Spaceboy is long overdue a win and probably won’t be offered a better opportunity than he gets at Canterbury tonight. The Gary Portelli-trained gelding hasn’t run a bad race, he just hasn’t managed to record an elusive victory, and he was last seen finishing fourth in the Magic Millions Maiden on the Gold Coast. He looks to be at peak fitness and has only five opponents to deal with here.
Judge Judi has improved for two starts this time and is ready to win third-up at Canterbury. The Star Witness mare weakened late when fourth over 1300m first-up at Randwick and was unlucky not to win when a close second over a mile at Warwick Farm last time out. She’s drawn a peach tonight and will have the benefit of Jean Van Overmeire’s claim.
She’s Ideel has also accepted for a harder race at Randwick on Saturday, but she looks beautifully placed here and will take a power of beating. The Dundeel mare hasn’t finished worse than second at her three starts this time and recorded a well-deserved win in dominant fashion over 1550m here last time out. This rise in trip should suit at this point of her prep and she’s my best of the night.
Mossman Gorge hasn’t been far from the winner at any of his three starts since resuming and is over the odds to win the last at Canterbury tonight ($7.50 at publish). The Mossman gelding just missed a place in a photo when first-up on The Gong Day and he has since run bold races to finish in the places at two similar races to this one. He’s primed to strike and is drawn ideally, with a claiming apprentice in the saddle.