Race-by-race tips and preview for Canterbury on Wednesday

3 months ago 24

By Ray Hickson

November 18, 2025 — 5.00pm

Selections based on a good track

Race 1

6. Sweltering won’t get a better chance to post a win but unfortunately the market recognises this and she’s a very short priced favourite. Rightly so, she was narrowly beaten at Flemington last time and not disgraced at Group 3 level before. Entitled to win. 8. Tormanzor showed improvement with the step up in distance into his second race start, hitting the line nicely just behind the placings at Hawkesbury. Further progress can see him run well. 2. Copartner Pegasus is lightly raced and comes through the same race where he led and held on pretty well to run fourth. Possible leader again and could give a sight.
How to play it: Trifecta 6/2,7,8/2,7,8.

Racing heads to Canterbury on Wednesday.

Race 2

13. Sylph was competitive in some good company in her first preparation with form around the likes of Grand Eagle, Agarwood and Stardom. Trialled well leading into this winning her second hitout, draws to have every chance. 7. Supermassive had good support on debut at Kembla Grange and went down fighting. Can only be better for the experience, also drawn well and is a logical threat. 11. La Basilique might be looking for a little further but there was plenty to like about her effort on debut at Kembla a few weeks ago. She was a drifter in betting there and has to be included.
How to play it: Sylph WIN.

Race 3

2. Sarrismo hasn’t done a lot wrong and while beaten as an odds-on favourite at Wyong last time it was by Green Spaces who won easily at Group 3 level last weekend. So the form is solid. Drawn out but chance to go forward. Hard to beat. 4. Big Tiger will roll forward from wide out as well and he was able to fight them off from the front when scoring at Rosehill last week. No reason why he couldn’t back it up and prove hard to run down. 6. Swift Legend has trialled since beating Big Tiger at Warwick Farm almost a month ago. He’d appreciate a bit of pressure up front and could be dangerous if that occurs.
How to play it: Sarrismo WIN.

Race 4

7. Twinkling Star has found her form out at Hawkesbury in three runs back and she sat three wide before powering away to score there last month. Freshened up but trialled well behind a subsequent winner. Drawn nicely and can measure up. 8. Mother Goose was solid in the market first-up at Gosford and found one better after racing right on the speed. Capable type who should be fitter and give a good account. 9. Indefensible took a little while to get going last prep but put two wins together before finishing down the track at Kensington in June. Quiet trials leading in, drawn well, stable in form. Keep safe.
How to play it: Twinkling Star EACH-WAY.

Race 5

6. Placid Pearl is very close to a win and will relish the step up in trip after a closing fourth over 1500m at Randwick on Golden Eagle day. Form around that race is sound enough so far, this is a big class drop and she’s hard to go past. 4. Horizons bounced back from a failure at odds-on when holding third in a Midway at Randwick a couple of weeks ago. Expect she’ll be one of the leaders here and if she holds form she’s right in it. 7. Inception led all the way to score at Scone a month ago before beaten in a close finish when sitting outside the lead from a wide gate at Gosford. An each-way chance.
How to play it: Placid Pearl WIN.

Race 6

2. Couples Retreat proved herself in stronger company when a game on pace third at Rosehill in a strongly run 1100m. That was on the back of two Kembla wins at 1000m. Comes in well with the claim and sure to get the right run from the inside gate. 3. Crepe Myrtle started a short priced favourite and justified it by overcoming a wide run to score comfortably at Gosford second-up. Good form around first-up placing and she’s a big threat. 11. Swordplay was way too quick over the 900m at Newcastle first-up winning by a big space. This is harder but drawn well and if ridden similarly could take running down.
How to play it: Couples Retreat WIN.

Race 7

13. Be Quiet mixed her form a little last time in but did win twice and went for a break on the back of an easy Kembla win in June. Both her trial wins leading into this race have been quite impressive and in a winnable race if she runs up to them will take some beating. 4. Wallenda is a capable mare on her day resuming after a Victorian campaign where she was around the mark without winning. Early form last prep was solid including a second to Boston Rocks and a Kensington win. 1. Power Of The Brave gave a big sight in front when run down late by Sunrise at Randwick two weeks ago. Honest type and is one of the chances.
How to play it: Be Quiet WIN.