Australian Spot Plays for Canterbury on May 26

It's been an interesting and challenging exercise getting involved with Australian racing (Sydney specifically) on a weekly basis the last couple of months. But as their season winds down and racing in England belatedly commences next week, we look forward to shifting our foreign emphasis to the mother country of the Thoroughbred. The major stakes action both there and in Ireland will be coming fast and furious in June and July as everyone attempts to play catch-up with the calendar.

Continue following and playing along on racing worldwide at TwinSpires.com.

Course conditions at Canterbury ("Australia C") have unfortunately deteriorated for Tuesday night's (U.S. time) program, with the course listed as "Heavy 9" at this writing. First post is 10:50 p.m. ET and hoping we end our virtual excursion to Oz on a high note with these spot plays.

Race 3

#8 VIENNA RAIN (11-1) hasn't been out since November when overmatched against stakes company during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington. Raced wide throughout that day, but is back sprinting here and rallied nicely to miss by less than a length in his debut last September over this track. Should be able to save ground from barrier 3.

Appears plenty fast enough, the only hurdles being the layoff and course condition, which will presumably be tiring for those attempting to make all.

Race 4

With her speed and recent form, likely favorite #2 Maui Girl clearly the one to beat. #3 WHISKEY SHOOTER (18-1), however, has some early foot as well and perhaps can work out a favorable stalking trip outside the favorite. If Maui Girl finds the conditions too testing, Whiskey Shooter could get the first shot at wearing her down.

Although a feast-or-famine type, Whiskey Shooter has win over the track from two outings, and can progress off a wide trip two weeks ago in her first outing since New Year's Day. Won second up at Rosehill in December.