Tips and race-by-race preview for Canterbury on Friday

1 month ago 14

By John Schell

January 29, 2026 — 5.47pm

Selections based on a good track.

Race 1

1. Baja Baby trialled well twice before making her debut and running a solid race to finish second at Kembla Grange. She’s from a form stable and only needs to run up to that debut effort to be difficult to hold out here. 3. Explicit ran well when a last-start third on the Kensington track at Randwick and can show up again with a repeat. 4. Viva Mauricio ran fifth in the same race as Explicit last time out and was placed here before that. 5. Equinox Legend charged home late to be placed at Warwick Farm last time out and warrants respect.
How to play it: Baja Baby to win.

Race 2

1. Alphard had two starts in July and was just behind the placings in each of them at this track and at Rosehill. He resumes here after two trials and is set to sprint well fresh. 8. Impuriteze has been placed in both runs since resuming from a spell and can get into the placings again in this. 4. Springsteed is on debut and has had three trials in preparation. He bears close watching. 6. Chispa is a filly having her first start, and she has had a number of trials in preparation.
How to play it: Alphard to win.

Race 3

3. Stormland has had two runs back from a spell and followed a resuming place with a strong finishing victory at this track when flying home last time out. He has plenty of upside and can win again. 4. Agarwood contested better class races when last in work and has had a couple of trials in readiness for this return. She has the class to return in good form. 6. Albany Road was a winner at Grafton before being spelled and resumed with a solid win on the Kensington track. This looks in his grasp as well. 5. Ready To Shine resumes from a spell here and has the talent to get into the money.
How to play it: Stormland to win.

Race 4

8. Johnny has a good record with a win and two placings from five starts. He resumed from a break with a solid fourth behind Miss Freelove at the Good Coast and should find this easier. 7. Extra Heights won in good style here when second up from a spell and looks capable of going on with the job. 2. Sovereign Hill had things made to order when scoring here last time out and should take running down again. 10. Watson won in good style at Kembla Grange when resuming and can give a bold sight again.
How to play it: Johnny to win.

Race 5

6. Marebello raced on the speed and fought on strongly to score at Kembla Grange when last produced. He is up in distance for this and looks set to go on with the job. 7. Emballee ran well when a last-start placegetter at this track, and she wasn’t far away in two runs before that. 2. Doradus has been racing well and should take plenty of running down from on the speed again. 5. Barcelo won well at this track when stepping out last time and another bold showing could be on the cards if he can run up to that performance.
How to play it: Marebello to win.

Race 6

1. Bat Out Of Hell has been racing well this campaign with a second at Warwick Farm two starts ago followed by a fifth here last week. He should race on the speed and take plenty of running down. 4. Dumebi won at Moruya before a last-start fourth at the same track. He can run well here from the inside gate. 7. It’s A Wonder overraced when down the track last time out, but has the ability to improve here. 8. Taipan Legend won well at Tamworth when last produced and is racing well enough to give this a shake.
How to play it: Bat Out Of Hell to win.

Race 7

8. Nandina is a well-bred filly that made her debut at Warwick Farm and hit the line well after enjoying a good run to defeat Manukau, which then won at Kembla Grange on Wednesday. Nandina should be even better for that experience and can go on with the job. 4. Happy Bellie won on the Kensington track before being spelled, and has run well in both runs since resuming. Another bold showing is on the cards. 7. Maybe Moet resumes from a spell here and won well in a small field on the Kensington track in October. She should sprint well fresh. 1. Monte Kate ran well when a last-start second behind Clancy and can be thereabouts again without surprising.
How to play it: Nandina each way.