Trainer Terry Evans would like to think his talented grey Sir Ravanelli is the ideal type to aim at Grafton's feature sprint this winter and hopes he can take a step toward that goal at Canterbury on Wednesday.
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The six-year-old has his second run since a two month break in the Yarraman Park Handicap (1100m) and a breakthrough city win in his next few starts will put the Listed Ramornie Handicap, run in July, on the agenda.
Evans was rapt with Sir Ravanelli's first-up third behind dashing winner No Statement over 1000m at Wyong last month and the potential for a soft track is a plus.
"I'm sure he's going to pick one up, even a Saturday race in town, but everything's got to go right for him,'' Evans said.
"He's a big kid but he's racing really tractably now and enjoying himself.
"We'll see how we go for a couple of runs, we'd definitely head to Grafton. That'd be the long range plan."
Sir Ravanelli, $11 with TAB on Tuesday, started his spring preparation with successive wins at Grafton and Evans has been encouraged by his performances in Benchmark 78 grade prior to a short let-up.
He engaged in a speed battle at Randwick just prior to Christmas before running third behind Robusto a few weeks later and was flushed out wide well before the turn at Rosehill when fourth to Union Army.
"He was a bit unlucky not to win at Randwick when he ran third and all the form out of that race is really good, not much went his way at Rosehill,'' Evans said.
"You've only got to look at his form, he's usually not far out of the placings."
With regular jockey Darryl McLellan out suspended, Evans had no hesitation in locking Nash Rawiller in for the ride at Canterbury and he's confident the gelding will respond to his style.
He's expecting the race to be run at a genuine tempo which he feels will suit as he's not likely to be forced to ride the speed and should be able to find cover from barrier four.
"When Digger was suspended we had to try someone else so we might as well go straight to the top,'' he said.
"He's a bit of a funny horse to ride, even though he's six he's still a bit immature in the brain. I'm sure Nash will do a good job.
"Digger said he was getting home that quick at Wyong he'd have picked them up in another 100m.
"We know the pace will be on, we should be maybe three pairs back and one off the fence."
Tips and race by race preview by Racing NSW analyst Ray Hickson for Wednesday's Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1 - 12:50PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
1. Little Jeanie may not have been suited coming back in trip second-up when chasing home an all the way winner at Warwick Farm. She still ran well and stepping up in distance there should be no excuses in a race that looks tailor made for her.
Dangers: 6. Glebe was a serious drifter in betting first-up at Kembla on a heavy track, she still ran a nice enough race to finish a close third there and you'd expect she'll be an improver off it. Keep in mind. 2. Kings Valley is the query runner. An import first-up for Ciaron Maher with blinkers on. Quiet trial at Rosehill a month ago, likely will improve on whatever he does but bears close watching. 4. Kotaishi has the blinkers first time after going down as favourite up to 1850m at Newcastle two weeks ago. Entitled to another look.
How to play it: Little Jeanie WIN; Trifecta 1/ 2,4,6/2,4,6.
Race 2 - 1:25PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
6. Lady Nikster is a big market watch on debut on the back of one barrier trial where she was held together running second over 900m. That was almost a month ago, finds a soft gate and JMac to ride. Looks a good chance.
Dangers: 8. Possibilities is a stablemate who comes out of the same trial and wasn't asked for a whole lot of effort either in finishing sixth, about a length away. Also draws well and worth keeping in mind. 3. Aye Aye Captain has a tricky gate to negotiate but imagine she rolls forward as she did in her fighting debut fourth at Gosford. Has claims. 1. Canara isn't far off a win and had no favours first-up from a wide gate when a closing fourth at Warwick Farm. Draws wide again and back 50m so perhaps she's one to watch for next time.
How to play it: Lady Nikster WIN.
Race 3 - 2:00PM JAMES SQUIRE HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
5. Great White Shark is the third foal of former smart mare Arabian Gold and cost $550,000 at the sales. Only one trial and he picked up a bit of late ground in a 900m heat last month. He's drawn well and while he might relish a bit more ground can run a nice race on debut.
Dangers: 1. Catoggio might not have relished the heavy track at Kembla when runner-up after leading but he still held on okay. Likely to push through from the inside and has the blinkers on so if he gets any control he'll be hard to beat. 2. Imperial Force started an odds-on favourite at his debut at Kensington a few weeks back and fair to say he had his chance. Faces a bit of a job from a wide gate here and loses JMac to the stablemate but stays under notice. 4. Dark Arts hasn't raced since an even debut at Randwick back in December and has trialled once this prep on the synthetic. Worth keeping an eye on.
