MIDWEEK RACING PREVIEW – April 17

Chris Scholtz previews the Canterbury meeting on April 17 with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.

CANTERBURY April 17

TRACK RATING – Good 4 (3pm 12/04/24); RAINFALL – 20mm last 7 days; Nil last 24 hours; RAIL – True

Best Bets

RACE 4 (2) HOLLYWOOD HERO: Eye catcher when resuming in higher grade. Well placed this class and distance.

RACE 5 (4) EARTH DANCE: Not much went this import’s way when making his Australian debut. Sure to improve over this longer distance.

For Value

RACE 6 (5) ANAGAIN: Group performer fitter for good first-up placing. Can get home hard if the breaks go her way.

RACE 7 (8) STANISLAUS: Back to the trials since fair effort first-up. Expect improvement.

RACE 8 (6) RHETTARA: Lightly raced mare with plenty of upside. Trials point to a bold fresh performance.

Selections

RACE 1: (1) LITTLE JEANIE; (6) Glebe; (4) Kotaishi; (2) Kings Valley

RACE 2: (6) LADY NIKSTER; (3) Aye Aye Captain; (1) Canara; (2) Trafalgar Square

RACE 3: (2) IMPERIAL FORCE; (11) Willie Oppa; (4) Dark Arts; (9) Media World

RACE 4: (2) HOLLYWOOD HERO; (4) Huesca; (6) Tavs; (8) Terrestar

RACE 5: (4) EARTH DANCE; (11) Natural Deduction; (7) For Victory; (10) Smart Legend

RACE 6: (5) ANAGAIN; (12) Balkans; (10) Yiska; (13) Briasa

RACE 7: (8) STANISLAUS; (13) Storm The Ramparts; (7) Smashing Eagle; (1) Gold Revolver

RACE 8: (16) RHETTARA; (1) Cigar Flick; (3) Queen Of The Mile; (13) Impulsiviity

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – April 17

CANTERBURY Wednesday: Lady Nikster (R2); Dark Arts (R3); Willie Oppa (R3); Balkans (R6); Stanislaus (R7); Audette (R7); Salisano (R7); Queen Of The Mile (R8); Rhettara (R8)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Celestial Legend; Espionage; Diva Las Vegas; Physical Graffiti; Inquisitive Legend; Rantan; Froebel Star; Killcare Beachgirl; Gringotts; Another Wil; Linebacker; More Territories; Lady Of Camelot; Growing Empire; Left Field; Commemorative; Canamble; Empress Of Japan; Red Card; Cassiel; Hallet; Holmes A Court; Short Shorts 

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM April 5 Polytrack: A small set on the polytrack with James Cummings winning the fastest short course heat over 740m with BALKANS (44.12; 33.61). Stablemate STANISLAUS had an easy time in his heat effort of runner-up DARK ARTS in the 2YO heat took the eye.

RANDWICK March 22: Talented 3YO filly QUEEN OF THE MILE has won three races and should be adding to that record in her coming prep after a classy return in her first trial since November. Shared the lead before slipping them on the turn under the coldest of rides from Tom Sherry. She was under no pressure to extend her margin at the finish more than four lengths in fast time (43.10; 32.72).

BLACKBOOK REPORT

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – April 17

CANTERBURY WEDNESDAY: Hollywood Hero (R4)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Quothquan; Circle Of Fire; Miss Joelene; Terra Mater; He’s Our Bonneval; Riff Rocket; Elettrica; Strawberry Rock; Fearless; Commemorative; Illative; Etna Rosso; Pasima; Sir Atlas; Territory Express; Dolphin Skin; Cadetship; Celestial Legend; Gently Rolled; Dark Journey; Our Maryanne

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected April 13

(Follow for next 3 starts)

COLSRIDGE; EL MORZILLO; LETSBEFRANKBABY; MISTERKIPCHOGE; PORT LOCKROY; SNAPPED