Riccarton hosts a 10-race card this Saturday, now on synthetic surface.
Track: Synthetic
Rail: True
Tips for each of the 10 races below:
Reverberations (#6) rolled forward and controlled things from the front to score last start on a Heavy10, proving too gritty late.
Maps to lead again here in a race lacking early tempo.
The switch to the synthetic shouldn’t harm his chances too much compared to others.
Can give a bold sight at odds.
1 Unit Each Way Reverberations (#6)
Moon Rocket’s (#4) form this prep has been only fair, but crucially he has previous synthetic track experience — a clear advantage over many rivals here.
Drops to 54.5kg after Hayley Hassman’s claim and should box-seat from the low draw.
In a thin contest, he shapes as a strong hope.
2 Units Moon Rocket (#4)
Noivern (#1) is racing in consistent form, finishing in the placings at his past four starts.
Drops back to 1200m but that shouldn’t be an issue.
Likely to press forward from the wide alley and utilise Hayley Hassman’s 4kg claim.
Yet to be tested on synthetic but hard to be with anything to beat him.
1 Unit Noivern (#1)
Bouyant (#6) is yet to fire since winning back in December, but gets back onto the Riccarton synthetic, where his only prior run resulted in a win that rated well.
The wide gate may force their hand to push on, and Nichola Yuen’s 2kg claim is a help.
If he can reproduce anything close to his best, he’s right in this.
1 Unit Bouyant (#6)
Lucy In The Sky (#5) drops sharply in grade after finishing 6th, beaten 2.4L, in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes last time out.
Followed that with a sharp trial win.
She looks to possess a clear class edge on these and should use her natural speed to roll forward and take plenty of running down.
The standout.
3 Units Lucy In The Sky (#5)
Alminette (#11) has produced two good runs back from a break and is proven on the synthetic.
Likely to settle off them from the wide draw and be saved for one crack late.
Should get the right race shape with speed up front and looks a live chance with even luck in running from the draw.
1 Unit Alminette (#11)
Star Ballot (#6) has been knocking on the door of another win after a string of honest efforts over staying trips.
Loves a grind and handles synthetic well, which counts for plenty here.
Will settle back and work home strongly as usual.
Another honest showing expected.
1 Unit Star Ballot (#6)
Key tick here is Tumuch’s (#3) synthetic record — the only runner in the field with a win on this surface and one of just two exposed to it at all on raceday.
Will likely settle midfield and be ridden quietly, but if the gaps present, he’s got the turn of foot to be a serious factor late.
2 Units Tumuch (#3)
Bellutta (#16) had excuses when failing last start but her first-up run prior was full of merit.
One-from-one on the Riccarton synthetic and maps for a much softer run from a low draw this time around.
She’s flying under the radar and looks well over the odds for mine.
1 Unit Bellutta (#16)
California Gold (#1) continues to race consistently since breaking maiden status four back and has handled synthetic going okay.
Toni Davies should be positive early from the middle draw with the short run into the first bend and can look to dictate.
Well-placed to give this a big shake in the last of the day.
1 Unit California Gold (#1)