Canberra Preview & Best Bets – 08/12/2023

Canberra Tips for Friday, December 08

Our form expert provides Canberra tips for today’s horse racing at Canberra Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 7:  No.8  FINAL COMMENT  ($4.40 with Ladbrokes)

Nick Olive saddles-up FINAL COMMENT here who is four starts into this preparation and knocking on the door for a win. Last start, the Hellbent gelding finished runner-up for the second time in his past three starts when he was collared right on the line in a BM70 Hcp, here over the 1600m trip. He sat one pair back from the speed and on straightening, Alysha Collett drove him to the lead but he couldn’t hold off the late challenge from Geostorm in the end. At his peak today after four starts back, Nick Heywood has the reins for the first time and from gate four, he will give the four-year-old every chance to break through for his first win this campaign.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 5:  No.3  BOLD TRIUMPH  ($4.60 with bet365)

Ther Wodonga-based galloper, BOLD TRIUMPH, is second-up today and has strong claims to take this contest out. Last start, the Turffontein gelding had his first start for new trainer Craig Widdison and impressed when beating all but one home in a Class 1 over 1200m at Wagga. Beaten a whisker by Laurel Hill, the pair of them finished more than three lengths ahead of the rest, clocking 1:09.7 for the trip. Already a winner when second-up, he draws gate five today and has Nick Souquet as the new pilot for today’s assignment. A clear passage home could see him a winner with his first look at the Canberra track.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 8:  No.4  ASPIRED  ($9 with Neds)

Second-up today, the Moruya galloper, ASPIRED, looks a strong chance at going back-to-back today. Last start, the Sooboog mare was resuming from a lengthy seven-month absence when she took out a BM50 over 1000m at the Sapphire Coast with apprentice Ruby Scott aboard. She has placed twice from two previous second-up appearances as she faces similar company today. From gate four, she maps to settle right behind the speed and fitter for that first-up win, a clear run to the line here could see her first run on the Canberra track a winning one at odds today.