Three of the best from racing editor Chris Scholtz for the Canterbury meeting on December 28.
Photo by Racing and Sports
CANTERBURY SATURDAY
RACE 4 (7) BENNETTA: Highly promising filly gets the chance to drop her maiden tag at her fourth start with her trainer Grahame Begg showing confidence by passing up easier races to tackle this company. He does so with good reason as she will be getting up to 4kg from her better performed rivals and will be ridden to have the last run at them in this small field after nothing went right for her first-up over 1200m at Rosehill when she got too far out of her ground. She has the potential to win good races.
RACE 7 (2) MARDEN: Opinions remain divided on whether he should have lost his last race to the in-form Scream Machine over 1900m at Rosehill when he was relegated to second by a controversial protest decision. It was a positive return to form by this gelding at his fourth start since resuming and he can only make further improvement off that effort. He does rise 4.5kg in weight but meets lesser opposition and should respond well to the strength of an in-form Hugh Bowman taking over as his rider from the suspended Peter Robl.
RACE 8 (5) GASQUET: Showed brilliant speed from the barrier to boost his strong career record to five wins from 10 starts when he defied a big betting drift to win easily over this course and distance on December 7 at his first start since July. He had no trouble leading under 57.5kg from a wide gate and should again take running down with his extra fitness and the advantage of a much better draw.
