Canberra Preview & Best Bets – 20/03/2024

Canberra Tips for Wednesday, March 20

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 6:  No.2  BLUE GROTTO 

The Jamie Stewart-trained BLUE GROTTO is second-up today and ticks all the right boxes that suggest he is the one to beat in this contest. Last start, the Kaphero gelding resumed after more than six months off the scene when he beat all but one home in a BM66 over 1010m at Moruya. Trying to lead all the way, she only had one real danger that day, the race favourite (Sunchyme) who edged out the five-year-old sporting a 5.5kg weight advantage that day. Already a winner when second-up and boasting a track and distance victory as well, fitter for that first-up effort and already a winner when second-up, he will take beating here today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 3:  No.7  TAYTAY BAY

The John Nisbet-trained TAYTAY BAY can already be declared a track specialist and fourth-up today, looks well placed to give this contest a real shake. Last start, the Headwater gelding was third-up when he broke through for his maiden win, here over 1300m. With Jack Martin aboard, he came from well back on the turn and got there right on the line. Martin sticks with him today as he steps-up to the mile trip here and now three starts into this campaign, he should be at his peak and go back-to-back today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 5:  No.6  PACKER

Greg Hickman saddles-up PACKER here who is in good touch this preparation and is capable of showing up in this contest. Last start, the Written Tycoon gelding came off a win at Bathurst over 1400m when he finished a close-up fourth against similar company over the shorter 1300m trip. Today, he steps up to the mile for the first time and does it with a new rider as Jeff Penza is legged aboard for this assignment. He drops in weight today and looks well drawn in gate seven. At peak fitness after four starts back, a trouble-free run here can see him figure in the finish.