back from the winner, but he was reported to have not acted in the heavy going that day, so a line should be drawn through that effort. The gelding has his first run for his new trainer and if fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here, jumping from a useful draw two.

DEMARCAY has finished second in two of his last three runs, the latest over 1900M, 0.8L off the winner, but he did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight that day, only seeing daylight at the 200M mark before finishing off his race well, so he can be considered an unlucky loser. The gelding faces a wide draw nine, but he should be right up there when they hit the line.

MOSTRO won over 1300M three runs back, finished fourth in his penultimate start over 1600M and then third in his latest outing over 1500M, 1.7L behind the winner. He chased hard all the way down to the wire that day and from draw seven, he should be included in all bets.

Race 6

The day’s value bet, FLYING DESTINY is seldom far off the action, finishing second last time out over 1200M, two and a half lengths back from the winner, but he was bumped at the start and then came three wide into the home stretch that day, before making good late progress over the closing stages. The gelding has pulled a cosy draw two and should turn in another honest performance here.

CLOUDLAND hung in down the home straight when finishing ninth in his latest outing over 1400M, just under four lengths adrift of the victor. He returns from an 18-week break, but has had two barrier trials, winning the latest and will jump from gate six, as well as having 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

MOLLY NAILS is a 7-year-old mare taking on the boys, but she raced handy and came three wide into the home straight before staying on well to end up in ninth place last time out over 1200M, 4.2L behind the winner. She is drawn the widest of them all in gate twelve, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 7

This looks like a Chris Waller benefit race with three of his four runners in the race tipped to secure the trifecta, but GRACILISTYLA is taken to be the top choice and give champion jockey James McDonald his second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top pick win the opening leg. The gelding had to be switched at the 380M mark to obtain a clear run, before finishing fourth last time out over 1400M, just over a length back from the winner. He jumps from a handy draw two and could prove hard to topple.

YASUKE jumped awkwardly, but stayed on well to end up in second spot last time out over 1400M, beaten just a head and the form of that race has been franked. On that effort, he should appreciate the extra ground on offer here and whilst drawn wide in gate nine, he will be having his peak run after returning from a 38-week spell.

NOBLE CONQUEROR won over 1400M three runs back, finished fourth in his penultimate start over the same journey and then second in his latest outing, also over 1400M, 0.8L behind the winner, but he raced wide without cover in that event. The gelding is drawn even wider in gate thirteen, but he will be hoping to go one better today and makes a solid backup for the yard.