Canberra Preview & Best Bets – 17/05/2024

Canberra Tips for Friday, May 17

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 4:  No.10  CHOP THE ICE

Local trainer, Gratz Vella saddles-up CHOP THE ICE here who is second-up today and ticks most of the boxes that suggest he will have a hand in the outcome here. Last start, the Santos gelding was fresh off a six-month absence when he beat all but one home in a Class 2 Hcp over 1175m at Albury. Trapped wide most of the way, Damon Budler did well to have him in a winning position on straightening where he charged home to miss by a whisker on the line. He takes on harder company today but drops 5kgs in the process. Already a winner when second-up and has saluted at the track and distance, he will take beating in this contest.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 6:  No.6  LADY REVOLUTION

The Nick Olive-trained LADY REVOLUTION is second-up today and is capable of bouncing back and playing a major role in the outcome here. Last start, the well-bred Russian Revolution filly was fresh off a 17-week break when she sat too far back to pose any threat to victory, finishing down the track in a BM58 over 1000m at Queanbeyan. Clearly in need of the run, she had regular rider, Quayde Krogh in the saddle who remains in charge today. She will strip fitter for that first-up run and draws well here in gate four where she maps to settle just behind the speed with cover. A trouble-free run today should see her challenging for victory in this contest.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 2:  No.7  SAIKO

Another from the Nick Olive stable is SAIKO who is three starts into this campaign and looks well placed here to bring up his first win in more than two years. Last start, the Maurice gelding came from back in the field to finish third in a BM58 over 1200m at Moruya. Held-up at a vital stage in the run home, he finally found clean air but the two in front of him had the momentum up, leaving him with the minor prize on the day. Coriah Keatings retains the ride and despite missing the major prize last start, he seems to have come back in much better form after spending five months in the paddock. After the claim, he comes in on the limit today and fired up from three runs back, he can get the job done here at great odds.