Riccarton stages a competitive nine-race card this Saturday with very even fields across the board. With a clear forecast leading into raceday, there’s a chance the track could improve towards a Heavy8/Heavy9 come Raceday.
Track: Heavy10 (possible upgrade)
Rail: Out 6m (to the 1000m), out 9m remainder
Tips for each of the nine races below:
Maybe Diva (#8) makes her South Island debut for Andrew Carston, last seen finishing well for 5th at Ellerslie back in May. Her subsequent trial since relocating south was sharp enough, with her best work coming late in the piece. She strikes a winnable maiden here and looks a key chance fresh.
Hooray For Henry (#1) resumes, having last been sighted finishing 2nd here in April. A recent trial win suggests he’s ready to go first-up, and Opie Bosson rides from a handy draw. He looks set to get every chance in running and should be very competitive fresh.
Cool Aza Rene (#1) was last seen winning here in June, defeating a dual sub winner. She brings residual race fitness into this and trialled well in the lead-up. Clearly one of the leading chances again.
Candle (#4) has won her last two starts stylishly, utilising her turn of foot from the back of the field on both occasions. She maps to get a very similar run from the wide gate in what looks a strongly run race. Expect her to be produced down the outer again and look to repeat the dose for the third start running.
Mogul (#9) resumes, having last raced here in March when finishing 7th. His recent trial suggested he’s come back in good order, finding the line strongly from the back. From a low draw under Courtney Barnes, he should secure a soft run and can produce a bold showing fresh.
Irish Miss (#6) was luckless last start, copping a severe check at the top of the straight which put pay to her chances. She gets in light after the apprentice claim, and this looks a suitable race to make amends. Forgive the last run, she can bounce back.
Bella Luce (#4) didn’t finish off her race last start after doing work early to hold a forward position from the inside gate. From another handy draw, she may be ridden more conservatively this time to see her run out the 1800m. Capable of sharp improvement.
King Of The Castle (#6) was well beaten in the Winter Cup last time but his prior run was a much better guide for this. Although he’s yet to run his best since returning from Australia, he continues to be supported strongly in the market each start. At the price, he looks worth another chance here in a very even affair.
Show Pony (#2) resumes as a 4yo after contesting some of the better South Island 3yo races last season. He strikes a fairly moderate R65 field first-up, and while the condition of the track late in the day is a query, his raw ability could just be enough to see him winning.