Canterbury best bets, inside mail for Wednesday, July 9, 2025
The Daily Telegraph and Racenet form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Canterbury on Wednesday.
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CANTERBURY TIPS
BEST BET
Race 5 No.3: CASSIEL
Very good winning both starts this time in and can bring up the hat-trick.
NEXT BEST
Race 4 No.10: CELTIC SIN
Won two from three this preparation and had excuses in the other.
VALUE BET
Race 2 No.10: ISSY'S STAR
Runner-up to a very promising horse on debut before a big win second-up.
BEST EXOTIC
Quinella Race 5: 1, 3
QUADDIE
Race 4: 4, 9, 10
Race 5: 1, 3
Race 6: 3, 5, 7
Race 7: 6, 7, 11, 12
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
TOMMY BERRY has some nice rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.
LAY OF THE DAY
Race 4 No.4: NARBOLD
First start in Sydney and up 7kg on his last run at Flemington.
CANTERBURY INSIDE MAIL
RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m)
FROM THE PEAK (4) started an odds-on favourite on debut at Newcastle in March where she was left to lead and run down late by Maybe Moet. Led and held out Sovereign Hill in her latest trial at Randwick. MISS JONES (6) was bumped on the turn when fourth to Regimental Colours here first-up before a second behind Glorious Moments at Canterbury. THE STARS (7) was good in her first campaign including a nose second to Scalable at Canterbury and a third to Kilonova at Rosehill. Has been good in both recent Randwick trials.
BET: FROM THE PEAK to win.
RACE 2: 2YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)
ISSY'S STAR (10) lost three plates when a two-length second to Raging Force on debut at Muswellbrook. Was very impressive second-up leading all the way by nearly six lengths on a heavy track at Coffs Harbour. BRYANT (3) was held up passing the 300m when runner-up to Raging Force on the Kensington last start. Was fourth to Miss Freelove when resuming on a heavy track here. BESIDE THE OCEAN (16) is a half-sister to Farnan by Zoustar. Sat outside the leader to win her first Rosehill trial. Closed nicely late when second to Magical Star in her second heat.
BET: ISSY'S STAR each-way.
RACE 3: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m)
SIGNOR TORTONI (3) was beaten as a short-priced favourite by Octa De Lago when resuming on a heavy track at Goulburn. Bounced back with a big all-the-way win from Justice Warrior at Gosford on June 12. Runner-up in both runs here. HAWKER HALL (2) led all the way to beat Mal Coupe at Gosford the same day. Better than his last start seventh to Getafix over 1300m on the Kensington. Drops in grade and distance. KILONOVA (5) score a handy debut win at Rosehill in February. Was strong through the line without pressure when just behind the placegetters in both recent trials.
BET: SIGNOR TORTONI to win.
RACE 4: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1550m)
CELTIC SIN (10) resumed with an impressive win on a heavy track at Wyong and again put a margin on her rivals over 1500m at Hawkesbury last start. Had a wide run and pulled up lame in her run in between. STARPHISTOCATED (9) took improvement from her first-up third at Newcastle over 1200m. Stepped up to 1400m when she returned and was too good for Crimson Miss on a Heavy 8. Looks suited stepping up in trip again. NARBOLD (4) is better than his last run at Flemington. Placed his previous two in similar grade to this.
BET: CELTIC SIN to win.
RACE 5: BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1100m)
CASSIEL (3) raced well in his first two campaigns but has come back even better this time in. Led all the way to beat Apex over this track and distance before a big win at Hawkesbury. Can make it a hat-trick. MAFIA (1) ran a couple of handy placings in town before ending his campaign with a deserved win from Agenda Setter over 1250m here. Resumes for a new stable and has a couple of first-up wins. Nice trial win in his Nowra heat. OPAL FIELDS (6) will take improvement from her first-up sixth on the Kensington. Placed runner-up in both second-up runs.
BET: CASSIEL to win.
RACE 6: BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1250m)
BRAVEHEART (7) settled back in the field before closing strongly late when beaten under a length in third behind Axius when resuming over 1100m on the Kensington. Is a second-up and will appreciate a step up to 1250m. BARTOLF (5) scored a good win second-up last campaign and was a close second her two starts later. Returns as a gelding and has been good winning both Randwick trials this time in. HANAU (3) was held up passing the 200m when second to Denman Star first-up. Is a second-up winner and has won at this track and distance.
BET: BRAVEHEART to win.
RACE 7: BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1900m)
HOVLAND (12) was beaten a nose by Okami Star over 1600m on a heavy track second-up at Gosford before stepping up to 1800m and scoring a smart win from Magicon over 1800m at Hawkesbury. NATURAL DEDUCTION (7) raced wide throughout when down the track behind Kenmare Bay here two starts ago. Got a nice run in fourth spot and held off the strong closing Fioprospero over this track and distance last time out. Gets in well with the 3kg claim. KAZALARK (6) made ground from near last when fifth to Nana's Wish over 1550m here two runs back. Worked home for fifth to Misterkipchoge over 1800m at Rosehill last start. Back in grade and drawn well.
BET: HOVLAND to win.
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