The prospect of a soft track and the benefit of one run since arriving in Australia looks a good formula for Ciaron Maher import Kings Valley to notch his first local win at Canterbury on Wednesday.
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The colt, who only turned three by birth date just over a month ago, faces a very different set up to his first outing two weeks ago where he was dictated to by the outside gate at the tricky 1550m starting point.
In the Cylinder at Darley Handicap (1550m) he'll jump from gate three and that should allow jockey Tommy Berry the chance to position him that little bit closer to the likely leader, stablemate Kotaishi, than he was in his fresh assignment.
After looking under pressure coming to the turn and hitting something of a flat spot, or so it appeared, he rallied to pick up some ground and run third.
With that run under his belt, and some appealing soft track credentials overseas, there's every chance Kings Valley can find a couple of lengths - if that's the case then he'll loom large as they go for home in the straight.
One of the more interesting runners at Canterbury is the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott two-year-old filly Clean Energy who makes her debut in the Robrick Lodge Handicap (1100m).
A $2.6 million yearling purchase, the youngster is a full sister to Group 1 winner Sunlight and she's shown plenty of ability in her own right in her two trial wins this time in work.
The challenge for jockey Adam Hyeronimus, who was on board in both those trials, is to negotiate the near outside alley in what will be a field of no more than 14.
She's been first out of the barriers in both her trial wins at Randwick and Canterbury, and importantly with the forecast they've both been on soft ground, and after racing wide in the first and prevailing she found the lead comfortably in the second before going on to win easily.
So despite the draw she'll likely bounce quickly and look to offset the alley in the first 100m or so, and as we've learned this season any two-year-old from the Waterhouse/Bott team should not be underestimated.
Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday, May 1, Canterbury meeting
- Selections based on a soft track
Race 1 - 12:10PM JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
9. Stand Aside faces a solid jump in class on his maiden win at Warwick Farm a month ago but there's also a chance he gets some control up front. He comfortably staved off a subsequent winner there and was first-up. Fitter and take running down.
Dangers: 1. Hollywood Hero is the logical danger and while he was a little disappointing second-up when well supported perhaps he was ridden a little too well, hitting the front a fair way from home. Wouldn't want it too wet but any pressure up front is in his favour. 2. Baltic Coast didn't make an impact in the Provincial-Midway Final but he was sound in two qualifiers leading into that. Draws soft and handles all ground. Definite chance. 6. Chevron is an up and comer who backed up his maiden win with a comfortable all the way win at Wyong a few weeks ago. One of the chances.
How to play it: Stand Aside WIN.
Race 2 - 12:45PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS PLATE (1100 METRES)
2. Eraantyva is on debut for the Chris Waller stable and has taken a bit of time with trials dating back to June. Latest was a quiet one a week ago where she brushed to the line. Will need the breaks from a wide gate but strikes a winnable maiden.
Dangers: 7. Super Zippi is getting close to a win with placings at her past two at Wyong and Hawkesbury. Likely rolls forward to a degree here and should be competitive. 8. Veloce Rosa found the line well when it was all over behind a runaway winner at Wagga on debut. Extra 100m looks a plus and she could be up to the task. 4. Nothin' Seemstofit had a month between trials when a fair fifth at Hawkesbury two weeks ago. Has the inside gate and any support would be significant.
How to play it: Eraantyva WIN; Trifecta 2/4,7,8/4,7,8.
Race 3 - 1:20PM ROBRICK LODGE HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
10. Clean Energy is a full sister to Sunlight and cost $2.6 million as a yearling. She's drawn awkwardly but that's not such a concern as she'll go forward and on her two trials in the past month she looks to have some talent. Go well.
Dangers: 5. Private Life was a $650,000 purchase out of a Group 3 winning mare who was placed in an Oaks and a Sydney Cup. He's only trialled once and hit the line nicely late to win on a soft 7. Keep safe. 16. Let's Go Barbie is trialling quite well with a Warwick Farm win followed by a third at Rosehill where she poked along the fence to grab that spot. Could show up. 9. Toque was in the market on debut in a strong Wyong Magic Millions and weakened late to run third. Given some time and it wouldn't surprise if she is competitive fresh.
