A resilient and sparingly raced Warwick Farm-based mare is poised to secure only her second career victory at Wednesday's Canterbury Park meeting, almost two years after her debut.
Queen's Rhapsody Ready for Canterbury Challenge
Trainer David Pfieffer is optimistic about the four-year-old Queen's Rhapsody ($4.20 on TAB) as she prepares to contest the open The Agency Real Estate Benchmark 72 Handicap over 1250m for older gallopers. The rain-lashed track is likely to be deep in the heavy range, suiting the mare's preferences.
The daughter of dual Cox Plate winner So You Think began her career for the David Pfieffer stable in the winter of 2024, narrowly beaten on the Kensington Track. By the end of that year, she had placed in four consecutive starts, including running the smart Crepe Myrtle to a long head.
She then moved north to the Nathan Doyle yard at Newcastle, where she found immediate success last autumn. After two impressive trial wins on wet tracks, Queen's Rhapsody opened her account in mid-May, powering home to win a handy 3YO Maiden at Hawkesbury. She had only one more run for the Doyle camp before being spelled, then returned to the Pfieffer stable for a 2026 autumn campaign.
Again off a winning trial, she returned with a strong closing effort in a Class 1 at Kembla Grange before running home late in a Saturday Midway BM 72 at Gosford. Connections are confident that run will propel Queen's Rhapsody back into the winner's stall at Canterbury Park, especially given her liking for wet tracks, although she will have to overcome a wide draw (gate 12).
Formidable Opponents
Potentially standing in her way is an exciting four-year-old from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable, Eton ($3.60 favourite), who is gunning for back-to-back wins. The gelded son of I Am Invincible out of well-named English produced one of the highlights of the recent Wagga carnival, sweeping home to win a Super Maiden by nearly four lengths in his first outing for 19 months.
From a low draw, Eton is favourite from Queen's Rhapsody and the Chris Waller-trained mare Concordia Wind on the third line at $5. The track is rated a Heavy 8 with the rail out 4m the entire circumference. There is a very high chance of showers leading up to and including raceday, with a top of 22 degrees on Wednesday.
Full Race Preview
Race 1 - EXCEEDANCE @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1100M)
Celestial Charm ($4.60) is a well-touted debutante filly in the Michael Freedman stable. She was good through the line after sitting wide in winning the second of two trials on a Soft 7, and being by Extreme Choice out of an I Am Invincible mare, she is bred to handle wet tracks. Miss Scandal ($2.40 favourite) is by boom sire Home Affairs for the leading Chris Waller-James McDonald combination, returning for a second start behind two handy trials. Extremely Chic ($10) is another first starter bred to thrive in the going for the Waller camp from a low draw. Girl About Town ($5) by wet track sire Zousain reloads off a month's break after an ordinary debut. Stablemate Pin Up Sheila ($11) by Pinatubo heads the rest behind two handy trials.
How to play it: Celestial Charm to WIN
Race 2 - TOYOTA FORKLIFTS HANDICAP (1250M)
Artgirl ($2.70 fav) is a filly by Flying Artie in the Waller camp, well placed to strike third-up coming back in distance. She led for a long way on the Kensington Track, and that on-speed fitness edge will be pivotal in the going. Stablemate Snitzel Miss ($4.40) is a second-up improver after closing off late fresh behind a smart winner. Royal Air Force ($8.50) is another Waller-trained runner resuming as a gelding from a low draw. Front Rank ($5) is a three-year-old by Snitzel on debut for the Waterhouse-Bott stable in blinkers. Saloon Passage ($11) can run a race fresh at big odds.
How to play it: Artgirl to WIN
Race 3 - ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1900M)
Ivy Legend ($4 equal fav) is a progressive mare well suited second-up over further. She closed off last prep with a dominant maiden win from off speed at Wyong before running home okay first-up over the mile at Kembla, with the second horse from that race then powering home to win a deeper grade next start. Wounder ($4 eq fav) didn't finish off when well backed third-up against similar opposition on the Kensington Track, but blinkers go on. Allegro Miss ($4.80) drops back from tougher Saturday opposition fourth-up and has a real liking for wet tracks. So D'oro ($7.50) is a tough and fit filly who can run into the minor money, while Canberra visitor Midnight Luna ($10) goes in wider exotics.
How to play it: Ivy Legend to WIN
Race 4 - TAB HANDICAP (1250M)
Airworthy ($4.20) is a lightly raced and promising colt resuming for only his third start for the Waterhouse-Bott team. He won first-up late last year after being heavily backed, has trialled well in soft going, and is drawn to get an economical run. Real Baker ($3.10 fav) is an emerging one for the Bjorn Baker yard chasing a third win from only four starts. He went to the bush and bolted in on debut before being turned out, then responded by thrashing a BM 66 field at Bathurst running a slick time for 1200m. Cheeky Smirk ($9) is knockout value from a handy draw coming off a narrow win in weaker provincial class. Chatterley ($9) is on an eight-day turnaround fourth-up and can improve sharply. Jaegers ($8) and Wootton Way ($7.50) head the rest.
How to play it: Airworthy to WIN
Race 5 - RANVET HANDICAP (1550M)
Skycatcher ($3.40 fav) is a smart and progressive wet tracker well fitted to strike second-up over more ground. He won on rain-affected ground both sides of the Tasman last year before earning a lengthy break, then was very stiff not to win first-up in a lesser grade at Wyong after being heavily backed. Hereward ($5) is a provincial three-year-old second-up who comes out of a strong Saturday race over the Scone carnival and has placed twice from three starts in heavy. Peace Officer ($7) is a tough campaigner over the odds fourth-up with blinkers back on. Format ($8.50) looks over the mark too, resuming in conditions he likes. Louie's Legacy ($7) draws the fence second-up, and Highborn Harry ($6) is a heavy track winner resuming off a quiet trial.
How to play it: Skycatcher to WIN
Race 6 - THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1250M)
Queen's Rhapsody ($4.20) is a consistent mare who can overcome a wide barrier to score third-up off a long spell in a tough and open race. She missed narrowly when resuming in a provincial Class 1 before doing her best work late from well back in a Saturday BM 72, 18 days ago. Well treated at the weights, drawn to get to the outside with a superior jockey taking over, and she is right at home on wet tracks. Eton ($3.60 fav) is an emerging Randwick four-year-old who was impressive over the Wagga carnival when resuming for a second prep, sweeping home to easily win a Super Maiden despite having a torrid run. Concordia Wind ($5) resumes off two soft trials, while Xpresso ($12) drawn the inside well into his prep and Perfect Picture ($12) dropping in weight with blinkers going on can add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Queen's Rhapsody to WIN
Best Bets
RACE 3 - 7. IVY LEGEND ($4 equal favourite on TAB)
RACE 5 - 3. SKYCATCHER ($3.40 fav)
Best Value
RACE 6 - 13. QUEEN'S RHAPSODY ($4.20)
Responsible Gambling Disclaimer
While the thrill of horse racing can be captivating, it is important to remember that gambling is a form of entertainment and should be enjoyed responsibly. The tips and opinions expressed in this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. If you or someone you know is affected by problem gambling, help is available. For free and confidential support, please contact:
GambleAware NSW: Phone 1800 858 858 (24/7), Website gambleaware.nsw.gov.au
Gambling Help Online: Phone 1800 858 858 (24/7), Website gamblinghelponline.org.au
Remember, it is okay to ask for help.
