Tips and previews for Canterbury racing on Wednesday

Track heavy 9 and rail out 4m.

RACE 1

1. Celestial Charm is a well-touted debutant filly in the Michael Freedman stable. Good through the line after sitting wide in winning the second of two trials on a soft 7, and doubt there’s a better bred wet track juvenile around being by Extreme Choice out of an I Am Invincible mare. 6. Miss Scandal is by boom sire Home Affairs for the Chris Waller-James McDonald combination returning for a second start behind two handy trials, the latest cruising through the line under a hold after covering ground. Failed in group 3 company when on debut as an easing favourite on Australia Day, but drawn to give a big sight. 3. Extremely Chic is another first starter bred to thrive in the going for the Waller camp from a low draw. Watch the betting on 9. Girl About Town by wet track sire Zousain reloading off a month’s break after an ordinary effort on debut. Stablemate debutant 7. Pin Up Sheila by Pinatubo heads the rest.
How to play it: Celestial Charm to win.

RACE 2

5. Artgirl is a filly by Flying Artie in the Waller camp well-placed to strike third-up coming back in distance, and preferred here to a tougher race later in the meeting. Led for a long way on the Kensington track, and that on-speed fitness edge will be pivotal in the going. Stablemate 1. Snitzel Miss is a second-up improver after closing off late fresh behind a smart winner, despite rising to 60kg. 4. Royal Airforce is another Waller-trained runner shaping over the odds resuming as a gelding from a low draw behind two quieter trials. 2. Front Rank, a three-year-old by Snitzel on debut for the Waterhouse-Bott stable in blinkers. Taken along easily in a couple of trials. 10. Saloon Passage can run a race fresh at big odds.
How to play it: Artgirl to win.

RACE 3

7. Ivy Legend is a progressive mare well suited second-up over further. Closed off last preparation with a dominant maiden win from off speed at Wyong before running home okay first-up over the mile at Kembla, with the second horse from that race then powering home to win a deeper grade next start. She’s bred to relish heavy ground. 8. Wounder didn’t finish off when well backed third-up against similar opposition on the Kensington track. Again drawn well, and importantly blinkers on. 1. Allegro Miss drops back from tougher Saturday opposition fourth-up, has a real liking for wet tracks, and gets back in at the weights after the 3kg claim. 9. So D’oro is a tough and fit filly that can run into the minor money at good odds; while Canberra visitor 2. Midnight Luna deep into her preparation goes in wider exotics.
How to play it: Ivy Legend to win.

RACE 4

1. Airworthy is a lightly raced and promising colt, resuming for his third start for the Waterhouse-Bott team. Won first-up late last year after being heavily backed, has trialled well in soft going, and drawn to get an economical run. 8. Real Baker is an emerging one for the Bjorn Baker yard chasing a third win from four starts, and first against metropolitan opposition. Went to the bush and bolted in on debut before being turned out. Was given 45 days between runs after failing first-up at Muswellbrook, and responded by thrashing a BM 66 field at Bathurst running a slick time for 1200m. Untried in these conditions, but is bred to react. Big watch. 2. Cheeky Smirk is knockout value from a handy draw coming off a narrow win in weaker provincial class. 7. Chatterley is on an eight-day turnaround fourth-up, and can improve sharply after a poor run in provincial BM 64 company.
How to play it: Airworthy to win.

RACE 5

3. Skycatcher is a smart and progressive wet tracker well fitted to strike second-up over more ground. Won on rain-affected ground both sides of the Tasman last year before earning a lengthy break. Then was very stiff not to win first-up in a lesser grade at Wyong after being heavily backed. Carries 2kg less for the rise in grade. 2. Hereward is a provincial three-year-old second-up that comes out of a strong Saturday race over the Scone carnival, and has placed twice from three starts in heavy. 4. Peace Officer is a tough campaigner over the odds fourth-up with blinkers on. 5. Format looks over the mark too, resuming in conditions he likes off two improving 1200m trials. 6. Louie’s Legacy draws the fence second-up, and 7. Highborn Harry, a heavy track winner resuming off a quiet trial, can both figure in minor money.
How to play it: Skycatcher to win.

RACE 6

13. Queen’s Rhapsody is a consistent mare that can overcome a wide barrier to score third-up off a long spell in an open race. Missed narrowly when resuming in a provincial CL1 before doing his best work late from well back in a Saturday BM 72 18 days ago. Well treated at the weights, drawn to get to the outside, and she’s right at home on wet tracks. 12. Eton is an emerging Randwick four-year-old that was impressive over the Wagga carnival when resuming for a second preparation, sweeping home to easily win a Super Maiden despite a torrid run. First time on heavy, but bred to thrive being by I Am Invincible. Gap to the rest headed by honest mare 7. Concordia Wind resuming off two soft trials.
How to play it: Queen’s Rhapsody to win.

BEST BETS: R3 7. IVY LEGEND; R5 3. SKYCATCHER

BEST VALUE: R6 13. QUEEN’S RHAPSODY

Supplied by Racing NSW