It’s another Wednesday which means some strong metro racing across the country. Cranbourne will host an eight race card in Melbourne while a drying Canterbury track will see seven races take place across the day.
As usual, Billy Bestford has had a look across all the meetings and has found his best racing tips for the day.
Today's Racing Tips: Wednesday August 17th
Canterbury Race 1
Think the Waterhouse Bott stable could have a smart 3yo on their hands here with (8) Scientist. Two trials to date have resulted in a 9L win and a 3L win, showing good sustained speed throughout. One of those was on wet ground and should handle conditions on offer today. Tim Clark sticks for the ride after being on board for those trials and I think he can get this horse straight to the lead and prove tough to run down at a track which usually favours on-pace runners.
(1) Northern Beaches showed plenty of promise in debut prep, holding his own in in some decent races. Has trialled up nicely for his return and shouldn’t remain a maiden for long.
(4) Ambassadors has looked the part at his trial work leading into this and was pretty unlucky at only run we saw of him here at this track. A drying surface will probably help his chances and clearly has ability.
(6) Kapakiri next best.
(8) Scientist
$2.40 (2.5 units)
Cranbourne Race 4
(4) Xtra Gear resumes from a long spell so you’d think first up on a bog track probably not ideal. With that being said he has jumped out in top order and on best form he’s the one to beat. Competed in group 2 company last prep and should handle the wet conditions. From a good draw today and a small field I think he sees every chance.
(3) Rich Divinity rises a few grades off the back of a debut win but it has plenty of merit. That was on heavy ground and no doubt he improves into his second run.
(5) Botany won well on debut then was far from disgraced in a good race at Caulfield. Has been jumping out okay and the stable are flying at the moment.
(1) Rolling Moss is down in grade and gets his favoured heavy track. With a good apprentice claim he could run them off their legs.
(4) Xtra Gear
$3.40 (1 unit)
Cranbourne Race 5
(13) Sociabeel was solid fresh and should be all the more improved now. Had jumped out well leading into then and I like her rising slightly in trip. I think the current price is pretty fair and she will be winning a maiden soon.
(3) Reactivate beat Sociabeel home first up with the winner of that race running in race 4. That first up effort was his best run to date and looks to have come back in good order.
1300m should suit (12) Lago’s Daughter and she was very good through the line on debut. Stable has been going well and she gets in here with just 54.5kg on her back.
(4) Sconaero looks the best value chance.
(13) Sociabeel
$6.50 (1 unit)
Canterbury Race 4
Think (1) Leo looks extremely hard to beat here back in grade and from a good draw. No prizes for finding him but just looks to get everything in his favour today. Was only beaten half a length to the smart Matoai first up in a strong 78 and should strip fitter for that run now. Jmac jumps on from a low draw and this horse should get the job done against these.
(3) Not Another Reiby was solid enough fresh and will be suited if the track is drying out. Has been in good form of late and should improve 2nd up now.
(6) Resilient Star can run a race at an EW price. Is up in grade but will benefit from a good fresh effort and I think his best form could see him fill a placing.
(5) Buckin’ Beauty was solid in a similar race here last time out and looks a chance.
Canterbury Race 6
(9) Twilight Affair started single figures against Shades Of Rose first up and we saw how dominant that horse was again on the weekend. Expect Clark to find the front here from barrier 2 and she was a winner 2nd up last prep. Will enjoy the Canterbury track and with added fitness now she will prove tough to catch. Still lightly raced and upside is there.
(2) Roots is the class runner and contested some black type races towards end of last prep. Is unbeaten from two fresh runs and she has stacks of talent. Just think these could be a bit sharp for her over 1250m.
(5) Petulant has been a model of consistency this prep but is struggling to win one. She maps well and has hoof on the till for another win.
(4) Centro Storrico will find this easier than last couple of starts when well fancied. She may need some luck from out wide but can pull of a big finish.
(9) Twilight Affair
$3.80 (2 units)
