Australian racing tips – Friday 17 February 2023 – Canterbury Park

Best Bet: SOPHIA’S MAGIC (Race 6)
Value Bet: VERY SHARP (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R54.00

Race 5

DR EVIL had his consistency rewarded with a one-and-a-half length victory last time out over a mile. He had to be switched at the 280M mark to obtain a clear run that day but finished strongly to win going away. The gelding has pulled gate six and could be good enough to chalk up his seventh career win here.

FOR VALOUR has cracked pole position and has consistent formlines to his name, finishing second last time out over 1300M, just a head behind the winner. He was bumped shortly after the start on that occasion but recovered quickly to pick up the lead, only to be collared in the shadow of the post, so can be considered an unlucky loser.

SILENT AGENDA is seldom far off the action, finishing second last time out over seven furlongs, two lengths back from the winner. He raced just behind the leader that day and then stayed on well over the closing stages, suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to his liking. From draw five, he should be included in all bets.

Race 6

A 5yr old mare and a 3yr old filly could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but the day’s best bet SOPHIA’S MAGIC is taken to lead the field home. She has consistent formlines to her credit, finishing third last time out over 1900M, just a neck back from the winner. She sat second before striking the front approaching the home turn, only to be snared on the line. She attracted plenty of betting support that day and from a useful draw three, she will be hoping to make amends today.

FAIRWAY STAR put 2.8L between herself and the opposition when winning her last outing over a mile. She struck the front entering the home straight and stretched clear for a comfortable win. She has a useful draw two and could turn out to be the biggest threat to the top choice.

XCITED is the stable companion to the latter. He has only had the two runs to date, winning them both, firstly over seven furlongs on debut and then a neck victory last time out when stepping up to nine furlongs, He went from jump to wire that day and from his wide draw fifteen, he is likely to attempt similar tactics today. He certainly makes a solid back-up for the yard.

Race 7

The day’s value bet, VERY SHARP has finished under a length behind the winner in her last three runs, the latest a third-place finish over today’s sprint trip, just a half-length off the victor, this despite racing three wide without cover and the form of that race has been franked. She delivered a powerful finish from some way back that day and from a wideish draw eight, she is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the latter part of the race.

GIRL MANIA had to be held up on the home turn and eased at the 300M pole before finishing well to end up in third spot last time out over 1100M, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner. She is drawn one outside the former and should be right up there when they hit the line.

ZANZIBAR GEM did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 150M mark, but then finished off her race strongly to end up in third place last time out over 1100M, 1.3L back from the winner. She will have 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice and is sure to put her pole position to good use.

Race 8

BRUDENELL goes for his hat-trick after two victories over five furlongs, the latest by just under a half-length, notwithstanding racing four wide without cover. He battled all the way down to the wire that day and whilst drawn wide in gate twelve, on the plus side he will have 2kgs removed from his back courtesy of his claiming apprentice. He is also a speedy sort who should be able to work his way across without using up too much energy.

Although SHADOW DEVIL is recorded as finishing sixth last time out over six furlongs, he was just 2.2L adrift of the winner, this after being slow away and only getting a clear run at the 200M mark. He jumps from a cosy draw two and should be seen as a big runner in this line-up.

QURAYSHA’S is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but her last three runs have yielded a win, a second and a fifth-place finish last time out over six furlongs, four lengths behind the winner. She raced three wide throughout in that event, but stayed on well over the latter stages and whilst drawn wide, she should be doing her best work late to be involved in the finish.