Canterbury tips: Hat-trick looms for Flashing Steel

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BEST BET

Race 1 No. 2: COMMEMORATIVE

Commemorative is a superbly-bred first starter from the Godolphin stable who has been very impressive in her barrier trials. She looks set to get her racing career off to a winning start.

NEXT BETS

Race 4 No. 3: FLASHING STEEL

Flashing Steel is chasing a hat-trick of wins and dominated his rivals to score a very easy win here last start. He is up 3kg but stays in the same grade and can win again.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No. 6: RAMONES

Ramones is resuming in a competitive race but he’s a smart sprinter suited by his inside draw. He’s trialling well and is going to take running down.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 1, 2, 3, 4

Race 5: 1, 3, 7, 11

Race 6: 2, 4, 6, 10

Race 7: 3, 4, 6

TRAINER TO FOLLOW

Annabel Neasham has three runners at Canterbury and could leave with a hat-trick of wins from Flashing Steel (race 4), Never Second (race 5) and Manbehindthemoney (race 7).

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

James McDonald has seven very good rides including overnight favourites Commemorative (race 10, Nostalgia (race 2), Flashing Steel (race 4) and King Of Naples (race 6).

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR CANTERBURY

RACE 1

Commemorative, a first starter from the Godolphin stable, is superbly bred by champion sire I Am Invincible out of the Street Cry mare Memorial, herself a half-sister to 2017 Stradbroke Handicap winner Impending. The James Cummings-trained filly is a tall, powerful filly and has demonstrated considerable natural ability in both her recent Hawkesbury barrier trials including an easy win late last month. James McDonald takes the ride and although Commemorative has come up short in betting, she is the one to beat. Power Ballard has drawn the outside barrier but has tactical speed and led for a long way on debut in a strong form race before her third to Zoukerette and Tutta La Vita on this track two weeks ago. Miss Emma and Lizzie’s Gem are both resuming but coming off good trial efforts.

Bet: Commemorative to win

RACE 2

Gently Rolled ran a massive race first-up at Canberra charging home from last on the turn to just miss in a maiden over 1000m. She was held up at the back of the field coming into the straight and had to change course a couple of times before flashing home. This is a stronger race but the step out to 1250m suits and she is at value odds. Magic Carpet was stakes-placed last season but has been sparingly raced since and is resuming off an impressive barrier trial win. Nostalgia, a well-bred daughter of Zoustar who is closely related to Group 1 winners Alizee and Astern, was a beaten favourite on debut here back in November but also returns off an excellent trial win. Princess Rayaa gets back in her races but has a strong finish.

Bet: Gently Rolled to win, watch betting moves for Nostalgia

RACE 3

Balkans is another first starter from the Godolphin stable who has impressed at the trials. The son of champion sire Lonhro settled behind the leaders then cruised between runners to win a Hawkesbury heat in good style two weeks ago. He looks the one to beat although Pink Shalala, Zouprince and Epic Proportions showed enough in recent trials to suggest they will run well on debut. Pink Shalala led for a long way and was kept under a tight hold when the closest of thirds in Warwick Farm heat. Zouprince was given a searching test in a Gosford trial but it was noticeable he did attack the line strongly. Epic Proportions looks a speedy type but is awkwardly drawn.

Bet: Balkans to win, box trifecta 5, 7, 9, 10

RACE 4

Flashing Steel is up 3kg on his dominant three length win in similar class over the Canterbury 1550m last start. James McDonald stays with Flashing Steel who is chasing a hat-trick of wins. Money From The Sky has been racing well in Saturday grade, looks placed to advantage here and will be finishing strongly. Cinque Torri showed improvement last start chasing home Flashing Steel and rates among the main contenders again. Constructionmaster couldn’t get into the race at Rosehill but drops back to the midweeks and is over the odds.

Bet: Flashing Steel to win, saver on Constructionmaster each way

RACE 5

Petulant was well-backed when resuming and after settling on speed she raced to the front but tired late when fourth to Lavish Empire at Warwick Farm. She’s fitter now and suited this track and distance. Lovero is resuming but won first-up last preparation and comes off a solid trial effort behind the speedy Passegiatta at Rosehill. Never Second drew wide and was ridden conservatively early before working home fairly to finish midfield behind Iowna Merc at Randwick. Never Second drops back to midweek grade and she races well this track. Star Spirit has her first start for the new stable but the mare is a noted first-up performer.

Bet: Petulant each way

RACE 6

Ramones is eligible for easier races but this lightly-raced three-year-old has his share of ability. He’s resuming from a spell but comes off two good trial efforts, he has the tactical speed to take full advantage of the inside barrier and is suited by the track and distance. King Of Naples goes well fresh and his recent trial effort was excellent when he tried to match motors with superstar Giga Kick before finishing a close third. Deep Snow is a smart sprinter resuming but he will be hitting the line hard. King’s Duty, winner of two of his three starts, split stakes winners Kibou and Revolutionary Miss in a recent Gosford barrier trial setting him up for a bold showing here.

Bet: Ramones each way, box trifecta 2, 4, 6, 10

RACE 7

Queenmaker made a mess of her rivals over this course and distance last start, seizing control of the race on the turn and accelerating clear to win by four lengths. The Edward Cummings-trained mare is racing very consistently, seems to be improving the deeper she goes into her preparation, and there is no reason why she can’t win again. Manbehindthemoney is an imported galloper from the Annabel Neasham stable who has shown promise in his two Australian starts. He has to overcome a wide barrier but is suited over this distance. Pharoah’s Reign is also drawn off the track but is racing well and Moktaffy is ready to improve.

Bet: Queenmaker to win, watch betting moves for Manbehindthemoney

Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Canterbury