Up to $500,000 in prize-money goes on the line at Randwick on Saturday as a small but talented field step out to contest the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
Godolphin has dominated the final acceptances with early favourite Bivouac lining up alongside stablemates Savatiano and Kementari, while the Hawkes-trained Masked Crusader is looking to stage an upset in his Group 1 debut.
Favourites have proven a profitable commodity in recent years with Happy Clapper saluting at short odds back in 2018.
Last start winners have also dominated to win four of the last nine editions, a stat that reads well for Masked Crusader and Savatiano.
For complete analysis on each and every runner, be sure to read our 2021 Canterbury Stakes Preview below!
Bivouac
Bivouac strips fitter for his first-up run when fifth in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes behind Nature Strip three weeks ago.
The four-year-old was nominated for the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on Saturday, but it appears the Godolphin team are willing to stretch him out to the 1300m following a rather flat performance first-up over shorter.
The son of Exceed And Excel failed to show his usual turn of foot in the Lightning, but there’s no question he was always going to be better suited over further.
The dual Group 1 winner hasn’t raced over the 1300m before, but he did look in exceptional order during the week beating home stablemate Kementari in a hit-out at Kembla Grange.
With two wins to his name second-up and some handy runs under his belt at Randwick in the past, the three-time Group 1 winner is no doubt the horse to beat.
Key Stat: Glen Boss is shooting for win No. 3 in the Canterbury Stakes after first winning in 1995 aboard Sprint By, and again in 2001 aboard Shogun Lodge.
Dreamforce
Dreamforce is looking to add to his outstanding record at Randwick first-up from a spell.
The old boy was originally set to make his return in the Apollo Stakes a fortnight ago but will instead lineup in search of another Group 1 after claiming the George Ryder at Rosehill last year.
The son of Fastnet Rock is a six-time winner at Randwick and absolutely flies fresh with four wins on the board from 10 starts.
It would take another special performance to beat home some of these, but a place isn’t out of the question.
Samadoubt
Samadoubt hasn’t been seen at the races in over a year, but he isn’t to be underestimated in this small field.
The son of Not A Single Doubt won the Group 1 Winx Stakes at 31-1 two years ago and is another one that tends to do his best racing fresh.
In two trials, he’s beaten home Hungry Heart and Dreamforce by comfortable margins and is capable of running a race here at odds.
Kementari
Kementari finally got the monkey off his back with a win in the Group 3 AJ Scahill Stakes at Ascot back in December.
It had been over two years since the son of Lonhro had won a race prior, making him tough to trust stepping out first-up from an awkward draw.
The six-year-old has run well fresh in the past, but looks better suited out over further.
Hungry Heart
Hungry Heart has fitness on her side as she looks to make amends for a luckless run when resuming in the Light Fingers.
The filly by Frankel was caught four wide the trip without cover before finishing off for seventh.
Another wide gate makes life tricky for James McDonald, but there is definite improvement to come based on her second-up record alone.
She won’t want it too wet, but the 1400m is a big tick.
Victorem
Victorem returned a good effort first-up in the Southern Cross Stakes finishing only two lengths third to Saturday’s rival Masked Crusader.
He’s been no match in two runs at Group 1 level in the past but can take improvement into this race with three wins on the board second-up.
Looks a knockout chance if the track stays dry.
Dawn Passage
Dawn Passage resumes from a spell looking to pick up where she left off during the Spring.
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained four-year-old found the placings in the Silver Eagle, the Golden Eagle and The Gong at Kembla Grange and has typically done some of her best racing off a break.
She’s raced fairly in two starts at Group 1 level in the past, most recently making up ground for seventh in last year’s Stradbroke Handicap.
Has trialled well in the lead-up and is worth entertaining each-way.
Masked Crusader
Masked Crusader will face Group 1 company for the first time in what is shaping up to be his toughest assignment to date.
After a frustrating Spring, the Hawkes-trained gelding kicked clear to win the Southern Cross Stakes by two lengths first-up, a performance that suggests he should appreciate getting out over further now.
Providing he jumps well, he should be in this for a long way.
Key Stat: the Southern Cross Stakes has produced three winners of the Canterbury Stakes, most recently Le Romain in 2017.
Savatiano
Savatiano was simply sensational first-up at Rosehill leading from barrier to box to win the Group 2 Expressway Stakes.
The Street Cry mare put two lengths on the rest of the field at the 350m mark and rates as one of the main dangers to stablemate Bivouac if Hugh Bowman can establish another prominent position on speed.
Her fresh record (six wins from nine starts) speaks for itself, while she’s also a proven performer over this trip with four wins on the board.
The six-year-old ran on well for second in this race last year behind The Bostonian and is a tick in just about every box.
Key Stat: Savatiano is looking to become the sixth horse to complete the Expressway – Canterbury Stakes double.
Madam Rouge
Madam Rouge absolutely loves a dry track, something she didn’t get first-up in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill.
Despite not finding conditions to suit, she still chased home strongly to run less than a length second to Subpoenaed after getting away awkwardly from the gates.
The Zoutstar mare has won previously second-up and has the added luxury of James McDonald back in the saddle.
She held her own for second in last year’s Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm and was far from disgraced when seventh in the Sir Rupert Clarke at Caulfield during the Spring.
Rates a serious value bet back on top of the ground.
Key Stat: James McDonald is shooting for win No. 3 in the Canterbury Stakes after first winning aboard Cosmic Endeavour in 2015 and again in 2016 aboard Holler.
Mizzy
Mizzy rattled off back-to-back Group 2 wins at Rosehill back in 2019 before running third in the inaugural edition of The Golden Eagle.
She’s struggled to repeat that form ever since though, running third-last in the Sheraco Stakes during the Spring and 11 of 18 in the Oakleigh Plate last month at Caulfield.
Tough to recommend based on those efforts.
Prague
Prague has also accepted for the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington and gets the blinkers on after finishing off well for third in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes first-up.
The lightly-raced colt by Redoute’s Choice has been competitive at this level in the past finishing only half a length second to to King’s Legacy in the Inglis Sires’ last year.
He won his trial well at Canterbury last week, but would probably prefer some sting out of the track.
Canterbury Stakes Tip
Bivouac at $3.00