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Tips by Brad Gray

Brad Gray's 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 out 6m the entire.

Runaway was only nailed late by D’argento at Rosehill last start and clearly relished getting out towards the mile. The Manhattan Rain colt looked to be coming back to the chasing pack half way down the straight but found a second kick to break away again. Then factor in Canterbury which should suit Runaway down to the ground. He’ll bowl along out in front and now with a 1500m run under his belt, be terribly hard to peg back.

Danger: Gresham is a real work in progress for Chris Waller but he has plenty of ability. He ran home from last behind Assimilate and Dracarys last start at Randwick and that form should stack up. Out to 1550m looks to suit and the inside draw might see him settle a touch closer. I’d suggest he’ll be the one to follow in six months time.

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

Runaway’s second to D’argento

Funoon is a filly who possesses a lethal turn of foot. She was brought undone by a wide gate at Wyong last start but her effort to get as close as she did was enormous. Tommy Berry should have her cuddled up from barrier 3 and with the right split in the straight, can dart through to take this out. The big unknown is the 1250m given her only two runs to date have been over 900m and 1000m. This daughter of Dream Ahead has a bit of x-factor about her.

Danger: Devolving is also a very talented filly and as you could say about most in this field, is untapped. Like the way she went about her work in her first campaign. Tactics will be crucial from barrier 7. Regimen couldn’t have done much more on debut while Sebring Express has the runs on the board.

How to play it: Funoon WIN ($4 TAB Fixed Odds)

Funoon’s Wyong resumption

Looks a race in two between Smartedge and Gold Standard. Leaning the way of Smartedge as suspect he’ll be the one that comes on the most from his debut. He did plenty wrong as a very well supported $1.80 favourite and despite overracing in the middle stages, still only got beaten in a photo by D’argento. Back in third was Super Ex who has since won himself. The Snowden camp have been very particular about where placing him since, having been scratched a number of times. He’s a smart animal with what looks a bright future ahead of him.

Danger: Gold Standard didn’t have the early dash to take up the running (behind Addictive Nature) as we’re so accustomed to with Waterhouse and Bott runners so like that he is drawn out a touch here. Has the option to keep pressing on. Out to 1250m from 1100m looks to suit too.

How to play it: Smartedge WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds)

Smartedge’s Newcastle debut behind D’argento

It’s not very often you see a horse do what Chatelard last start. After winning over 1400m on debut at the provincials he was sent straight to town out to 1900m and won again. He’ll find this a tougher task again against some seasoned stayers but he has the scope to go right through the grades. Looks destined for bigger and better things than midweeks. Let’s just hope it hasn’t all come too soon for him. Tommy Berry should have him in a lovely midfield spot from the draw and he’ll get his chance from there to go three from three.

Danger: More Than Fabulous doesn’t have any upside but he looks the one to take advantage if there are any chinks in the armour of Chatelard. He boxed on bravely behind Vaucluse Bay last start finishing alongside Life O’brien. That measures up here.

How to play it: Chatelard WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds)

Chatelard’s last start Canterbury win

Malahat fits into this race very nicely as a colt loaded with potential. He boasts early two-year-old form around the likes of Pariah, Invader and Menari before returning to bolt in at Canterbury where he accounted for highly-rated stablemate Kementari with ease. Forget his subsequent run at Eagle Farm on a maligned track. He has only had the one 735m trial but went nicely and you just have to trust that James Cummings and the Godolphin crew have got him fit enough for this first up assignment. He’ll certainly know he is in a race with Ecellere tearing along in front though.

Danger: Nassak’s first up fifth didn’t look anything flash but Memes beat Clipper and Sangiovese (who has since beaten Launch Code). Strips fitter and could be the one poking through late if the leaders overdo it. Ebenos is a handy galloper but hard to have off his disappointing return.

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

Malahat’s win over Kementari

Missile Coda was left a touch flatfooted at Canterbury last start with Ecellere leading from start to finish but she still kept finding the line. She was enormous winning first up off a lengthy spell at Wyong beating the race fit Vincero who has subsequently bolted in. Out to 1250m looks to suit now third up and she’s found the right race to bounce back in. The query is the barrier. Blake Shinn will have to sum things up very early from out there as to not be trapped throughout. Would like to see him push on to sit first or second, even if it means doing some early work.

Danger: Super Star Bob was scratched from Saturday’s Highway Handicap. Finds himself here instead and his sixth first up was much better than it reads in a handy three-year-old race. Never underestimate Matty Dale when he comes to town. Wary of a fresh Cosmopol.

How to play it: Missile Coda WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds)

Missile Coda’s last start fourth

Would have had more confidence if Excited Prince hadn’t drawn so wide but if it’s no disadvantage to come down the middle by the last, this veteran in the Jason Coyle yard is worth a ticket. His two runs back have been deceptively good and out to the mile third up is a perfect progression. His form over this track and trip is very strong with three seconds from four tries. He is $15 for a reason though. He doesn’t win often and needs luck in running. The two go hand in hand. Still, this is winnable.

Danger: Fortensky should get a cart across from Street Pursuit to offset the wide draw. His form is rock solid, unlike the majority of his rivals. Back out to the mile suits after dropping back to 1400m last start. Not sure what to make of Vanell after his last start flop.

How to play it: Excited Prince WIN ($15 TAB Fixed Odds)

Excited Prince hitting the line behind Mana last start

All the fields, form and replays at Canterbury Park on Wednesday