How to play it: Great White Shark EACH-WAY.
Race 4 - 2:35PM HEADWATER AT VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
2. Hollywood Hero caught the eye when he resumed at Rosehill with a fast-finishing fourth behind Gringotts. Second-up record is good and while he's drawn a bit awkwardly he's right next to the leader so it might work for him. Either way he looks well placed in this.
Dangers: 4. Huesca seemed to have his chance in front at Warwick Farm second-up but had no answer to Green Shadows late. At peak now after those two runs back and if he can stretch out to this trip he should give a sight. 1. Toesonthenose contested the same race and didn't fire a shot in running last but he's much better than that as his form last prep would attest. Capable of sharp improvement. 6. Tavs had good support in the Provincial-Midway Championships heat at Kembla last time and ran on without threatening. He can pull out a big run now and then and from gate one he could easily appear late and be in the finish.
How to play it: Hollywood Hero WIN; Trifecta 2/1,4,6/1,4,6.
Race 5 - 3:10PM CYLINDER @ DARLEY HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
11. Natural Deduction looks a promising type and he improved nicely second-up to score a very soft win at Hawkesbury over the mile. Creeps up in class but has already been exposed to stakes level once and should relish the trip. Hard to beat.
Dangers: 4. Earth Dance started a solid enough favourite at his Australian debut and only warmed up late when fourth at Kensington over 1400m. Straight up in trip could be significant given his win was at 2011m and he's a major player. 10. Smart Legend has been around the mark without winning with four thirds from his last five starts. Having a shot at 1900m here and can't be left out. 2. Casual Connection will love the rise in trip after a handy fourth when second-up at Kensington over 1550m. May be a run or two away from a win but drawn well and claim helps so worth some thought.
How to play it: Natural Deduction WIN; Trifecta 11/2,4,10/2,4,10.
Race 6 - 3:45PM ROBRICK LODGE HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
1. Ebony King did not fire at all at Wyong last start and it's probably best to overlook that effort. Previous two runs including one here suggested he was close to a win so have to be forgiving. Drawn nicely and blinkers on, well worth another chance.
Dangers: 7. Captain Amelia is a handy filly resuming after tackling a string of stakes races in the spring. She ran well in the Flight Stakes at Group 1 level. Unbeaten first-up but drawn wide here probably sees her give away a tidy start. Be very wary. 13. Briasa has done nothing wrong with wins at both starts to date at Kembla Grange on a good and a heavy track. Could take that step up again from a favourable draw. 5. Anagain made a nice enough return at Wyong running into third over 1200m. Doesn't win out of turn but she's often around the placings and is an each-way chance again.
How to play it: Ebony King EACH-WAY.
Race 7 - 4:20PM YARRAMAN PARK HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
7. Smashing Eagle is a backmarker but one with a powerful finish and there should be enough speed in this race to bring him into the finish. When things fall into place he looks very good and he's been competitive in stronger grade. If you can run on he's a big chance fresh.
Dangers: 10. Sir Ravanelli is a consistent type who hit the line nicely over 1000m at Wyong off a two month break. He's run well in this grade previously and any rain around would enhance his chances a little too. Good each-way hope. 8. Stanislaus disappointed in the same race at Wyong when right in the market and has been back to the trials since then. Winner in this grade at Rosehill in October and is entitled to another chance. 1. Gold Revolver was too slick when resuming at Kensington three weeks ago and with gate one you'd imagine he'll push through to hold the lead again. His chances hinge on what pressure is applied as there looks to be potential for that.
How to play it: Smashing Eagle WIN.
Race 8 - 4:55PM TAB HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
16. Rhettara resumes after a spring campaign cut short when she bled as a short priced favourite at Gosford in October. She loomed into that race before stopping quickly. Dominant first-up maiden winner before that and a repeat of that performance would make things interesting.
Dangers: 13. Impulsivity has won two of her three starts this time in and picked them up nicely to score at Newcastle on March 8. Kept fresh so the 100m drop might not be against her. Stays under notice. 3. Queen Of The Mile won her first two last prep before a couple of mixed runs in this grade. Fresh again, drawn well and trialling nicely so she's in the mix. 11. Perfect Proposal raced consistently last time in and showed nice improvement in her second trial when narrowly beaten by Spacewalk. Goes forward and with any luck early could give some cheek.
How to play: Rhettara WIN.
- Analysis supplied in partnership with Racing NSW
