Canterbury Preview & Best Bets – 16/08/2023

Canterbury Tips for Wednesday, August 16

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 6:  No.10  CORIOLIS  ($3.70 with Bet Right)

The James Cummings-trained CORIOLIS is in top-shelf form this time in and this event looks like her to lose today. Last start, the Lonhro mare made it two from her last three when she jumped from gate 12 (of 13) and still gave them a galloping lesson, winning a BM64 Hcp over 1200m on the Lakeside track at Sandown. That effort came off consecutive podium finishes at Newcastle. The 15-week spell has clearly done her the world of good as she steps-up in grade today and has James McDonald on board for his third ride on the four-year-old. She gets all the favours today from gate one and after three successful runs this campaign, the Godolphin galloper looks set for back-to-back victories here.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 3:  No.5  SOPHIA’S MAGIC  ($4.60 with Picklebet)

The Chris Waller-trained SOPHIA’S MAGIC is four starts into this campaign and looks well placed here for a shot at career-win number four today. Last start, the Charm Spirit mare came off a couple of lack-lustre efforts when she found the podium again, finishing third in a BM78 Hcp over 1800m at Randwick. With the pace on up front, she ran home well to secure third spot, beaten just two lengths on the line. She drops back in grade today and has James McDonald back in the saddle. Already a winner at the track and distance, and perfectly drawn in gate two, she will take beating here.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 5:  No.4  AMERICAN PRESIDENT  ($9.50 with Unibet)

Bjorn Baker saddles-up AMERICAN PRESIDENT here who is third-up today and should be ready to win. Last start, the Starspangledbanner gelding showed some improvement when finishing mid-field on Randwick’s Kensington course in a BM72 Hcp over 1100m. While not exactly setting the world on fire, the five-year-old had no luck at all in the run home, with openings closing on him several times. That can all change today as he gets the gun run from gate one in this contest. His only start on this track ended in a win (by three lengths) in a BM68 on a Heavy 10. Keagan Latham was in the saddle that day and is back to steer the ship here. With a trouble-free run today, he looks well worth an each-way ticket in this line-up.