Canberra Horse Racing Analysis for Friday, April 17th -

April 17, 2026

Canberra Horse Racing Analysis for Friday, April 17th

Canberra hosts an 8-race card on a Soft 5, with good depth across maidens and benchmarks. Competitive fields throughout, especially mid-card, with strong form lines and improving runners. Plenty of value across the meeting.

Canberra (ACT) – Soft 5

Code: BBT500

R1

UNAVOIDABLE has shown good early form and looks well placed after a solid return, the one to beat. CANJUSTIFY drops back in grade and can feature. KNIGHT OF RHODES should improve second-up, while DELAGO SERG adds value for exotics.

Selections:
3. Unavoidable (6) – $3.10
7. Canjustify (4) – $2.25
4. Knight Of Rhodes (1) – $4.40

Delago Serg (2) – $13.00

R2

SHOWTIME MAGGIE was impressive last start and looks set to go on with it. VINARI has been consistent and can improve. DAME ANNIE has upside from the yard, while AQUALINA’S STAR can run into the placings.

Selections:

Showtime Maggie (6) – $3.40
Vinari (4) – $5.00
Dame Annie (3) – $7.00
Aqualina’s Star (2) – $34.00

R3

MAYSUN makes debut from a strong stable and looks the one to beat in an open race. OVER THE LIMIT has been around the mark and should be competitive. THE FORCE AWAKENS draws well and can figure, while SORENTINA has claims.

Selections:
10. Maysun (6) – $7.00

Over The Limit (5) – $5.50
The Force Awakens (1) – $8.00
Sorentina (9) – $6.50

R4

WAVE DANCER has been knocking on the door and looks a key chance again. HELIGAN can bounce back from last run. MARCHON drops in class and is a danger, while STRIKE A POSE can improve.

Selections:
11. Wave Dancer (2) – $7.50
3. Heligan (1) – $13.00
5. Marchon (5) – $1.45
7. Strike A Pose (6) – $9.00

R5

VIIPURI looks the standout after scratchings and brings solid recent form. PINK LAMBORGHINI resumes off a strong win and can challenge.

Selections:
4. Viipuri (5) – $2.05
6. Pink Lamborghini (1) – $3.25

R6

THE STARS ALIGN comes off a win and looks well placed to go back-to-back. GUNFIGHTER ROAD has impressed early in career and can feature. MEAN AS rises in trip but has upside, while FREDDY’S SHOCK can improve.

Selections:

The Stars Align (7) – $2.30
Gunfighter Road (8) – $8.00
Mean As (9) – $6.50
Freddy’s Shock (4) – $18.00

R7

ONEFORIAN has been in strong form and looks the runner to beat. HELL OF A FOX is racing well and should be competitive. BURGUNDY GIRL can run into the placings, while ASTUNNER is chasing four straight and must be respected.

Selections:
10. Oneforian (3) – $6.00
8. Hell Of A Fox (6) – $3.20
4. Burgundy Girl (2) – $11.00
3. Astunner (13) – $10.00

R8

VERY SIRIUS broke through last start and can go on with it. MONTE CRUISE comes from a strong camp and can feature. XSPIRITOUS is in form and remains a chance.

Selections:
10. Very Sirius (3) – $5.50
3. Monte Cruise (9) – $9.00
5. Xspiritous (4) – $7.00