How to play it: Clean Energy WIN.
Race 4 - 1:55PM CYLINDER @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
1. Kings Valley is an import who made a promising local debut here two weeks ago and has the platform to improve sharply from a kinder draw. A soft track would be ideal and if he can lift off that fresh effort then he'll be hard to beat.
Dangers: 2. Physicist caught the eye with a big finish from near the tail on debut at Wyong and shapes as though the extra 200m will suit. Might have to go back again here but commands some respect. 3. Kotaishi led them up in the same race as Kings Valley and boxed on for second. Imagine he will look to lead again and if he gets control will be a chance to go one better. 6. Glebe was a drifter in betting in the same race and just worked home without threatening there. Good run on a heavy first-up and might be aided by a soft track if that eventuates.
How to play it: Kings Valley WIN; Trifecta 1/ 2,3,6/2,3,6.
Race 5 - 2:30PM RANVET HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
6. Dakota Vroom is unbeaten in two starts at Canterbury and boasts a strong fresh record. Beaten a long way in her trial but the winner did score by 10 lengths and she trialled similarly leading in last time. Any support would be encouraging. Should run well.
Dangers: 2. Mars Mission had a mixed campaign last time in but did win one of four. Trialled quite well on the polytrack at Warwick Farm recently and draws to get every chance to fire. 9. Balkans bumped into a handy one when runner-up over this course two weeks ago coming off a month between runs. Will need a little luck from the outside but it's a good starting point. 1. The Instructor is back in class having taken on the Group 2 Arrowfield when resuming. Raced handy and weakened there. Fitter though and back in grade he could be an improver.
How to play it: Dakota Vroom WIN.
Race 6 - 3:10PM KIA ORA PRAGUE HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
3. Confess Our Dreams should be forgiven for failing at Randwick second-up when up to Listed level in the Fireball. She did start in the market off a nice first-up win. Freshened and back to the trials where she won well on a soft track recently. Good chance.
Dangers: 4. Jewellery won a maiden fresh at this track last time in and was a heavy track winner two runs ago. Worked home well in latest trial, drawn well, JMac rides. She should be a major player. 8. Spring Lee has the wide gate to overcome but she is a talented filly with an on pace pattern so there's a chance she could get across. Trialling well and sure to give a good account. 5. Ningaloo Star might be better for the run but she's an honest mare who was runner-up to Highlights in her latest trial, which reads well, and with even luck she's an each-way chance.
How to play it: Confess Our Dreams WIN; Trifecta 3/ 4,5,8/4,5,8.
Race 7 - 3:50PM TAB HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
11. Llanddwyn is worth an each-way look first-up off a soft gate. She was runner-up fresh at this track last prep before winning second-up, both on soft ground, and she trialled okay without being pressured last week. No surprise to see her run a handy race.
Dangers: 16. Betsy's Flag had some support first-up and seemed to have her chance when midfield here two weeks ago. Wasn't beaten far, though, and fitter for it. She's worth another look here. 14. Yankee One looked smart winning on debut at Gosford in October then beaten at odds-on at the same track at only other start. Fitter for a couple of trials and bears close watching. 5. Fury won a maiden at Sandown in February before a freshen and state switch. Ran fifth behind Spring Lee in a trial last week and any support would be significant.
How to play it: Llanddwyn EACH-WAY.
Race 8 - 4:25PM EXCEEDANCE @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
5. Yet He Moves ran well when resuming at Gosford in a race dominated on speed by the winner. Hit the line okay to grab second and will be much fitter here. Extra trip suits too and has raced well here previously. The one to beat.
Dangers: 4. Smart Legend is consistent without winning of late and handled the step up to this trip quite well when a close third here two weeks ago. Better for the run at the distance and with even luck early getting over he's a good chance. 3. Union Gap was a late drifter in betting first-up since July when a fading second last at Warwick Farm a month ago. He's better than that and no surprise to see him improve. 2. Speycaster was last on the turn and picked up half the field when second-up over this course. Different set up for him from barrier one this time so he could have his chance to feature.
How to play it: Yet He Moves WIN; Trifecta 5/2,3,4/2,3,4.
