Expert - Brett Davis

Brett Davis was introduced to Australian Racing by his father back in the early 1980’s when his family became involved in formulating “Thoroughbred Racing Syndications”. Brett worked from 1995 as a Professional Form Analysts and Race Broadcaster with an array of companies throughout most parts of the Australia Racing industry. He currently resides in Adelaide, his hometown in Australia, where he is Chief Thoroughbred Race Caller and Form Analyst for Tabcorp / SkyChannel / RadioTAB. Brett Davis also spent 2 years with the Singapore Turf Club and 13 Racing Seasons with the Hong Kong Jockey Club between 2006 to 2019 as a leading Form Analyst / Race Caller and was the HKJC Chief Race Caller from 2014, calling the last 5 Hong Kong International (Turf World Championships) race meetings and over 50 G1 races. Brett has immense passion for Australian Racing both personally and professionally. With his diverse knowledge and long standing industry relations he’s a valuable asset to racing and it’s enthusiasts.

 

Expert Column for Canterbury Stakes Day (S3) (Brett Davis)

 

S3-1     Randwick Guineas

BROADSIDING made a faultless return in the G2 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill over 1400m courtesy of a fabulous ride by jockey Zac Lloyd. Last season’s champion 2YO made an immediate impact on the betting around his future assignments following the aforementioned win, so wherever he goes from now he’s the expected horse to beat. His second up record is somewhat questionable and there are opponents with superior race fitness on their side, but he’s a genuine super star in the making so be weary taking him on.

 

AELIANA showed us she’s all heart and extremely talented herself by chasing BROADSIDING to the line first up in the G2 Hobartville Stakes. She was an outstanding runner up in the G1 Thousand Guineas at Flemington last campaign and appears to have greatly matured following a summer break. Her second up record on the other hand is faultless at this stage of her career and she’s already proven herself at a mile.

 

SWIFTFALCON is another big time 3YO that returned in great fashion with a gutsy second placing behind BROADSIDING in the G2 Hobartville Stakes. He was a few lengths behind the top echelon when competing last campaign but looks to have strengthened up enormously following a rest. He could be looking for further than the 1600m now he’s had a run which may potentially flatten his finishing burst.

 

LINEBACKER has been a slow maturing type compared to others going around in this contest but has the benefit of two runs back from a spell. He’s got the gate speed to cross the field from barrier six early on and ultimate be first to find the rail. His class shall be severely tested when they swing into the straight but he’ll be given every hope on the speed.

 

FIRM AGREEMENT did begin well at his first run back and subsequently never really got involved. He showed nice potential over the longer trips last time in work so he’ll appreciate rising to the mile. He has been previously placed at G1 level which is a statistic that can hold him in good stead.

 

SELECTIONS: 1. BROADSIDING, 9. AELIANA, 2. SWIFTFALCON, 3. LINEBACKER & 5. FIRM AGREEMENT

 

1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):

S3-1	Multiple
	1. BROADSIDING & 9. AELIANA
S3-2	Multiple
	12. SWITZERLAND & 10. MAGIC TIME

 

S3-2     Canterbury Stakes

SWITZERLAND produced two outstanding victories in the spring of 2024 by winning the G2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill, and the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington, both at 1200m. His return in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes over 1000m was honest and brave but suggested he was in need of the run. With a career at stud already confirmed it’s anticipated the son of SNITZEL goes close to bouncing back to his winning ways today, whilst in the process keeping his undefeated second up record intact.

 

MAGIC TIME was awesome winning first up in the G2 Expressway Stakes after being held up for a portion in the straight.
She eventually got clear before darting through a small gap to win with an instantaneous turn of foot. She’s well in at weight for age, has a superb strike rate second up and boasts an excellent winning record at this track. She can also adapt to any ground conditions of which all make her extremely difficult to hold off and defeat.

 

SUNSHINE IN PARIS celebrated her first major victory in the G1 VRC Champions Sprint at Flemington over the 1200m last spring. By all reports, she’s summered particularly well and was seen going strongly to the line in two lead up barrier trials at Rosehill. Many of the opposition have race day fitness on their side, which may come into play over the later stages, but there’s every possibility she’ll fire like a rocket first up which is precisely what her fresh record infers.

 

CEOLWULF is the top rated amongst this quality field and despite coming back in distance must be entertained. His form last campaign was of the highest regard and he returned with a brilliant run first up in the G2 Apollo Stakes. He’s well in at weight for age and drawn nicely in gate one, so if he secures a touch of luck in the stretch he’ll be belting home hard at the end.

 

HERE TO SHOCK returns to Australia following a brilliant on pace win in the G1 BCD Group Sprint in New Zealand. With a low draw to exit from in gate two he appears a moral to enjoy a comfortable run up on speed. He can handle cushion in the track and arrives rock hard fit so it won’t be a beyond him to again run well.

