Riccarton Race 1
5 Tommy Shelby
Tip of The Day
Eye-catching effort first-up at Oamaru, where he sailed down the outer to grab 3rd late. His debut effort at Riccarton last campaign is also a great pointer for this, while he ran 6th that day, I thought the run had plenty of merit against the race pattern. Should lob a great spot from gate one, looks the horse to beat.

Riccarton Race 2
6 Nuncio
Lightly tried 4yo with upside. Nuncio's best career figures have come when first-up off a break and he is coming into this 2 months between runs. He has also shown that he can sprint strongly off a strong tempo, which is exactly what he will get over the 1000m here.

Riccarton Race 3
2 Third Decree
Talented mare who has won 7 of her 15 starts to date. I'd expect given that she's first-up and lugging 59.5kg, Kylie Williams may elect to take hold early and look for a tow into this race. If she can get the right run in transit she can certainly win this.

Riccarton Race 4
5 The Victress
I thought she might be able to find a handy position on the fence from the low gate (4), giving her every chance to go well here. She is first-up as a 3yo and showed promise in the early stages of her 2yo season. Wiremu Pinn rode in her latest trial and sticks for this.

Riccarton Race 5
5 El Viento
Northerner who is first-up in the South Island. The wide gate (14) isn't as bad as it looks on paper given the Riccarton 1200m is just a slight dog leg turn. The tempo in the race looks genuine, if he can find a back to follow and be saved for one run at them he has the turn of foot to go on by this field.

Riccarton Race 6
2 Proserve
Enigmatic horse who was just pipped in the shadows last start on the Riccarton Synthetic. He races much better when he can find the fence, which he should be able to find here from the low draw (2). Sam Weatherley takes the reins for this, looks a great each way prospect.

Riccarton Race 7
5 Iffin Doubt Dance
Ex-Northerner who ran a very good race on the Heavy10 track when 2nd over the 1400m here last start. The step up to 1800m third-up looks an ideal progression. This field doesn't look all that strong, should be her race to lose.

Riccarton Race 8
5 Jon Ol Rocco
The drying track will favour Jon Ol Rocco over many other key chances in this. He won well here first-up this time last year. Kylie Williams riding from the low gate (3) are both bigt ticks. As long as the track is no worse than a Soft6 come Saturday, he is the horse to beat for mine.

Riccarton Race 9
1 Kabugee
Nothing went right for him at Oamaru last start, he was slowly away and never really got an opportunity to balance up in the straight. I don't see the firmer track as a negative for him here. Wiremu Pinn riding from a low gate (2) should see him find a much handier position should he not repeat his awkward getaway from last start.