Ray Thomas' tips and inside mail for racing at Canterbury on Wednesday
FIELDS AND FORM CANTERBURY ON WEDNESDAY
Best Bet
Race 5 No 3 Bat Out Of Hell
Improving with racing this preparation, he races well on this track and can take full advantage of his favourable barrier.
Next Best
Race 6 No 3 Winston Hills
A first-up specialist with a good record at Canterbury and with even luck in running he will be charging home.
Value
Irish import which made mistakes but still won well at his Australian debut. He should continue to improve with racing.
Quaddie
Race 4: 1,2,4,9
Race 5: 1,3,5
Race 6: 1,7,8,11
Race 7: 4,6,9,10
Jockey To Follow
Tommy Berry has seven competitive rides including Starry Desert and Southern Heiress.
Trainer To Follow
The John O'Shea-Tom Charlton stable have a good representation in five races most notably Cross Tasman, Straand Beauty and Unusual Prospect.
â– â– â– â– â–
INSIDE MAIL - CANTERBURY
Race 1: Burma Star can make a winning return to racing in an early season three-year-old race that has plenty of depth. Burma Star, raced by Godolphin, showed talent despite three winless starts last season and he has shaped promisingly in two recent barrier trials. He's drawn to get the run of the race from barrier three and James McDonald takes the ride. Barbarossa, also owned by Godolphin, had five starts without a win last season but mixed it in good company. Drawn awkwardly but handles wet tracks and is also trialling very well. Spice Prawn was unlucky not to win at Rosehill first-up and is an improving filly. Portofino faded under pressure at his debut but has been back to the trials where he caught the eye late.
Bet: Box trifecta 5,8,11,13
Race 2: Starry Desert, an English-bred four-year-old, did plenty wrong at his Australian debut but still found a way to win his maiden at Newcastle. He will appreciate getting out to 1550m and I don't mind his wide draw as he needs galloping room. No knock on the lightly-raced but promising Cross Tasman except he is well found in betting at around $2.20. Delrico has improved with racing this preparation and the emerging Gallahop was strong late when breaking through over 1600m at Gosford.
Bet: Starry Desert to win, saver on Gallahop at odds
Race 3: Intriguing clash between promising filly Karinska and unbeaten topweight Infusion. I'm leaning to Karinska as she showed ability last season, scoring impressively on debut when she burst through late to win over 1200m here, then was unplaced in successive Group-class races during autumn. Karinska has had two soft trials to prepare for her turn but she's nice and sharp so expect her to be hitting the line strongly. Infusion raced on speed and won well on a heavy track when making her debut last month. She has drawn wide but has early pace and is likely to be in front of Karinska on the turn. Southern Heiress bolted in on debut over 900m at Newcastle and although this is obviously a tougher race she has upside. Maquisa hasn't had much luck in recent starts and has drawn wide again but she is bursting to win a race.
Bet: Karinska to win
Race 4: I'm with Stormland at each way odds. He won well on debut, beating the promising Grand Prairie, then was tested in the Kindergarten Stakes when down the track behind North England. He's resuming in midweek grade against older horses but his two barrier trials have been very good, barrier two is advantageous, Jason Collett rides and he's a good gamble at close to $7. Shalaa Gold would have been top pick with a better draw but if he gets any luck in running, he will be in the finish. The Enchanter has the inside barrier, gives himself every chance racing on speed, and he goes well on this track. Straand Beauty appreciated getting the blinkers last start and led throughout to win convincingly. He is going to be in this race for a long way again.
Bet: Stormland each way, watch betting moves for Shalaa Gold
Race 5: Bat Out Of Hell and No Drama both excel at Canterbury and they look hard to beat here. Bat Out Of Hell has had four runs back from a spell, he's improved every time and comes off a close third at Kensington over 1550m. He's had four starts over the Canterbury 1550m course and hasn't missed a top three finish including one win. Bat Out Of Hell will be stalking No Drama throughout and I expect he will be too strong late. No Drama likes to lead and dominate, handles wet tracks and is racing in very good form. Seven's is one to watch. Lightly-raced former French galloper who did enough at his debut Australian preparation earlier this year to suggest he has a future. He's trialling well and is drawn to advantage. Sting In The Tail is fitter for recent racing but might be looking for further now.
Bet: Bat Out Of Hell to win, box trifecta 1,3,5
Race 6: Winston Hills is a smart sprinter resuming. He boasts a very good first-up record, goes well over this course and distance, handles rain-affected going, and can unleash a powerful finishing surge. Dimitrov's main claim to fame is that he once ran dual Group 1 winner Ceolwulf to a half length in a maiden nearly two years ago. Dimitrov was off the scene for 18 months but there was a lot to like about his game comeback effort at Kembla Grange. He's over the odds. Catahoula is drawn to get all the favours here and is ready to win. Similarly, Slinky is working her way back into form but is coming back slightly in trip again.
