Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s meeting at Canterbury. Selections based on a good track.

2. Fudai appears to be looking for the extra trip and while unplaced here last time he found the line quite well at the 1550m in a handy maiden. Might be able to settle a bit closer up in trip from the good gate. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 8. Rangitikei ran a much improved race up to this trip a few weeks ago and is destined to get an easier run from the inside. Good chance to break through. 10. Mr Plume was runner-up in the same race and thought he had his chance to get past the winner. It was only his third start so could be open to some more improvement. 6. Duma produced her best result in six starts when runner-up to Grebeni at Newcastle a month ago. Chance to go on with it.

How to play it: Fudai WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds) Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Fudai runs fourth at Canterbury on December 16

8. Shalatin gets one more chance to break through after going under as favourite at his first start as a gelding. He did run second and to be fair might have bumped into a handy one there. Blinkers go on and looks to get a race run to suit.

Dangers: 4. Good Once was scratched at the barrier at a recent meeting so he hasn’t raced since making it three seconds from as many starts at Kembla on December 10. Draws to be prominent and can give a sight. 2. Eyeque had two starts on heavy tracks in the winter and wasn't entirely disgraced, particularly in the second behind Matcha Latte. Has trialled well and could be an improver. 5. Hollywood Hero debuts with gate one and has trialled a number of times in the past six months. Any support could be significant.

How to play it: Shalatin WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Shalatin runs second at Canterbury on December 16

10. Moonlight Grace produced a huge effort after sitting wide to hit the front only to be grabbed in the last stride at Gosford second-up. Finds a winnable city maiden, draws well and should be even fitter. Sure to take beating.

Dangers: 13. Rocketeer Girl might have an easier time up front at her second start after facing the breeze on debut when fourth here almost a month ago. Blinkers go on and she shapes as a big improver. 8. Leandra has been solid in both starts so far and kept finding the line here two weeks back behind Demiana. Each-way claims again. 15. Vincetta made a promising return at Warwick Farm, running into third at big odds. Just coming back 100m might not be ideal so she's one to watch for next time.

How to play it: Moonlight Grace WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Moonlight Grace runs second at Gosford on December 22

1. Willinga Freefall is unbeaten in three starts in the country and the ease of his Tuncurry win suggests he’s well up to a low benchmark city race like this. Still has the 60kg to carry but that also says he’s at this level. Go well.

Dangers: 4. Mystic Mermaid settled back and didn’t come into it at all when resuming. Had some support there so inclined to give her another chance up in distance. 6. Blueskin ran up to his short price when scoring a solid first-up win at Newcastle. Has a tricky gate but looks promising. 11. Semana is another up and comer who has won two from three and did it easily enough at Goulburn as a short priced favourite a couple of weeks ago. In the mix.

How to play it: Willinga Freefall WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Willinga Freefall wins at Tuncurry on December 13

13. Grebeni was a good thing beaten last start at Gosford and the only plus is that he didn’t get penalised at the weights for this race. He’s a stayer on the way up and with even luck in running is capable of taking this out.

Dangers: 4. Trust The Process lumped 63.5kg into second at Canberra last time out and while a beaten favourite the effort was still sound. Has been placed at this trip previously and with Nash on he’s worth including. 16. Portnoy will be fitter for two runs back, he's had his chance in both but only win has come at this trip and he should be ready for it. 15. Mighty Willie ran an even race fresh then a bit disappointing second-up where he just ground away. Chance to improve here.

How to play it: Grebeni WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Grebeni runs fourth at Gosford on December 22

3. I Am Me has been excellent this prep coming through the grades with three easy wins and ticked the 1200m box at Randwick last time. Drops nicely in weight and has the speed to be in the first few from the outside. Logical horse to beat.

Dangers: 1. Ranges will be much fitter for a midfield finish in the Razor Sharp where he didn’t do a bad job off a wide gate. He’s an honest type and it would be no surprise if he improved into the placings. 5. Dragonstone will get back and look to charge home. Disappointed in the Razor Sharp but staying down in the weights he’s worth throwing into the mix. 7. Snippy Fox is capable of a cheeky first-up run from the back, especially if they overdo it up front.

How to play it: I Am Me WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

I Am Me wins at Randwick on December 17

6. Tsarina Sophia looks a promising filly and she resumed with a very soft win at Wyong almost a month ago. Fitter and the extra 100m holds no fears. Expect her to be right in the finish again.

Dangers: 4. Girl Mania is usually a backmarker and did run second to Norwegian Bliss earlier this year when fresh. Her trials have been handy and she’ll be strong at the finish. 8. Luna Rocks had cardiac arrhythmia when beaten as an odds-on favourite at Hawkesbury. Forgive that, she’s been back to the trials for a tickover and can be a big improver. 2. Super Bright has been freshened since a handy third in a Midway at Randwick back in October. Not sure where he gets to from the gate but is lightly raced and with upside so keep in mind.

How to play it: Tsarina Sophia WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Tsarina Sophia wins at Wyong on December 8

3. He’s A Hotshot has shown consistency this time in with three placings from as many starts and was ambushed by a stablemate here last start in a similar race. Down 1.5kg and will give a big sight up on the speed.

Dangers: 8. Ringmaster contested some strong races last time in and is a very interesting runner right back in class and first-up. Trials have been fair, but drawn well and is one to keep an eye on. 5. Silent Agenda was far from disgraced when resuming over 1250m here a few weeks back. Loomed but perhaps fitness told late. Better for it and while staying at the short course he’s not to be overlooked. 9. Lease ran a nice race at this trip when resuming last time in. Gelded and trialled well around I Am Me and Kalino leading in. Each-way. 1. For Valour has a big weight but is also capable of running well fresh from the inside alley.

How to play it: He’s A Hotshot WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

He’s A Hotshot runs second at Canterbury on December 16

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