The highlight of Canterbury’s seven race Friday night meeting, will be a scamper over 1100m and the $100,000.00 Canterbury Classic. Nine runners take part with 3yo Sessions the early favourite @ $2.60 with Sportsbet. Sessions has started short-priced favourite at each of his last four starts for two wins, a second and third.
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1. WHITEFRIARS – G Schofield (8)
He resumed in the Razor Sharp Quality at Warwick farm before Christmas, his first start in almost two years. Did as well as connections would have hoped for under 61.5kgs and finished five lengths from winner Adebisi (Riva de Lago, who won last Saturday, finishing third). He’s been given a month to get over that run but kept up to the mark with a Barrier Trial on the 15th January. He’ll be fitter but still has the big weight and wide gate to contend with.
Odds: $12.00
2. SKYTRAIN – (4)
Had every chance first up two starts back behind Adebisi in the Razor Sharp Quality (finishing sixth of ten, beaten 3 ¼ lengths). Loomed up to win at his next start, when a head second to No Looking Back (good again at the Magic Millions) but just refused to go on with it. No doubting his ability but a big question mark over his mental attitude.
Odds: $7.50
3. UNANIMOUSLY – T Berry (2)
The 5yo from Matthew Dale’s Canberra yard resumes off a twenty-two week spell. He was relegated to third in the Stewards room in the Carlyon Stakes back in August of last year at Moonee Valley and that followed a length second to Freereturn in an Open Sprint, again at the Valley. Has had a comfortably trial win in readiness for his return, is three from five first up and has a solid overall race record to his name.
Odds: $5.00
4. ZARATONE – K O’Hara (5)
A speedy type who, on his favourite circuit at Rosehill, returned to form and went within a whisker of claiming the Carrington Stakes (1100m), two starts back when finishing a nose second to No Looking Back. Led again but couldn’t hold off the challengers in the Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford last start, finishing eighth of ten (beaten 3.4 lengths) behind Testarythm and Soledad. Back to 1100m and the Canterbury track both in his favour and will be in it for a long way.
Odds: $15.00
5. UATE – B Avdulla (6)
He won a restricted race here four starts back and in three runs since, has finished a close second to Irish Jig and at his most recent start, a strong on-pace effort finishing third behind Testarythm in the Takeover Target Stakes (beaten 1.7 lengths). He might be able to follow Zaratone, who is drawn on his immediate inside, across and should give a good account of himself if his last start effort is repeated.
Odds: $7.50
6. JUST CREWSIN’ – (7)
He is a 7yo gelding that last visited the winner’s stall back in May of 2011 at Randwick – fourteen starts ago now. He’s had two barrier trials in preparation for his return but a record of one win first up (that being the Listed Carrington Stakes in January 2011 @ 20/1) from seven starts, doesn’t enthuse.
Odds: $67.00
7. DIDNTCOSTALOT – P Robl (3)
Another who resumes after having finished a length second to Welkom Gold in an Open Class event over 1100m back in early November of last year. That followed a 3 ½ length behind Buffering in the G2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield. Ran second under in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on the 15th January under Peter Robl who is on board here and ridden the horse in three of his last four starts for a win and second.
Odds: $6.50
8. SESSIONS – (9)
Only runner in the race that can claim a last start victory, that coming with long neck victory over Territory and Floral Insight in a BM 80 race at Warwick Farm earlier this month. The 3yo by Lonhro from the Darly establishment enjoyed the solid pace there and finished strongly to record his third win from five starts. Expect him to sit off the strong pace and to be finishing hard and wide but will be giving them all a start from his wide draw as they turn.
Odds: $2.70
9. TERRITORY – (1)
Also by Lonhro, this now 5yo use to be with the Lee Freedman stables but is now under the guidance of Warwick Farm trainer, Jarrod Austin. He stepped out for the Austin stable for the first time at Warwick Farm earlier this month and finished second to Sessions. Can only be better for that run and can take a forward spot and will make his own luck in the run.
Odds: $17.00
OVERVIEW
Only nine runners but this is a tricky race. Zaratone leads with Unanimously, Didncostalot and Uate all handy. Didntcostalot, from gate three, might get the sweetest of the runs and any sting out of the track will increase chances. Consistent last prep and the trial hit-out indicated that he is ready for this. Like him at the $6.50 eachway quoted early. Session will get back, it’s his first look at Canterbury under race conditions and I’m a little cautious of the $2.60 on offer early.