Bet: Winston Hills to win, saver on Dimitrov at double figure odds
Race 7: In a tough closer, The Years only has to run up to his strong Warwick Farm 1600m win last start to go close again. The Years finished his race off very strongly in heavy going last start so the step up to 1900m should not be an issue. Unusual Prospect has won twice from three attempts this time in and gets the blinkers here. Hard to beat. Hovland won with authority at Hawkesbury then raced without luck at Canterbury. He's worth another chance. Bright Red can mix her form but she's suited in midweek grade on rain-affected going
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
14 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Max Gawn urges premiership winner John Longmire to take a call from Melbourne officials
Melbourne captain Max Gawn has urged prospective new coaches John Longmire and Nathan Buckley to 'take the call' from Demons officials, declaring he's moved from shocked to 'excited' about the change that is set to sweep through the club. Longmire was watching the dramatic final moments of a Test match between England and India on Monday night when informed the board had decided to sack Simon Goodwin with a year to run on his contract. Gawn labelled the move 'ballsy' and said he was right behind the decision despite teammate Ed Langdon on Wednesday suggesting he didn't agree with interim president Brad Green's declaration the players needed a 'new voice'. 'I was shocked, I didn't see it coming, and that's good management to be fair. If you did see it coming, it means things are leaking. The shock is almost a good thing,' Gawn said. 'I am a supporter of the team, a lover of the cub, they have sacked people I have loved before and I've moved on and so have they. This one is a harder one to take. 'I also have some great relationships with people who made the decision and they have explained it carefully to me why. 'Football doesn't wait for anybody. On Monday I was like 'Goodwin sacked, my life is over, I'm down in the dumps'. 'Then we trained Wednesday and I come here today and I'm like 'I can't wait for Western Bulldogs, what we do in the trade period? I can't wait to see what coach we get in'.' 'That would be my advice to all the other players and supporters. It's happened, now move on.' Gawn joked that Langdon 'butchered' his response as the first player put before media on Wednesday and having a new voice, after Goodwin spent nine years in charge, taking the Demons to the 2021 premiership, could be a good thing. 'Do we need a new voice? I appreciate after nine years a new voice could help,' Gawn told the Mick in the Morning radio show on Triple M. 'I was also pretty bullish on what we were building and the old voice was doing well for me. 'We are also 6-13. Good clubs don't wait. 'It's been 18 months of football we're not proud of. We were pretty positive we were building something good. The playing group is the culture and we are bullish still we are building something good and we're going to get someone in that will hopefully lead us the right way.' Gawn said he wouldn't 'delve into' the coach search but with only 18 jobs available, any hopefuls should pick up the call when Melbourne officials ring. 'I hope they do (take the call),' he said. 'I feel like it's a call you should take.'
ABC News
44 minutes ago
- ABC News
Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy to attend Melbourne Storm NRL match despite ongoing issues with board
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin has said she will attend Thursday night's Melbourne Storm home game despite ongoing concerns with the club's board. The Storm announced this week that an Acknowledgement of Country would be held prior to their match with the Brisbane Broncos, marking the NRL's Indigenous Round. The club also apologised to Aunty Joy for the cancellation of a Welcome to Country before to the Storm's Anzac Day match, where the Wurundjeri elder had been at the stadium to perform. Ahead of Thursday's match, Aunty Joy said she would attend in support of players, staff and community, despite a resolution not being reached with the club's board after Anzac Day. "This is about the board, not the game. This is about setting a standard not just for Melbourne Storm but across all sporting codes," Aunty Joy said. "I will always stand strong beside community and as a leader take responsibility to care for those who hurt badly." Melbourne said at the time that the club's "board had not approved for it to be held on Anzac Day". The cancellation came hours after Bunurong and Gunditjmara man Uncle Mark Brown was booed and heckled by members of the crowd at the dawn service at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. The Storm said its decision was not related to the booing earlier in the day, but Aunty Joy said she was told it was. Aunty Joy said Wurundjeri people wanted to continue their association with the Melbourne Storm, but highlighted they "cannot safely undertake formal ceremonies" due to one board member's reported links with lobby group Advance Australia. "I carry a deep responsibility to community and will not compromise my integrity as a proud Aboriginal woman and community elder," she said. "We cannot support an organisation that has associations with any group that incites racial vilification and division. "We are willing to continue to work with Melbourne Storm to address the deep community concerns but cannot endorse any official functions or cultural work until measures are put in place to ensure cultural respect and safety for all." Wurundjeri woman and Djirri Djirri dancer Ky-Ya Nicholson was due to perform at the Anzac Day game before the Welcome to Country was cancelled. In a statement, she said Djirri Djirri would not associate with the club "until there is meaningful change at board level". "Our decision to end our long-standing relationship with Melbourne Storm comes as a result of the disrespect shown towards Aunty Joy on Anzac Day, which was a lost opportunity to honour her veteran father and First Peoples servicemen and women who fought alongside Australian soldiers," Nicholson said. "We as a community feel very disrespected by the actions of Melbourne Storm's board, as a Welcome to Country ceremony is a tradition of unity and goodwill. Which has been completely disregarded, this shows their tokenistic approach and lack of understanding to this symbol of unity."
