Canterbury Stakes Tips – Joliestar the one to beat with promising youngster to press claims

The Chris Waller mare comes into the race following a strong first-up performance when taking out the Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, going 9.3 lengths faster than standard and confirming she has come back in top shape. 

Lady Shenandoah finished 3rd behind Joliestar in the Expressway Stakes and again shapes as a contender if she can build on that run, while Beiwacht was 8th in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington and now returns to Sydney conditions.

Napoleonic brings race fitness after two runs this preparation, finishing runner-up on both occasions. His latest effort came in the Hobartville Stakes where he settled midfield on a slow tempo and worked home steadily behind Ninja in a race that did not entirely suit his pattern.

Prior to that he finished runner-up behind Tempted in the Eskimo Prince Stakes, form which ties in well with Joliestar given Tempted finished ahead of her when runner-up to Ka Ying Rising in The Everest.

That quintet all have the advantage of race fitness on their side with the likes of 

Gringotts, Yorkshire, Headley Grange and Linebacker all resuming and while they may need the run up against some big names, they are not to be underestimate. Linebacker has solid first up credentials, while Gringotts is a proven Group 1 performer over slightly longer trips. 

Beiwacht (8) looks the likely leader and should press forward early to control the tempo.

Yorkshire (4) can settle just off the speed, while Headley Grange (2), Gringotts (1) and Lady Shenandoah (7) map to position prominently in the first half of the field.

Napoleonic (9) and Linebacker (3) should settle midfield where they can build momentum approaching the turn.

Joliestar (6) appears likely to settle slightly further back before producing her finishing burst in the straight, while Nepotism (10) and Encap (5) may concede a start and attempt to run on late.

With a moderate tempo expected early, the race may develop into a sprint from the 400m.

Joliestar looks the class runner in the race and profiles to peak second-up. Her Expressway Stakes victory first-up came with a benchmark figure of 9.3 lengths faster than standard and she has already shown she improves sharply at this stage of her preparation, highlighted by her dominant Newmarket Handicap win second-up last autumn when spiking on benchmark figures, while it is hard to knock her effort in the Everest. She maps to get the gun run from barrier 4 and with James McDonald on board, she is clear top pick. 

Napoleonic shapes as the value runner. His latest effort in the Hobartville Stakes was better than it reads after settling midfield in a slowly run race before making ground late. His earlier run behind Tempted in the Eskimo Prince Stakes ties in strongly with Joliestar’s Everest form and he also produced a significant benchmark spike third-up last preparation when finishing 4th in the Roman Consul. Dropping back to 1200m looks suitable and he has the profile to improve again here.