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Tips by Brad Gray

Tips and insights for Wednesday’s Canterbury Park meeting. There are winners to be found for seven races!

The track is in the soft range and the rail is in the True.

Metaphoric has trialled brilliantly for Chris Waller in his two outings to tune up for this fresh assignment. He kicked off his career with two placings in his debut campaign just lacking a bit of maturity to really finish off his races. What he does have though is great tactical speed and from what we've seen to date, good race sense. Hugh Bowman rode him in both of his trials and he takes the steer on this short priced favourite. Wouldn’t be surprised to see this three-year-old win a couple on end this time of year. A win would see Bowman cut Brenton Avdulla’s metro jockey premiership lead to just 0.5!

Danger: Ex-Kiwi Midnight Delight was transferred to Waller last preparation and she put in two very encouraging efforts placing on both occasions. She has also trialled well. Duchess Pedrille is honest and has race fitness on her side.

How to play it: Metaphoric WIN ($1.70 TAB Fixed Odds)

Metaphoric’s most recent barrier trial – June 26

All Too Soon made a mess of the start on her debut at Rosehill which put an end to any chances she had behind the touted Hualalai. However, it was very encouraging to still see her grab the bit and charge home into fourth. David Payne has had a good opinion of this All Too Hard filly, out of his five-time Group One placed mare Gallant Tess. Her best performed foal so far is Listed winner Rock Hero so it’s fair to say Payne knows all about the family! The fact Payne through her into a Saturday handicap on debut speaks volumes and she was specced in the market too. Looked dynamite in her trials on top of the ground so the drier the better.

Danger: Hypnotist has to give All Too Seen plenty of weight but he has won two from two, included last start against older horses, so far and looks suited out to this trip. Being with the Snowden camp demands instant respect when it comes to youngsters.

How to play it: All Too Soon WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds)

All Too Soon’s debut fourth at Rosehill

Reach For Heaven returned with a very strong win at Newcastle and looks set to go right on with the job this campaign for the very much in form Kris Lees yard. The son of Savabeel has had four runs in town in the past for three placings and a fourth finishing behind the likes of Niccolance, Comin’ Through, Improvement and Echo Effect. Tommy Berry will have the option of tucking him in just behind the speed from the cosy draw which also bodes well for his chances.

Danger: The Pharoah didn't go much first-up at Randwick but it was a much harder race than this (Memes won) and it was on a heavy track. He only had one 900m trial under his belt too. Big improver. Gitan the knockout.

How to play it: Reach For Heaven WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds)

Reach For Heaven’s dominant provincial win first-up

Star Reflection is racing in fine form at the moment and Kris Lees has kept the mare fresh which has worked so well for her recently. She was a month between runs at Randwick last start and flashed home on Heavy 10 going to run third. The four-year-old Time Thief mare drops back from BM78 to BM72 and finds a very winnable one at that. Apprentice Rachel King will be able to put Star Reflection in a stalking position from the inside draw.

Danger: Banuelo won in a blanket finish at Newcastle (Beaumont) last start – ending the winning streak of My Maher – and should be around the mark again. He ran sixth at Canterbury two starts back but in driving rain was only 1.3L from the untapped winner Passage Of Time.

How to play it: Star Reflection WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds)

Star Reflection’s last start Randwick third

Bastia finds a nice assignment here second-up off a 60 day break. His first-up effort was terrific behind emerging three-year-old Cosmic Engine who was rolled as favourite at Warwick Farm on Saturday but it was a much deeper race than this. There’s no doubt that form will stack up here. In his only previous go over the mile he won well at Gosford. So many of his rivals in the market – see Balmain Boy, Quick Defence – have plenty of convictions where as you’d like to think that Bastia’s best days are still ahead of him. Again, we can take plenty of confidence that the flying Kris Lees yard puts the polish on this three-year-old.

Danger: All In The Reflexes has finished in the placings in three of her five outings this campaign and this race looks suitable to crack an overdue win. Her claims are enhanced further by the map which could see her control the race from the front.

How to play it: Bastia EACH WAY ($6 TAB Fixed Odds)

Bastia’s second to Cosmic Engine

Star Crossed made all the running at Wyong first-up to cling on from closers Yarrapower and Kings Of Leon, with the latter subsequently winning at Warwick Farm on Saturday. He’ll come on from that and like that he ticked the 1100m box there having run over 1000m in his four prior outings. Phillip Atkins has been very patient with this late three-year-old and he could develop in a similar way to that of Atkins' last good sprinter In Cahoots who worked through his grades before proving himself a genuine Group horse.

Danger: Legerity resumes after two eye-catching trials. He looked horrible in a Randwick 1000m race back in February but was tipped straight out by Team Hawkes. Won’t be far away from Star Crossed in the run.

How to play it: Star Crossed WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds)

Star Crossed winning at Wyong first-up

Vaniloquio is a veteran but he still does plenty wrong in his races. Not the most conventional way to intro a tip but it’s a word of warning. Last start at Newcastle he bombed the start and then overraced badly out the back. It was a non-event. His run prior to that at Warwick Farm was exceptional from an impossible spot turning for home. This Clarry Connors-trained galloper should be able to settle in a forward spot from barrier 4 with Kerrin McEvoy steering. You wouldn’t have your last on him but he’s worth a gamble at $7 to bounce back. Could get better closer to jump too.

Danger: Tip Top is building a nice record for Les Bridge (4:1-1-2) and we’ll get a guide on the merits of his Newcastle second last start when Hypnotist runs earlier in the day. Viceroy is closing in on another win and gets Bowman.

How to play it: Vaniloquio WIN ($7 TAB Fixed Odds)

Vaniloquio’s first-up run at Warwick Farm

All the fields, form and replays at Canterbury on Wednesday