A field of nine will line up in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Bisley Workwear Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.
Hugh Bowman rides Clearly Innocent, above, in the 2018 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer Kris Lees is looking for back to back wins in the Canterbury Stakes after claiming the winning trophy last year with Le Romain and has two strong chances in Clearly Innocent and Invincible Gem.
Hugh Bowman finds himself back aboard the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup winner Clearly Innocent who drew in close at barrier three while the well performed mare Invincible Gem will jump from gate six with Corey Brown in the saddle.
Clearly Innocent has the benefit of one run under his belt with a first up sixth for Jason Collett in the Group 3 $150,000 ACJC Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 17.
Invincible Gem has a very good first up record and will be stepping out for the first time since running third to Happy Clapper in the Group 2 $200,000 Tattersalls Club Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick during the 2017 Sydney Spring Carnival.
Happy Clapper has drawn the rails in the Canterbury Stakes with Blake Shinn to ride and trainer Pat Webster has been happy with the seven year old’s preparation.
I’m very happy with him. His trials have been good and so has his work,” Webster told AAP.
“He’s in a good place and so is his trainer.
“I just hope the rain stays away because he loves firm tracks.”
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Global Glamour has drawn barrier eight for Tim Clark while Chris Waller’s high quality mare Foxplay will jump from the outside gate with Kerrin McEvoy booked to ride.
Waller will also saddle up last start Apollo Stakes winner Endless Drama who draw barrier four with Tye Angland retaining the mount.
The early Canterbury Stakes 2018 betting at Ladbrokes.com.au has Happy Clapper and Clearly Innocent as the $4.80 equal favourites just ahead of Global Glamour at $6.
Final Field for 2018 Canterbury Stakes (1300m)
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25x121262x | HAPPY CLAPPER | Patrick Webster | Blake Shinn | 1 | 59kg | 114 |
| 2 | 9113x385x6 | CLEARLY INNOCENT | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 59kg | 111 |
| 3 | 5x0x360x31 | ENDLESS DRAMA (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | 4 | 59kg | 107 |
| 4 | 81368x008x | DERRYN | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Josh Parr | 7 | 59kg | 102 |
| 5 | 41x23475x3 | FOXPLAY | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 9 | 57kg | 111 |
| 6 | 541112x13x | INVINCIBLE GEM | Kris Lees | Corey Brown | 6 | 57kg | 108 |
| 7 | 302x19x642 | GLOBAL GLAMOUR | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 8 | 57kg | 107 |
| 8 | 2x21510x23 | SHOWTIME | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Brenton Avdulla | 5 | 56kg | 100 |
| 9 | 35x2450x41 | TULIP | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Jason Collett | 2 | 54kg | 90 |
