Preview and race-by-race tips for Canterbury on Friday

1 month ago 9

By John Schell

January 22, 2026 — 7.20pm

Selections based on a soft track

Race 1:

7. Lady Olenna has been racing well in Highway grade races with a second at Rosehill four starts ago being followed by a fifth, sixth and fourth. She is knocking on the door for another win and gets her chance to break through again. 9. Move She Can won on the Beaumont track at Newcastle before a last start sixth in the Highway at Wyong. She should figure prominently again. 11. News Bound was back in winning form when scoring at Gilgandra when last produced and should run well from the good gate. 10. Ishikari went down narrowly at Orange last time and has claims.
How to play it: Lady Olenna WIN.

Race 2:

4. Assumed is an I Am Invincible filly on debut and she has been fitted for this with four trials, finishing third in the latest of them at Randwick. She’s in the leading stable and is poised to run well fresh. 8. Rajwa ran fourth on debut at Wyong at the end of August and has had two solid trials in preparation for this. A bold showing is on the cards. 6. Milk Foam has one placing from four starts and is resuming here on the back of two trials. 1. Juvenal is on debut and has a number of trials to be readied for the experience.
How to play it: Assumed EACH WAY.

Race 3:

2. Rhetoric debuted at this track on January 1 and battled on well to finish fourth behind Royal Corporal. He had trialled well prior to that run and looks set to make a major impact. 1. Shawnee Boy is on debut after four trials including two recent hitouts. He’s drawn well and looks primed to run a big race. 3. Copycat ran last on debut in the same race Rhetoric contested and has had a trial since to be kept up to the mark for this. 7. Willingham ran well when a last start second on the Beaumont track at Newcastle and should take plenty of running down.
How to play it: Rhetoric WIN.

Race 4:

1. Let’s Go Barbie ran a solid third at Gosford when resuming from a spell and then ran right up to that when finishing a close second on the Kensington track at her latest outing. She ran home well in that and the step up in distance with the apprentice claim looks like it will suit. 3. Just Maz is on debut and comes into this on the back of a win in her most recent trial at Rosehill. This looks well within her reach. 9. Mediterra fought on well when overhauled late at Gosford at her latest start and only needs to run up to that to be a factor. 5. Hermione Prancer hasn’t been far away in both runs back from a spell and is worth including among the main chances.
How to play it: Let’s Go Barbie WIN.

Race 5:

8. Golden Loom enjoyed a good run off the speed before coming with a well-timed run to score decisively at this track on January 1. He accounted for Monopolistic in that event and that horse came out to win last Friday night. 5. Steel Strike has been placed in all three runs since resuming from a spell and should be in the thick of things again if he can maintain that form. 2. Bat Out Of Hell has been racing well with second placings in two of his last three starts at this track. He should run well again. 6. Roussillon followed a second at Warwick Farm with a fifth at the same track and can’t be taken lightly.
How to play it: Golden Loom EACH WAY.

Race 6:

5. It’s A Wonder was a winner at Rosehill in October and finished third at Warwick Farm three starts ago. She failed to fire on the Kensington track last time out but can atone in this. 10. Allegro Miss did the job well when scoring a good win at this track over this distance last week and can figure prominently again. 8. Humanity resumed from a long spell with a seventh at Wyong and should be better for that run, while 3. Assailant resumes from a spell here and has been placed in two of four starts since arriving in Australia.
How to play it: It’s A Wonder EACH WAY.

Race 7:

4. Zaragoza has been racing well in Midway company in the city with a fifth at Randwick two starts ago being followed by a third at the same track. He looks suited in this grade and should be finishing off strongly. 7. Massira won impressively at Randwick three starts ago and has since finished eighth and sixth in two runs. He is racing well enough to give this a shake. 10. Catahoula is resuming from a spell for a new stable on the back of a recent trial at Rosehill. 1. Fine Vintage ran well when placed at this track last time out and can give a sight again with a repeat.
How to play it: Zaragoza EACH WAY.

Best Bets: Race 3 (2) Rhetoric; Race 4 (1) Let’s Go Barbie.
Best Value: Race 2 (4) Assumed.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au