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

2 hours ago 1

By Neil Evans

February 12, 2026 — 5.00pm

Track Good 4 and rail out 2m.

RACE 1

8. Saytara is an improving front-running filly who can peak fourth-up in her first full preparation in what looms as a tactical race. Has been comfortably run down in her last two when in the market, but drops a kilo for this, drawn to do less work early and finds a race she can control, with very little speed elsewhere. 2. Viva Mauricio is a big threat, after missing narrowly at bigger odds here a fortnight ago. Drawn to find a handy trail. 3. Defendant is a stablemate of the former, and looks primed to peak third-up from a soft draw after running home from well back in that same race. 4. Adaptation improving into his third start, and 1. Feazabeel second-up represent each way value.
How to play it: Saytara to win.

RACE 2

7. Manaajem is a lightly raced four-year-old returning in mares company for her first run since last winter when taking on tougher Saturday opposition. Fitted with two improving trials up to 1030m, and is bred to get further, so with early cover, she can produce a superior final 400m surge at good odds. 3. Maybe Moet is another progressive four-year-old who ran home hard first-up in a deeper race, but still under the odds given her second-up figures aren’t flash and she rises 5kg in weight. 1. Let’s Go Barbie is a stablemate of the former, and conversely shapes over the mark stepping up from a dominant Super Maiden win on Australia Day, and the 3kg claim gets her back in the race after initially being allotted a ridiculous weight. 4. Spaceballs can run into the minor money second-up with a key gear change. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Manaajem to win.

RACE 3

2. Bryant is a talented three-year-old well-placed to go back-to-back over more ground. Went home with something in hand to claim his maiden first up off a lengthy break as a short-priced and heavily backed favourite. 4. Caesar resumes as a gelding for his third start. Won both lead-up trials, and drawn to get a soft run either in front or parked right behind, can run the quinella. 6. Aisle Two is a market watch coming to town second-up after sweeping home to win a provincial CL1. 8. Rajwa is a lightly raced filly also coming off a fresh maiden win, and drawn to get a soft run on speed. 5. Willingham boasts a fitness edge at bigger odds reloading off a tough third-up maiden here over this trip.
How to play it: Bryant to win.

RACE 4

8. Centenario is ready for the rise in distance and grade second-up. Did his best work late when resuming over a middle distance, and given he’s bred to run a real staying trip, this looks ideal settling a few lengths off speed with plenty of cover. Yet to miss a place in three runs at this course. 9. Kenmare Bay charged home to win a lesser quality race here two starts back before just fair closing off on the Kensington track. Looking for this trip, but not overly suited being drawn to settle inside traffic. 5. Pleasure Artist is each way value reloading off a six-week break and quiet trial. 7. Mirra Impact has to tuck in from the outside, but is fit enough and gets a substantial weight drop for the rise in grade. 6. Suit Of Armour up in trip second-up, and 10. Allegro Miss shooting for a third straight win at this track; can both add value into trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Centenario to win.

RACE 5

6. Straand Beauty failed to seal the deal third-up at Warwick Farm after leading, but was beaten by a promising one. Right at peak fitness, and gets good weight relief after the jockey’s claim in an open race. 7. Albany Road is a promising three-year-old shooting for three wins on the bounce after sweeping over the top second-up to beat a heavily backed one. Rises in weight though from a much tougher draw in a bigger field. 3. Shalaa Gold was flat first-up off a tardy release, but can improve sharply, and will come in several spots from the wide draw after scratchings. 1. Kimberley Secrets is a tough and fit Canberra mare who has just missed in her last couple, but will need everything to go her way here from a wide draw, and with plenty of speed underneath. 5. Action King also has a tricky draw, but remains a big market watch coming to the city after thrashing his opposition in a feature country sprint on Australia Day. 10. Lady Olenna coming off a tough CL3 Highway win, and 12. Strada Varenna third-up from a wide gate, can add value into wider exotics.
How to play it: Straand Beauty to win.

RACE 6

7. Fast Track is a progressive and strong four-year-old who can go back-to-back fourth-up against her own sex for a leading metro stable. Came off two close-up efforts to prove dominant from the front in a CL1 at Kembla as the favourite. More depth here, but bred to get further, and she still has plenty of scope left. 8. Emballee is hard fit for the top trainer/rider combination, and will likely jump favourite in another open race. Rushed home to be beaten under a length here a fortnight ago. 3. Pillow Fight is drawn to get an economical run on speed after leading for a long way third-up. 4. Oakfield Manselle shapes over the odds despite stepping up to metropolitan company after finishing best to win a provincial BM 64 second-up. 1. Gentileschi is a second-up improver, but faces a tough task from the barrier; while 9. Regal Problem is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Fast Track to win.

RACE 7

It doesn’t get any easier here up in grade, with several chances. Top of that list is 10. Starboard, an improving five-year-old who can find his best fourth-up from a softer draw. Worked home okay late in a provincial BM 68 three weeks back, and while this is a tougher assignment, he drops down to the 54kg limit. 5. Spirit Of Camelot is a big betting watch, resuming off a 42-week spell and having her first outing for the new Peter Snowden stable. 2. Monte Kate beat handy fillies and mares here third-up, and is up to this stiffer test down in weight from a soft draw. 4. Slinky is tracking towards another win, fourth-up and crucially a month between runs. 1. Fine Vintage goes in wider exotic plays coming off a last start win here in weaker company.
How to play it: Starboard to win.

RACE 8

10. Soverato is a lightly raced filly in the Chris Waller stable returning for her third start, and first outing since last spring. Broke her maiden at second attempt when sweeping home at Kembla as a heavily backed fancy before being put away. Fitted to run this trip fresh behind two trials up to 1207m, and she’s a promising stayer in the making. 4. Sister Daae can improve sharply third-up over more ground. 2. Cellarmaster is better suited here after getting a mile back in a deeper Listed race on the Gold Coast, but still well under the odds from a tough gate. 5. Fiorsum Fred second-up, 9. Throttle Response, a stablemate of the top selection getting blinkers added, and 13. Fast Track if she happens to start; can all add value into exotic plays.
How to play it: Soverato to win.

BEST BETS:
R3 2. BRYANT; R4 8. CENTENARIO

BEST VALUE:
R8 10. SOVERATO

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