Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a heavy track.

2. Chipper has been excellent in both starts, chasing Spacewalk here on debut then boxing on after a wide run at Warwick Farm. Unless one of the first starters is well above average he should go close to breaking through.

Dangers: 8. Zou Tiger has trialled well on two occasions, including one on a heavy track, and is a very interesting debutant. Drawn to enjoy a nice run and bears close watching. 12. Zougotcha has only trialled once publicly for a second on a heavy track at Rosehill two weeks ago. On the surface it looked an even effort and has to be respected. 3. Libertaar has had a couple of preps without racing and he looked to trial in very good style in his latest at Rosehill over 1030m. His two recent trials have been far superior to his first two late last year so he could be an improver.

How to play it: Chipper WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Chipper runs third at Warwick Farm on March 23

4. By Nine has struck a very winnable race and he was six weeks between runs when closing fast late at Newcastle at his second start. Much fitter for that, draws well and extra trip likely to suit. Should run well.

Dangers: 3. Stormy Legend has been denied by less than half a length at his last three starts and comes here with five weeks since his narrow defeat to Sanstoc at Kembla in February. Sure to break through at some stage soon and is a threat. 2. Naval Seal was a shade disappointing behind Waterford at Warwick Farm at his second start but debut effort was encouraging and he is up in trip now. Likely improver. 1. Barrichello is at his 10th attempt to snatch a win and he comes through the same race, running fifth. Rise in distance seems an experiment but he’s usually running on and has to be included.

How to play it: By Nine E/W ($12 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

By Nine runs fourth at Newcastle on March 26

2. Daralina Belle enjoyed a great first preparation winning three and going under narrowly once before an even effort in the Four Pillars. Fitter for two trials, wet is okay and small field suits. Should take beating.

Dangers: 4. Too Much Lippy won her first two last prep, including one on a soft 7, and wasn’t disgraced at this level before a break. Comes through a strong trial and looks a serious threat. 7. Rinnova ran on without threatening on a heavy track here in February then back to last and hit the line into second behind Comrade Rosa at Newcastle. Sure to be hitting the line again. 3. Mosht Up ran third in that race at Newcastle then raced away on a heavy track at Scone for an easy win. In great form at the moment and could easily show up.

How to play it: Daralina Belle WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Daralina Belle runs third at a trial at Warwick Farm on March 25

1. Sebrenco burst back to form with a runaway win on a heavy track at Newcastle third-up and if she can hold that form she’s a big chance. The claim helps, she’s drawn to get a nice run just off the pace and is easy to like.

Dangers: 9. Deep Romance is straight out of maiden grade but both her heavy track runs have been excellent, particularly that first-up win at Warwick Farm. She’ll be somewhere around the speed and wouldn’t surprise if she measures up. 5. Arranmore hasn’t been far away in two runs back on heavy tracks though she did have her chance at the Farm two weeks ago. Yet to miss a place so hard to leave her out. 6. California Surreal started $19 in the same race and hit the line strongly into second. That was her first go on a heavy track and she was five weeks between runs. Must be considered.

How to play it: Sebrenco E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Sebrenco wins at Newcastle on March 26

3. Andermatt only had the one run last prep and was an easy winner, he’s since had bone chips removed and trialled a couple of times. Boasts an unbeaten first-up record, handles the heavy and if he’s on song he’s the one to beat.

Dangers: 4. Dragonstone would appreciate a solid tempo and the ability to make ground from the back and if he gets it is a major player. Second-up he tried hard behind Athelric at Warwick Farm. Good chance. 8. Capital Reign has been freshened up since bumping into a 955m specialist at Moonee Valley third-up. Easy trial winner just under two weeks ago, likely to be right on the speed and can take running down. 9. Fox Fighter had excuses when running last in the Fireball second-up. Go on his first-up effort behind Mazu and Zapateo and he has to be considered some hope.

How to play it: Andermatt WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Andermatt runs second in a trial at Warwick Farm on March 14

9. Mahagoni caught the eye at his local debut running fifth in a Midway at Rosehill, hitting the line from well back on a day that was hard to do. Fitter for that, draws well and may just settle a little closer. If he can back that fresh effort up he’s hard to beat. Read trainer David Payne's comments here.

Dangers: 1. Made By Khan is an honest on pacer resuming and won three of his five runs last prep. Just the one trial but resumes near his comfort zone at the 1550m. Sure to be competitive. 5. Arnaqueur is a bit of a mystery, he’s more than good enough on his best to be right in the finish of this. He’s run on without threatening in both runs back to be beaten about 2.5 lengths. One to include in case he decides to compete. 7. Fill Of Fun is back in class after a couple of shots at Group 3 level, not disgraced in the Aspiration two back. Previous form honest so has another chance.

How to play it: Mahagoni WIN ($3.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Mahagoni runs fifth at Rosehill on March 19

9. Diamil looks a real up and comer and he backed up a super first-up effort here to race away over a mile at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Stays around the same trip and while drawn awkwardly there’s speed drawn out so he’s a good chance to get in. Take beating.

Dangers: 5. Easy Campese is a tough on pacer who was run down over this course a month ago at his latest start. Will roll forward and give his usual honest sight. 7. Kalapour is the big query runner, an import with Kris Lees having his first run here. No guide in his trial so keep an eye on betting for a pointer. 13. Marnix was seven weeks between runs when a closing fourth in the National Sprint at Canberra so he’s going to be fitter. Put two nice wins together before that, drawn well and is a definite chance.

How to play it: Diamil WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Diamil wins at Warwick Farm on March 23

1. The Big Easy is fitter for three runs back in Victoria and he didn’t have the best of luck in the latest when a close third at Echuca. Only heavy track run was a win at Rosehill in July, he’s drawn nicely and looks well placed.

Dangers: 9. Mach Schnell is one of two NZ gallopers now with Joe Pride in this race and he does look a little sharper going on his trial effort two weeks ago. Market watch on him and wouldn’t surprise if he’s competitive. 6. Jerle was a bit one paced second-up at Warwick Farm over the 1000m so perhaps the extra trip will be in his favour. He did win third-up last preparation so there’s a case for him to improve. 12. Game Theory had his second start for the Snowdens and proved a bit too strong after racing on the pace at Gosford. He has good heavy track stats and while drawn out you’d imagine he pushes forward. One of the chances.

How to play it: The Big Easy WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

The Big Easy wins at Rosehill in July

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting