Early mail and blackbook update for racing on December 31.

b>CANTERBURY December 31

RACE 5 (6) LIAPARI: Has had a typical Chris Waller prep for a race of this nature with an easy fourth in a Rosehill trial on December 20 against quality opponents just what he needed to fit him for the 1900m after a break of five weeks since his last race. He’s a Canterbury winner and the 3kg claim for the talented Kiwi apprentice Lee Magorian gives him an edge over his higher weighted rivals in a very even field.

RACE 8 (15) MEDITERRANEAN: He’s only got a maiden win on the board - significantly it was this track – but there is no doubt this 3YO is a class act and being gelded during his latest spell should be the making of him. Super effort to win his most recent trial at Randwick and expect this race to top him off nicely for the Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast in two weeks.

RACE 9 (13) RAIMENT: This race sets up beautifully for this promising filly after some important early scratchings, giving her the perfect opportunity to take another step up the ladder from her soft first-up win over 1250m at this course on December 16. All the speed is drawn to her outside and expect Blake Shinn to let her balance up behind the leaders and wait for the last crack.

BLACKBOOK UPDATE

Eligible Blackbook Runners – December 30/31; January 2

CRANBOURNE FRIDAY: Ridgway (R2)

CANTERBURY SATURDAY: Onemorezeta (R6); Duca Valentinois (R6); Disgraceful (R8); Secret Trail (R9);

MOONEE VALLEY SATURDAY: Armada (R6); Anatola (R7)

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Candika (R4); Ocean Embers (R8)

RANDWICK MONDAY: Redouble (R6)

Selected Horses from December 24/26 (Rosehill/Randwick/Sandown/Caulfield/Doomben)

IHARLEM LADY: Has come up well. Best against own sex.

OFF THE RAILS: Excellent return. Obvious needs more ground.

ESTEBAN: Big things ahead for this staying talent.

HAVASAY: Ready to win in his right class.

PANNO ROSSO: Ready for something longer. Eagle Farm is his track.

QUEEN MISTY: Faced a quick jump in distance. Will be better for it.

SIR BACCHUS: Worked home in his usual style. Don’t drop off him.

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS Artistry; Circular; Malaguerra; Morton’s Fork; Too Good To Refuse; Loyalty Man; Redoutable Heart; High Church.

CURRENT BLACKBOOK HORSES: Ace High; Alegria; Alucinari; Amovatio; Anatola; Another Bullseye; Archean; Armada’Ascot Red; Astronomos; Awoke; Bachman; Barood; Battlecamp; Better Not Blue; Cab Fair; Candika; Chance To Dance; Concealer; Danjeu; Dawnie Perfect; Delectation; De Little Engine; Disgraceful; Divan; Duca Valentinois; Esteban; Foundry; Fromparis Withlove; Gallante; God’s In Him; Groundbreak; Hair Trigger; Hand From Above; Happy Hannah; Harlem Lady; Havasay; Hazzabeel; Heartlings; Hipparchus; His Majesty; Inference; In Vienna; Jeanneau; Jericho; Kanga’s Eye; Lady Jivago; La Luna Rossa; Lessyd; Magic Artist; Magic Hurricane; Manageress; Man Of Choice; Master Of Arts; Meri Rani; Most Exalted; My Bantry Bay; My Sister Lil; Nemrud; Nieta; Oak Door; Ocean Embers; Off The Rails; O’Reilly Cyrus; Old Habits; Omei Sword; Onemorezeta; Pajaro; Panno Rosso; Petition; Politeness; Pure Pride; Queen Misty; Redouble; Reflectivity; Reldas; Ridgway; Rock My Lady; Rocket Commander; Role Model; Royal Occasion; Sabor A Triunfo; Scarlet Billows; Secret Trail; Setinum; Sharif; Singing; Sir Bacchus; Slydini; Spieth; Swear; Thermogenic; Tosen Stardom; Unblemished Mark; War Legend; Zanbagh; Zanteca; Zayam; Zourkhan.