In partnership with Racing NSW.
A first-up win was a positive sign to co-trainer Sterling Alexiou that Harry's Evidence is starting to find his groove as a racehorse.
The five-year-old heads to Canterbury on Wednesday having scored over a trip Alexiou is confident is right at the bottom of his powers and showing a willingness to stretch the neck to win.
Harry's Evidence steps up to a trip in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1250m) where Alexiou and Gerald Ryan feel he is well suited to handle a rise in class.
"He's a bit of a quirky customer but he's always had plenty of talent,'' he said.
"It's just been getting him to realise it and grow up a bit mentally.
"It's more mental than anything, he was a bit inclined to overdo things early in his career.
"He wanted to go too hard and over race. He's gone the other way and is relaxing really well, we're looking forward to getting out over 1400m this preparation."
That ability to relax was on show when Harry's Evidence dropped into a trailing position in third in his resumption before he knuckled down and chased under 60.5kg.
What is noticeable out of that win is jockey Chad Schofield only pulled the whip on one occasion and Alexiou said the horse can often over react to it so it's rare a jockey will use the persuader on him.
"They went a good gallop, now he's a bit older the 1100m is just a bit short of his best so I think the step out to 1250m will be good for him,'' he said.
"There looks to be good speed engaged, he should get a nice run from a middle draw and he will be a winning chance again."
Meanwhile, talented three-year-old Southend is set to kick off his spring in the Group 3 Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Up & Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The colt won his first two starts, including the Group 3 Baillieu, before finishing midfield in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes.
Alexiou said Southend's first two starts this campaign are locked in and then a decision on whether he tackles the Golden Rose.
"We've been really happy with him, he's had two good solid trials for 1300m first-up,'' he said.
"He'll go to the Ming Dynasty then we try and work out where he sits in the pecking order.
"There's plenty of races around for him, we're working out what his best trip is and to try to keep him winning.
"We've kept him in a nice spot physically, he will improve on whatever he does on Saturday."
Tips and race by race preview for Wednesday's Canterbury meeting. Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1 - 1:25PM E SECURITY GROUP HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
3. Tannin stretched out to win on debut like a nice horse and that saw him start favourite in a Listed race at Eagle Farm where he didn't run to expectation. Freshened up and trialled strongly in behind them recently. No surprise to see him bounce back.
Dangers: 4. Unhinged has shown promise with placing in two starts and was favourite when bumping into Tron Bolt before a spell. Typical stable trials leading in and well worth respect. 2.Tenenbaum disappointed when $1.22 in the Clarendon on Hawkesbury Cup day, perhaps he was in the wrong part of the track but he was still only fair. Chance to produce something fresh. 6. Sprightly Affair was too slick over the 900m at Newcastle then gave Castlejohn a run for his money from the front at Hawkesbury. Goes to 1200m now but could give a sight if gets control.
How to play it: Tannin WIN.
Race 2 - 2:00PM HEADWATER @ VINERY STUD HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
10. Affari was a significant drifter in betting first-up two weeks ago but her run was excellent as she ran into second alongside a stablemate with some raps on her. Imagine she's better for that, draws the inside and she should run a competitive race.
Dangers: 2. Cantero may have bumped into a handy one on debut when runner-up to Savagram a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps a better draw sees him closer this time around and he'd be a logical threat. 1. Defensemen has put in two handy efforts this time in and it's now some six weeks since his narrow defeat to Proxima Dea at Randwick. Ticked over with a trial and has claims again. 8. Punxsatawney Phil has had several trials over the past few months and has been largely going well. Any support would be a pointer to his chances.
How to play it: Affari WIN.
Race 3 - 2:35PM 2026 KEENELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
1. Champagne Hero was a strong winner at Canterbury two starts back and that's a better pointer than his last start at Randwick. It was the race Puntin stretched them right out and he raced wide in midfield. Blinkers back on, back in grade, good chance to bounce back.
Dangers: 3. Cheval De Bois had every possible chance in front when odds-on two weeks ago. Perhaps he's not a front-runner and at his first run at the trip was found out. He's consistent and with a couple of noted leaders here perhaps he can fare better. 6. Standard Deviation has trialled since his first-up fourth over 1550m earlier in the month in a race the leader had them off the bit a long way from home. Likely improver. 2. Dubai Warrior is racing in good form and while no match for his stablemate over this course last time he still ran well. Has a show.
How to play it: Champagne Hero WIN.
Race 4 - 3:10PM TAB HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
4. Café Au Lait is a market watch first-up but does appear to be well placed to be very competitive fresh. Kept improving through the prep last time in to win third-up. Trialling well, trip should be okay for her and gate one gives her every chance.
Dangers: 11. You're The Choice has found one better in both runs back including at this track first-up. Softer draw and weight drop are pluses and in an open race she's a threat. 9. Sphere was an easy maiden winner when resuming before leaping quickly in class and striking a race dominated near the speed. Forgive that, she can run well. 10. Farfetched led all the way to a deserved maiden win at Hawkesbury on the back of a placing in a handy form race. May have to do some work from the wide gate but in the mix.
How to play it: Café Au Lait WIN.
Race 5 - 3:45PM ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1250 METRES)
6. Harry's Evidence was particularly strong at the end of 1100m when resuming after tracking the speed. He'll be fitter for that and the rise in distance is only in his favour. A bit more depth here but proven in this class already and a good each-way chance.
Dangers: 2. Monte Veebee raced on the speed when resuming over the same course two weeks ago and boxed on pretty well to hold second. He'll be better for that, draws to put himself right there again and should run a nice race. 8. Phantom Major comes off a strong maiden win earlier in the month over a subsequent winner where he was the last man standing sweeping home over the top. Must include him again. 5. Castlejohn faces a bit of a task from the barrier but he shows promise and was good enough to get the job done at 1100m fresh.
How to play it: Harry's Evidence EACH-WAY.
Race 6 - 4:20PM RANVET HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
5. Melanite was game under big weights on heavy tracks in his first two runs then up to Midway level and down in weight he proved too strong at Randwick. Some handy form out of that race. Should get a nice run again from the inside and chance to repeat.
Dangers: 1. Ruination was placed behind Attica last spring and took on a Group 3 first-up before a handy second at Warwick Farm back in March. Fresh again for this, trialling well and should be around the mark. 12. Taxation is a promising mare who impressively won her first two starts before disappointing a shade before a spell. Rested again after beating one home in March on her return, she pulled up with a slow recovery there. Barrier looks an issue but very wary of her. 7. Miss Trentino was solid in the market at her first run for almost a year two weeks ago and she'll be a lot fitter for it. Not disgraced beaten just over a length. Down 3kg with the claim.
How to play it: Melanite WIN.
Race 7 - 4:55PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS HANDICAP (1550 METRES)
4. Cobra Club proved far too good leading all the way at Illawarra Grange then far from disgraced up sharply in class behind Avista at Randwick in a good form race. Can put himself on the speed here and if he's able to control take some running down.
Dangers: 5. Three Arrows is going well without winning and only has to hold form from his last start second in a similar race to be thereabouts again, albeit a trickier draw this time. 11. Red Rags To Bulls finally broke through with an easy win at odds-on at Newcastle earlier this month and while she is a backmarker if they're running on she can be in the finish. 8. Pierata's Gem comes back in class a little from Saturday grade where she's been okay in three runs back though not really hitting the line. Perhaps a soft run here gives her the chance to be more effective.
How to play it: Cobra Club WIN
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