 

SELECTIONS: 12. SWITZERLAND, 10. MAGIC TIME, 9. SUNSHINE IN PARIS, 1. CEOLWULF & 2. HERE TO SHOCK

 

2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):

S3-2	Multiple
	12. SWITZERLAND & 10. MAGIC TIME
S3-3	Multiple
	17. ALALCANCE & 1. DUKE DE SESSA

 

DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):

S3-2	Banker
	12. SWITZERLAND
	Selections
	10. MAGIC TIME, 9. SUNSHINE IN PARIS, 1. CEOLWULF & 2. HERE TO SHOCK
S3-3	Banker
	17. ALALCANCE
	Selections
	4. ASTERIX, 9. OUR ANCHORAGE, 10. REDSTONE WELL & 14. KINESIOLOGY

 

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):

S3-2	Multiple
	12. SWITZERLAND, 10. MAGIC TIME & 9. SUNSHINE IN PARIS
S3-3	Multiple
	17. ALALCANCE, 4. ASTERIX & 9. OUR ANCHORAGE
S3-4	Multiple
	4. COMMEMORATIVE, 10. CLEAR THINKING & 13. OUTBACK MISS

 

S3-3     Randwick City Stakes

ALALCANCE is a former Irish mare that’s likely to improve further this campaign following two runs in, plus two more additional trials. With a light weight and barrier one on her side she’s going to receive favours in the run and is more than capable of handling wet ground. She’ll be in the market and hard to beat with rating points clearly in hand.

ASTERIX is a former kiwi who recently transferred to the stable of Chris Waller and appears now ready to peak. He’s only lightly raced but a proven G1 and G2 performer and with James McDonald to ride must be included. He should find a position just off the speed and be ready to pounce when they turn into the straight, which shall create his solid winning chance.

OUR ANCHORAGE has drawn an awkward barrier out wide but is in a hot streak of form having won all four starts this current campaign. He’s taking on his biggest assignment here in a race with plenty of speed but should be able to hustle forward with intent and position up. There’ll be plenty waiting to cut him down when they turn into the straight but his recent line of work says he’ll go a long way.

REDSTONE WELL is still to find the strong Irish form which saw him travel to Australia but he’s now on the right track. A summer spell has seen him further improve and I appreciate the way he stuck on first up, despite getting tired. The rebooking of Tom Sherry is a positive sign so I fancy he’ll be somewhere thereabouts at the end.

 

KINESIOLOGY, based on his form from Ireland is most likely still looking for further ground, but that doesn’t mean he’s completely out of contention over 2000m. The wide draw shouldn’t be a concern, because he’ll settle back in the field. The Sydney Cup is his ultimate goal and for that campaign to continue he must run well here today.

SELECTIONS: 17. ALALCANCE, 4. ASTERIX, 9. OUR ANCHORAGE, 10. REDSTONE WELL & 14. KINESIOLOGY

 

3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):

S3-3	Multiple
	17. ALALCANCE & 4. ASTERIX
S3-4	Multiple
	4. COMMEMORATIVE & 10. CLEAR THINKING

 

S3-4     HKJC World Pool Wenona Girl Quality

COMMEMORATIVE didn’t receive a clear run first up at a vital stage and it arguably cost her the race won by INHIBITIONS.
The softer track on offer today should further improve her hopes so she’s entitled to another winning chance. She could potentially be caught off the track through the first half of the race, but that might end up being the right place to be at that particular time of the day.

 

CLEAR THINKING is a high quality and lightly raced mare who should have arguably won the G3 Triscay Stakes at her most recent start. The wide barrier saw her settle to far back before she cut loose down the stretch to narrowly go under. She’s already proven her affiliation with rain affect tracks and that’s precisely what she’ll encounter here today.

 

OUTBACK MISS ventures to Randwick for the first time with four wins to her name from six starts. She’s shown a real liking for cushion in the track and continues to lift when asked to take another step. She can box seat from the draw right in behind a solid speed, before pushing out to put in her winning claim.

 

SHEZANALISTER returned to racing following her summer break with a high class win over 1000m at Randwick. She then stepped up to the 1100m at Rosehill and produced another high-quality finish. She’s giving every indication she’s gone to a new level this campaign so with a clear running down the straight she can win.

 

CONFESS OUR DREAMS is the one to consider first up at a price and should be included in all exotics. With five wins from ten starts already accumulated in the lower grades she’s worthy of respect, particularly following a relaxing and maturing summer break. Furthermore, her two barrier trial wins leading in at Rosehill suggest she’s ready to run a race.

 

SELECTIONS: 4. COMMEMORATIVE, 10. CLEAR THINKING, 13. OUTBACK MISS, 8. SHEZANALISTER & 12. CONFESS OUR DREAMS

 

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