Race-by-race tips and preview for Canterbury on Friday

1 hour ago 2

By John Schell

December 11, 2025 — 5.03pm

Selections based on a good track.

Race 1

1. Four Candles is lightly raced with just the three starts to his name, and he steps up to the 1900m in this at his third start back from a spell. He raced on the speed when a last-start second at Ballarat over a mile and looks suited by the increased trip at his first Sydney start. 2. Powerful Prayer hit the line well when a resuming fourth at Newcastle and is up in trip quickly for this. Expect a bold showing. 6. Blue Blood Prince was safely held on debut in super maiden grade at Rosehill and then ran well when second at Hawkesbury at his only other start. He should be primed to play a part in the finish here. 7. Like Anything has had two runs back from a spell and ran well enough when a last-start second behind Polo.
How to play it: Four Candles to win.

Snitzel Miss (right) runs third behind Tempted (middle) in the Widden Stakes in February.

Race 2

1. Snitzel Miss ran third in her first two starts earlier in the year in the Widden Stakes and Sweet Embrace Stakes. She had two trials before resuming with a fourth behind Plaintiff at Rosehill and followed that up with a last-start second here behind Jaegers. She is primed to break through in this. 3. Airworthy resumes after two recent trial wins and is poised to run well. 4. Royal Air Force ran well when resuming and is drawn ideally. 2. Monotone was midfield here on debut and can improve on that.
How to play it: Snitzel Miss to win.

Race 3

5. Mareth had three starts in Victoria earlier in the year with a debut second at Pakenham the best result. She resumes here after two solid recent trials and should figure prominently. 1. Artgirl has only had two starts and she’s been placed in each of them, the latest at this track. 2. Bottles Of Shells is on debut after a number of trials and bears close watching. 7. Performance is on debut and has won her past two trials.
How to play it: Mareth to win.

Race 4

2. Cassiel has a good record with three wins and four placings from 11 starts. His form was solid before being spelled, and he trialled well before resuming with a fourth behind Spywire at Kembla Grange. He’s drawn to get a good run on the speed here and should take plenty of beating. 8. Columbia Blue is lightly raced and has two wins and two seconds from just four starts. He resumed with a win at Wyong. 10. King Of Dragons is fresh for this and has performed well in two recent trials. 11. Benevac was a last-start winner at this track in September and bears close watching.
How to play it: Cassiel to win.

Race 5

3. Pleasure Artist ran well when fourth at Rosehill last time out at her third run back from a spell. She should be ready to peak now and looks to get a good run from a soft draw. 1. Let’s Fly has performed well in her past two starts for placings at Rosehill and Kembla Grange and another forward showing is expected against this company. 7. Happiness has been placed in two city starts since winning at Kembla Grange and can show up again, while 12. Old Gregg races well at this track and over this distance, and warrants respect.
How to play it: Pleasure Artist to win.

Race 6

8. Caffe Florian ran well on debut when third at this track and then followed that up with a strong last-start win here when finishing well. She has plenty of upside and can go on with the job. 2. Useapin resumes from a spell here and was a winner at Rosehill in July. A bold first-up showing is on the cards. 3. Couples Retreat won a couple on end at Kembla Grange when fresh and has since been placed in her past two starts. 5. Ellipsis is first up and had strong city form before the break.
How to play it: Caffe Florian to win.

Race 7

5. Verbil had been racing well before breaking through with a win at this track two starts ago. He followed that with a close-up fourth here and should be prominent again. 8. Forecaster won the race Verbil contested last time out and should be in the thick of things. 10. Copacabana has a win and nine placings from 12 starts and shouldn’t be far away again, while 2. Zaphod resumes here and can sprint well fresh.
How to play it: Verbil to win.

Race 8

3. Althoff only has a win and a second to his name from eight starts, but he has contested better grade races than this. He’s had two trials in preparation for this resuming run and won the first of them. He’s suited by apprentice Siena Grima’s claim. 6. Gunroom won at this track and Newcastle either side of a spell and comes into this after a last-start midfield effort at Doomben. 9. Barbray is first up from a spell and should get a good run from the inside gate. 11. Mother Goose has shown ability and has claims if luck goes her way.
How to play it: Althoff each way.