Canberra Preview & Best Bets – 18/08/2023

Canberra Tips for Friday, August 18

Our form expert provides Canberra tips for today’s horse racing on Canberra’s synthetic course and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 5:  No.7  SISTER MOON  ($2.10 with Palmerbet)

Unbeaten in four starts, the Keith Dryden-trained SISTER MOON resumes off a 12-week break today and the indications are she will prove a tough nut to crack in this contest. Last start, the Fighting Sun mare ended her last campaign by bringing up the hat-trick, winning a Class 3 Hwy Hcp over 1200m in her first city gallop at Rosehill. She has been in the paddock since and lines-up here today, two from two when first-up. Up in class but returning to country grade company, she still looks the best of the day.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7:  No.4  MISSILE LEADER  ($2.30 with bet365)

Keith Dryden saddles-up MISSILE LEADER here who is yet to miss a podium finish in his three starts to date and with most boxes ticked, looks the one to beat in this contest. Last start, the Smart Missile gelding came off his maiden win (on the synthetic track) when he beat all but one home in a Class 1 Hcp, here over 1206m (also on the synthetic surface). Damon Budler returns for his second ride on the four-year-old who has proven himself on this track now and facing similar company today, looks a genuine winning chance here.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 3:  No.2  ALMAHERO  ($4.40 with bet365)

The Goulburn-based galloper, ALMAHERO, is three starts into this campaign and up in distance today, looks in the mix here. Last start, the Al Maher gelding brought up the ‘number of the beast’ by finishing sixth for the third consecutive time, in a BM66 Hcp over 1400m on his home track. A change of scenery here may help as he sees the Canberra synthetic track for the first time. Trainer, Danielle Seib, has gone with the blinkers here as Beany Panya has her first ride on the five-year-old. Fitter for those three runs back, he steps up to the 1750m today and boasting four career-wins to date, can make his presence felt in this contest.