Canterbury Racing Tips for New Year's Day, January 1st 2026

We have expert betting tips for racing at Canterbury on New Year’s Day, which includes eight races at the premier meeting.

Punters get good value odds for the New South Wales meeting, and we have betting tips for every race on the card.

Canterbury racing tips

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Race 1. (14:40) Jacquinot First Yearlings Widden Maiden (1200m)

#10 – Yesnova @ $4.80

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Yesnova is closing in on a win after back-to-back placings at Gosford and Hawkesbury, and this isn’t an overly tough field.

The three-year-old gelding by Yes Yes Yes is one of only two runners in the field with a last-start placing to his name, which counts for something.

Dropping to 54.5kg is another positive, so put her on top.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 2. (15:20) Ranvet Maiden (1900m)

#10 – Kumbaya @ $3.90

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Looking to go one better than her last start is Kumbaya, who ran second at Hawkesbury last time out behind Viewpoint.

She wasn’t all that close to the winner, but she should improve with the run under her belt, and she gets the weight advantage.

We’re happy to include her in picks at the current odds.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 3. (16:00) Hyland Race Colours Maiden (1200m)

#1 – Artgirl @ $4.20

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We have backed Artgirl in most of her runs, and although she has been a touch disappointing, she looks like a type who will improve with racing.

The Chris Waller-trained daughter of Flying Artie started her career with two placings before running fourth behind some nice types.

It’s solid enough form for maiden racing, and she is worth backing again.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 4. (16:40) Asahi Super Dry BM64 (1100m)

#9 – Vanlee @ $12.00

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Boasting two second placings from two fresh up starts is Vanlee, who could make a winning return to the races.

The Joe Pride-trained mare has featured in the money in four of her five starts, and although this is a tough field, she can measure up.

She is worth including in horse racing picks at the current odds.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 5. (17:20) The Agency Real Estate BM64 (1550m)

#9 – Monopolistic @ $3.20

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The Chris Waller-trained gelding showed good pace to win on debut at Beaumont, and he is a leading chance to remain unbeaten.

He is bred to be better than average, being by Savabeel, and the China Horse Club doesn’t often have a bad runner at the age-group level.

A betting push on race day would be telling.

Stake: 1.5 Units

Race 6. (18:00) First Hitotsu Yearlings BM72 (1250m)

#8 – Just in Time @ $5.00

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A proven fresh up winner is Just in Time, who owns two wins from three attempts following a spell.

The Jason Deamer-trained mare is a three-time winner overall, and although she has yet to race at Canterbury, she has experience running in the city.

Zac Lloyd is riding well, which adds to our confidence.

Stake: 1 Unit

Race 7. (18:30) Kia Canterbury Sprint (1200m)

#13 – King’s Secret @ $3.80

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King’s Secret is a smart type after beating a good field by 1.8 lengths last start at Randwick, and that’s the best form guide for this race.

The four-year-old son of Shalaa owns five wins and four placings from 10 starts, and he keeps getting in well at the weights with only 53kg.

That makes him awfully tough to beat.

Stake: 2.5 Units

Race 8. (19:00) Tab BM64 (1900m)

#3 – Liberty Park @ $13.00

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There isn’t much covering this field, and we’ve landed on Liberty Park at value odds.

The Waller-trained gelding is a two-time winner from 10 starts, and it was good seeing him back to his best when running third at Canterbury last start.

Natural improvement and a 3kg claimer should take him close in the last race.

Stake: 1 Unit

Editor In Chief

Daryl Curnow

After graduating from the University of Auckland (BA - English), Daryl was thrown into the world of sports and horse racing journalism.

Having worked as a racing journalist for two years, he decided to move into the online world of horse racing and sports writing. After years of honing his craft, Daryl became a professional punter in 2009 - with a focus on horse racing, NRL, AFL, NBA, Rugby, NFL, and US college sports.

Daryl's tips have been featured on various websites around the world before joining the GoBet team. When he's not working, Daryl tries to avoid making bogeys on the golf course.