7/1/2022 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Canterbury, Christmas Classic night

Night racing returns to Canterbury this Friday, headlined by the Christmas Classic (1200m). The weather is fine, the track is soft (5) and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

Christmas Classic 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Christmas Classic

WATCH LIVE RACING AT

tab

Looks a race in two but with the better barrier, I’m leaning towards 10 Portray (Bet Now: $3.80). She’s on debut for James Cummings and has looked quite sharp in a couple of trials to get ready for start one. Hopefully can use the inside gate, sit handy and prove hard to beat.

8 Paris Dior (Bet Now: $2.40) would be a clear top pick had she drawn an inside gate. Just not sure where she gets to in the run from the draw but it wasn’t hard to miss her debut run at Warwick Farm. Should have won but had little luck in the straight. If she gets luck from the draw, she’ll take beating.

2 Current King (Bet Now: $15.00) draws okay after scratchings. Debuts for Team Freedman off the back of one trial, which saw him win at this track narrowly but in good style. I’m not sure he’s good enough to beat the first couple but shouldn’t be too far away.

Have to be with 1 Sneaky Shark (Bet Now: $2.50), who makes his Australian debut for John O’Shea after formerly being with Jamie Richards. This guy brings with him some very strong NZ juvenile form, his latest run being the Karaka Million when second to On The Bubbles. Trials suggest he’s quite sluggish, so 1100m might be a tad sharp, but he is the clear class runner.

3 Solvere (Bet Now: $3.40) is a son of Rubick for Anthony Cummings that is three weeks between runs since his debut here where he was unwanted in betting but stuck to the task really well from just off the speed when a close up third to Retrieval. How strong that form is, not sure, but he finds a pretty thin maiden IMO.

6 Nay To Remember (Bet Now: $12.00) is a Jason Coyle trained gelding that resumes. Hasn’t raced since his debut back in August at Hawkesbury when good late, beaten a couple of lengths by Sebring’s Rose. Two trials to get ready, he’ll be dangerous if he can hold a forward spot from the gate.

4 Tick Tick Tick (Bet Now: $3.10) for me. Mark Newnham trains this daughter of Hinchinbrook, who has looked to move pretty well in a couple of trials this time in over 800m at Warwick Farm, winning them both. Stable usually have them ready to go fresh and finds a very winnable maiden to kick off her career.

3 Super Vogue (Bet Now: $4.00) was scratched from Warwick Farm on Wednesday to be saved for this. Team Hawkes filly that is on debut off the back of two trials this prep, winning them both, albeit not exactly smashing the clock, plus draws tricky, but do have to respect the stable.

2 Dollar Magic (Bet Now: $7.00) is in with a shout here. On speed throughout at Scone on debut and stuck to the task gamely when a close up second to Oakfield Mahogany in a maiden where there has already been a couple of winners. If she can find the fence/front, she’ll be dangerous.

2 Twice On Sunday (Bet Now: $5.00) gets the nod for Bjorn Baker. Loved the way she knuckled down to win two back at Orange before going to Gosford where not much went her way in the run and can make a little case to say she goes close with clear air. Gets a suck run from the draw here and for mine, only runs well.

6 Awesome Choice (Bet Now: $4.60) looks to have returned in good order. Resumed at Hawkesbury where she got a fair way back in the run but liked the way she finished her race off when third to Sweet Ruby, who won at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, so the form reads well and she’s got upside.

5 Lady Proisir (Bet Now: $8.00) is an interesting runner. Former Kiwi that was a sharp debut winner on the Synthetic at Cambridge before joining Chris Waller. Then went to the Beaumont track at Newcastle and failed to fire a shot behind Nikau. Has the Waller polish so can’t ignore just yet.

1 Special Reward (Bet Now: $4.60) is the map horse and thus, is on top. Had been out of the winners list for a long time but that all changed in the Razor Sharp when finishing best under a lovely patient ride from Schofield. J Mac takes over, he’ll stalk Prime Candidate and get every chance.

