For the first time in a long time for a Saturday in Sydney, we are looking for runners with wet track credentials.
Continued rainfall has the Canterbury track rated a Heavy 8 as of Friday morning however fortunately the runners with strong profiles on their last start form have performed well on wet tracks.
The first is Mr Manhattan in the Tab Rewards Benchmark 85 Handicap.
The Manhattan Rain gelding has commenced his latest campaign in excellent fashion, winning over 1000m at both Warwick Farm and Randwick.
He now rises in class and distance on those efforts however it shapes as a nice progression for the flashy chestnut.
Mr Manhattan lines up in a field of seven and is expected to get a race run to suit.
The pace will be on from the outset here with a majority of the field noted leaders.
It should allow Mr Manhattan and Josh Parr to settle back and be powering home outside tiring leaders in the straight.
In the final event of the day, Better Not Blue can build on a strong first up effort contesting the Cellarbrations Benchmark 78 Handicap (1250m).
The son of Churchill Downs was strong on resuming, winding up well out wide for a second at Randwick over 1200m behind the Gary Moore-trained Dream Choice.
Michelle Ritchie’s stable star will no doubt have taken benefit from the outing and has won second up previously.
In form apprentice Jess Taylor again rides and her 3kg claim brings the honest galloper in nicely at the weights.
Furthermore, the gelding won his lone visit to Canterbury which was also at this distance and on a heavy track.
Like Mr Manhattan earlier in the program, Better Not Blue will settle back behind an anticipated strong early speed and be charging into calculations late.
Sydney Specials: Canterbury – November 7
Best Of The Day: R4; #2 Mr Manhattan @ $2.10
Each Way Play: R9; #2 Better Not Blue @ $4.75
