Australian racing tips – Friday 10 February 2023 – Canterbury Park

Best Bet: DAYTONA (Race 6)
Value Bet: YUKON (Race 5)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R90.00

Race 5

YUKON is seldom too far off the action, finishing sixth last time out over nine furlongs, just over three and a half lengths back from the winner, but he jumped awkwardly that day, finding himself towards the back of the field and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight, only seeing daylight at the 300M mark. He gets gate six and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

TARAASHOQ had his consistency rewarded with a one-length victory last time out over this c&d. He raced just behind the leader on that occasion but had to ease at the 200M pole, before finishing off his race well. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning and whilst drawn wide in gate nine, he should turn in another honest performance today.

FIELD LEGEND also won over this c&d last time out, but in his case by a head, despite hanging in from the 600M mark and having to be steadied off the heels of other runners at the 500M pole, and finally being bumped at the 200M mark, so can be considered an unlucky loser. He has pulled gate seven and should be included in all bets.

Race 6

DAYTONA overraced in the middle stages, but still had something in hand to make good late progress over the closing stages to end up in second place last time out over 1500M, just a half-length behind the winner. The gelding has a handy draw four and on that last effort, he is made the best bet on the day’s program.

REGAL POM has consistent formlines to his name and struck the front at the 200M mark, only to be nabbed in the shadow of the post, finishing a short-head second last time out over seven furlongs and the form of that race has been franked. The gelding has a wideish draw eight, but he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice.

MYSTIC MERMAID is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she won over this c&d last time out by just under a half-length, notwithstanding bumping the running rail at the 800M mark and hanging out on the home turn and finally coming three wide into the home straight. Her jockey also put up 1kg overweight that day and from a kinder draw three, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

This looks to be a tricky race with plenty of runners in with a realistic chance of finding the winner’s box, so some caution is suggested. GAME THEORY has finished second in his last two starts, the latest over this c&d, 0.8L back from the winner. The gelding hit the front at the 230M mark in that contest and was only run out of it late. From gate seven, he will be looking to go one better today.

DYNAMIC IMPACT has cracked pole position and has won two of his last three outings, the latest over this c&d by 0.8L. He came three wide into the home stretch that day, but stayed on well over the latter stages.

DALAALAAT was bumped shortly after the start, but kicked clear of the opposition at the 150M mark to win going away in his latest outing over six furlongs, eventually wining by two and a half lengths. He faces a wide draw twelve out of fourteen, but on the plus side he will get 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

Race 8

DASHING LEGEND is a 3yr old filly taking on males. She won over six furlongs three runs back and then disappointed in her penultimate start when stepping up to seven furlongs, but then bounced back with a third-place finish last time out over six furlongs, just under two lengths behind the victor and it should be noted that her jockey put up 0.5kgs overweight that day. She returns from a 15-week rest, but has finished third in her only barrier trial and from her useful draw three, she could give the training partnership of Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes the opening and closing legs of the day’s Jackpot.

NOMINATOR won over 1100M on debut and then finished fourth next time out over the same sprint trip, two and a half lengths adrift of the winner and was immediately rested for 44 weeks. He returns here after having had the benefit of five barrier trials, winning the penultimate and finishing second in the latest to showcase his well-being. The gelding will have to negotiate draw nine, but the fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them.

SEVEN SISTERS is another 3yr old filly in the race. She showed solid improvement to win her last start over 1100M, albeit by just a short-head, despite coming four wide into the home straight. She stayed on well over the latter stages that day and she is sure to put her pole position to good use.