News.com.au
44 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Jye Gray offered monster deal to join rebel R360 league in fresh blow to Rabbitohs
Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray has reportedly been offered $900,000 to join rebel rugby union competition R360 despite having played just 28 NRL games. The 21-year-old has emerged as R360's latest high profile target, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Gray is contracted with Souths until the end of 2026 but the Rabbitohs are now in a battle to retain the diminutive fullback after the bumper offer from the rebel rugby union competition. Other NRL players targeted by R360 include Ryan Papenhuyzen, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Zac Lomax and Herbie Farnworth. Gray could be a genuine chance to join R360 in 2027 given he has played rugby union before during his high school years at The Southport School on the Gold Coast. Gray, who was named NRL Rookie of the Year in 2024, has scored 11 tries in 28 games for Souths. Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett previously told Code Sports R360 is a Super League level threat that could seriously damage the NRL. R360 has reportedly acquired the necessary funding from Saudi Arabia, the UK and United States to kick-off in 2026 with aims to be profitable by 2027. 'It's a huge threat, absolutely,' Bennett said. 'The NRL is the toughest competition in the world with the best athletes. 'We are absolutely under threat. We cannot ignore it. 'I don't know how we combat it but I will say this - the game needs to come together sooner rather than later in terms of the CEOs and the game itself. 'Let's talk about what the hell is going on out there. 'Have the conversation we need to have with each other and discuss how do we stop it, what do we do? 'They will be looking at the star players like (Nathan) Cleary, Latrell (Mitchell) or Reece Walsh, they are the ones that the fans pay their money to watch. 'If we lost just 10 or 12 players like them, it will leave a massive hole in our competition. 'Look at the golf. Who would have thought LIV would be a threat but it is. The amount of money they have paid, we will never be able to match them if they (R360) are serious about the amount of money they have to spend. 'Where does this end for the NRL? 'The game has to address this and come up with a plan. 'We'd be foolish to suck our thumbs and hope to God it goes away.' Broncos great Corey Parker wrote for SEN this week: 'I'm at a point now if the R360 is taking off - and it's my belief it's going to - we have got our heads in the sand and we're not doing enough. 'The issue Wayne flagged is the player managers. So in the R360 if someone gets signed for a million dollars the R360 pays the manager 10 per cent on top. In the NRL, if a manager is on 6 per cent, the player pays that manager.' Bennett fights to avoid career low in Bunnies nightmare Gray's departure would be another blow to the Rabbitohs, who will be desperate to beat the Titans on Sunday as Wayne Bennett aims to avoid his first ever wooden spoon. This week Bennett and the Rabbitohs gave English playmaker Lewis Dodd permission to explore his options elsewhere in the NRL or overseas, less than a year after he was recruited to play halfback. Dodd has played just six NRL games in 2025, and just 68 minutes in the No. 7 jersey, despite signing a $2 million, three-year deal and a huge injury crisis at the club. On Tuesday Bennett dropped the 23-year-old to NSW Cup, instead opting for 21-year-old Ashton Ward and Jamie Humphreys in the halves. NRL 360 host Braith Anasta gave a frank assessment of the Rabbitohs' decision to sign Dodd, who won a Super League title and a World Club Challenge title with St Helens. 'It's one of the great recruitment blunders in NRL history,' Anasta said on Wednesday night. 'I just can't get my head around how (CEO) Blake Solly, (football manager) Mark Ellison are the ones flying to England to sign a premier half for your club without the permission of a coach. 'Everything I have heard out of the Super League, from coaches, players over there and even recruitment back here, is that there's four or five better candidates that could be better in our game over here, in the NRL,' Anasta said. 'I think there's just some accountability that needs to be taken there.'
