Race-by-race tips and preview for Friday night at Canterbury

2 months ago 12

By John Schell

December 18, 2025 — 5.00pm

Selections based on a good track

Race 1:

7. Wootton Way has only had two starts but has performed well in each having been beaten just over three lengths on debut at Rosehill behind Plaintiff and then running sixth on the Kensington track at Randwick when again beaten just over three lengths. She has drawn the inside barrier here and gets her chance to break through. 4. Artgirl is lightly raced and has run well in each of her three starts including a last start fourth at this track last Friday night. She should be in the thick of things. 1. Miss Lola raced on the speed at Warwick Farm when last produced and fought on well to finish second. She should be respected in this line-up. 2. Our Huntress has been placed in each of her two starts and another bold showing is on the cards.
How to play it: Wootton Way EACH WAY

Canterbury hosts a seven-race meeting on Friday.

Race 2:

2. Hereward finished second in his first two starts at Hawkesbury and then on the Kensington track at Randwick. He resumed with a fourth at Gosford in a Super Maiden before a last start second at this track last month. He looks talented and can break through here. 1. Man Of Worth is an import that ran well when resuming from a spell with a fourth at Warwick Farm and warrants respect. 3. Italian Spirit raced on the pace and battled on well when second on debut on the Beaumont track at Newcastle and another forward showing is on the cards. 4. Precise Star wasn’t beaten far when resuming from a spell at Hawkesbury when midfield and should be in the thick of things.
How to play it: Hereward WIN

Race 3

1. Miss Hades ran well when finishing second at Newcastle when resuming from a spell and backed that up with a dominant last start win at Warwick Farm. This looks another suitable race for her and she should take plenty of beating. 2. Sister Shay has a good record with four wins and three seconds from 10 starts and comes into this after a last start win at Wodonga. 4. Emballee hit the line well when a last start second on the Kensington track at Randwick and should be prominent again, while 5. Emery won well at Newcastle two starts ago before a last start fourth on the Kensington track.
How to play it: Miss Hades WIN

Race 4

9. Cinsault has shown plenty of ability in her career with a maiden victory at Kembla Grange before being spelled. She’d been placed in all eight starts before that and can return in winning form here. 7. Beechworth also won at Kembla Grange before being spelled and is poised to sprint well fresh. 2. United States had run well in both runs since resuming and shouldn’t be taken lightly, while 1. Calga Power was only grabbed late in city grade last time and is one of the leading contenders.
How to play it: Cinsault WIN

Race 5

2. Bat Out Of Hell was midfield on resumption at this track and followed that up with a strong finishing second here last week. Ready to peak now and should be breaking through again. 7. Sisu Spirit disappointed when resuming at Wyong but can atone here. 8. How Much Better has been racing well and fought to the line well for a last start second on the Beaumont track at Newcastle. 10. Copacabana has been placed in both runs since resuming and is one of the leading chances.
How to play it: Bat Out Of Hell WIN

Race 6

3. House Of Cards resumed from a spell at this track late last month and finished third behind Balkans when finishing off well in the straight. He sticks to the same trip here and should be finishing off well again. 2. Slinky was a winner at this track in August before being spelled and resumes here after two trials. He should be primed to sprint well fresh. 7. Me Me was a winner at Kembla Grange when resuming from a spell and has been placed in two subsequent starts at Kembla Grange and on the Kensington track. 6. Remember Jack followed a second at this track with a last start fourth at Warwick Farm and bears close watching.
How to play it: House Of Cards WIN

Race 7

1. Éclair Encore has a great record with three wins and eight placings from 15 starts. She’s finished second at Canterbury and Rosehill in each of her latest two starts and only needs to run up to those efforts to be hard to hold out. 2. Lennox has been racing well with wins in each of his latest two starts at Gosford on the Kensington track when accounting for Contaldo both times. He should be thereabouts again. 3. Happiness knuckled down well to win at this track last week when just getting there and should be in the thick of things again. 8. Existential Bob was just edged out at Rosehill last time and is worth including among the main chances.
How to play it: Éclair Encore WIN