Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s Group 1 $600k Canterbury Stakes with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps – he has included the potential for a damp track in his thoughts. Good luck!
Randwick R7 – $600k Gr1 Canterbury Stakes (WFA) 1300m
1. CASCADIAN (5) 91x341154x
T; James Cummings / J: Brenton Avdulla (59kg)
Tough as teak old stager who always shows up. Will be off speed here but he loves this track and can sprint. He goes well while fresh too and resumes here. Keep him in your thoughts.
2. ARTORIUS (8) 33x66x336x
T: Team Freedman / J: Zac Purton (59kg)
Has a devastating finish when he wants to produce it. Is a Gr 1 winner. His last 3 runs have been in Europe in Gr 1 races and he placed a few times. Gets back, runs on hard and his recent trial win was superb. Keep safe.
3. KIRWIN’S LANE (9) 643x44131x
T: John O’Shea / J; Chad Schofield (59kg)
This is a hard race but he loves this track, is a last start winner of a $2million race and is very tough. Against him is the fact he’s never won at WFA, never won at this trip and his fresh form is average. Look past him today.
4. LOMBARDO (3) 5x616121x0x
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent / J: Brett Prebble (59kg)
In and out type. Led all the way to land the Gr 1 Goodwood over 1200m in good time. Then resumed last start and ran last in a Listed race. Not keen.
5. CONVERGE (4) 3120x6900x
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/ J: Tim Clark (59kg)
Was a terrific 3YO who looked like being a world beater but since turning 4 he has failed miserably in several starts. This looks too sharp.
6. OLD FLAME (6) 123x12713x
T: Team Snowden / J: Sam Clipperton (59kg)
Good handicap sprinter who has won 5 races and tends to always race well. Has a great first up record too and resumes here. But he is up a long way in grade in this. Is trained here though.
7. QUANTICO (10) x4111x0x16
T: John O’Shea /J: Kerrin McEvoy (59kg)
A bit of a conundrum this bloke. He has so much potential and finishing power. Has won 7 of his 13 starts for instance. But can also put in a shocker. Ran time winning first up then flopped in easier race last start. Place.
8. IMPERATRIZ (7) 1x1148x111
T: Mark Walker /J: James McDonald (57kg)
Is the incontrovertible queen of NZ racing with multiple Gr 1 wins. Has been sensationally backed overnight and looks the one to beat.
9. ELECTRIC GIRL (1) 39x82524x1
T: Team Hawkes / J: Zac Lloyd (57kg)
Is very talented and up to Gr 2 level is a powerhouse. Stepping up in class here after a really tough Gr 2 win last start over this trip. Runs on speed and drawn to be in this for a long way.
10. ARGENTIA (11) 227x2910x5
T: Team Freedman / J: Craig Williams (57kg)
Good solid multiple Group galloper who has ability. Ran close up 5th when resuming last start in Melbourne. That was over 1100m behind the smart Lofty Strike and it was in race record time. This is different but has finishing power.
11. GOLDEN MILE (2) 1x21411x2
T: James Cummings / J: Nash Rawiller (56kg)
Superstar who will test these older horses. Always gives the impression this shorter trip suits more even though he is a Gr 1 winner over a mile and is second up here. Which is interesting too as he has not been beaten when 2nd up. Big ask here but he is very smart.