3 Prime Candidate (Bet Now: $4.40) is a track/distance winner from over three years ago and I do think back to 1200m is a big tick for him. 1400m probably just found him out last start at Randwick when tiring late, finishing down the track behind Oscar Zulu. Should lead for fun and prove hard to run down.

2 Southern Lad (Bet Now: $6.00) is a beauty for John O’Shea that can bounce back. Comes back to Sydney after contesting the Falvelon at Doomben where he got a mile back in the run and was never a factor behind Roheryn. Smaller field should ensure he won’t be far away and be strong late.

1 Maid Of Ore (Bet Now: $20.00) is the first of two throws at the stumps for the meeting for me. Just found them a bit sharp at Randwick last time when down the track behind Huetor, a horse who I think is a Stakes winner of the future. That was at 88 level. Now back to a very thin 72, I think she’s big odds for a proven Saturday metro performer.

7 Always On Show (Bet Now: $3.00) has certainly got the J Mac tax I feel given she’s just about favourite yet has been double figures her past couple, the latest coming at Randwick when close up behind Dhakuri. Hard to beat for sure, but in terms of a betting proposition, I’d want closer to $6 before entertaining.

5 Main Stage (Bet Now: $15.00) is always a sneaky chance in these kind of races. Very interesting that the Concussion Plates are back on, a sign that perhaps the feet aren’t 100% right. Resumed three weeks back over 1550m here and was good late against the race shape behind For Valour. One for exotics.

13 What Could Be (Bet Now: $19.00) is the other throw at the stumps for the meeting. Had a two run Spring prep, closing off hard fresh over 900m at Newcastle when second before going to 1250m there and finishing down the track behind Conscript, but his late splits were strong. He does have a good record at Canterbury and with so much speed on in front, he’ll get his chance to launch late.

4 Miracle Day (Bet Now: $3.50) steps up a bit in depth here but Kris Lees has him flying this prep. 3/3 this time in, the latest win being at this track/distance when given a peach by Tim Clark and was able to win well. Good test for him here, but I think he’s up to it.

6 Damaged (Bet Now: $12.00) is racing well for Richard Litt and is in with a shout here. Ran last time out at Warwick Farm where he had the suck run behind the speed under J Mac and battled on pretty well in defeat behind a promising animal, Rule Of Law. Key chance against these.

3 Kutayha (Bet Now: $5.00) looks to have returned in good order. Chris Waller trained gelding that resumed over 1400m at Randwick on Boxing Day and was good late from near last in the run in a race dominated by those on speed, the winner being the above average Holyfield. Might want one more, but the resumption was too good to ignore.

7 Rich And Shameless (Bet Now: $5.50) has been up forever it seems like but he is holding his form superbly for Scott Singleton. He ran at this track/distance three weeks ago and I think you could make a case that he wins with a clear path in the straight when a narrow second to For Valour. Hard to beat.

5 Canyonero (Bet Now: $11.00) is in with a shout here. Ran over the mile at Warwick Farm last time out where he was wide and doing work. Loomed to win but condition just gave out and he peaked on the run the last 150m or so. Gets a suck run from the inside gate and should be strong at the end.

BEST BET: Race Two Number 1 Sneaky Shark

NEXT BEST: Race One Number 10 Portray

LONG SHOT: Race Six Number 1 Maid Of Ore

Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):

Leg One: 1, 2, 3, 6

Leg Two: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7

Leg Three: 1, 4, 6, 12, 13

Leg Four: 3, 5, 6, 7

$50 Investment = 12.50% of the dividend if successful

Bookmaker	Why Bet	Sign Up	Full Review
	Back Yourself with Ladbrokes!	Join	Review
	Back a Winner with Neds!	Join	Review
	Sign up to Unibet and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review
	Sign up to swiftbet and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review
	Sign up to Unibet and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review
	Sign up to Dabble and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review
	Sign up to MyBet and start betting in minutes!	Join	Review