Riccarton Race 1
10 Ocean Breeze
Ocean Breeze ran well first-up finding the line strongly for 2nd behind Lone Spirit at Ashburton. The step up to 1600m should be in her favour, while she may be able to hold a handier position from the low gate (2) with Sam Spratt jumping aboard. Open race, although Ocean Breeze looks to have more upside than most in this.
Riccarton Race 2
9 Hereigoagain
Another open race where I thought Hereigoagain was the play on an each way basis. She ran well first-up at Ashburton and maps to get a very similar run here 2nd up from the low draw (3). With only 52.5kg on her back after Roopesh Jaun's claim, she should get every chance to be thereabouts again.
Riccarton Race 3
8 Helldancer
Helldancer is first-up in NZ since coming across from NSW, where she performed well at provincial maiden company without winning. The exposed form and figures of her opponents in this maiden doesn't rate too highly, therefore I'm happy to be with her at the price off her Australian form.
Riccarton Race 4
8 Gemma Fitz
Really keen to be with Gemma Fitz at the early price in this. She comes into this first-up, having last been sighted on the Synthetic in June. She has only 52.5kg on her back after Donovan Cooper's claim and I think she'll skip along in front with the lightweight and prove hard to catch.
Riccarton Race 5
8 The Big Picture
The Big Picture won well last start at Waverley when breaking his maiden in fine fashion. He's a big horse who will appreciate getting to a big wide track at Riccarton. If he can get a nice run with cover from the middle draw (7), I think he has the turn of foot to put this race away.
Riccarton Race 6
12 South Of Houston
South Of Houston is first-up in NZ since coming across from Melbourne, where she was racing at a decent level over there. Her best form in Melbourne came down the straight at Flemington and Sandown, which is comparable to Riccarton in the sense that they're big roomy tracks with long straights. Terri Rae will have her ready to fire as she'll no doubt be looking for black type over the carnival with this mare.
Riccarton Race 7
13 Say Satono
Say Satono maps to get a great run on the fence from the inside gate in this race. Sassman looks the leader from gate 3, while I expect Say Satono will track Tumuch on the fence if they both jump cleanly. Say Satono races best when saved for one run at them, and I think she'll get her chance to do that following Tumuch into the race. Happy to play her on an each way basis in this.
Riccarton Race 8
9 Boomtown Boy
I was with Boomtown Boy last start at Otaki and he didn't look to be striding out to comfortably, possibly due to the Soft7 track that day. He's on the quick back up here and will get a much firmer footing to work with on Saturday. I'm happy to forgive that last start flop and go again at a better price in this.
Riccarton Race 9
9 Chapinteel
Chapinteel hasn't flattered this time in, having progressed quickly through the grades last campaign. She maps to get a nice quiet run on the fence from the low draw (3) under Craig Grylls, where I thought she would get every chance to bounce back.
Riccarton Race 10
8 Love Poem
Tip of The Day
I am leaning towards the filly's formline over the colts & geldings, in the shape of Love Poem here. Her last run at Ellerslie behind Alabama Lass was excellent, where she was strong through the line despite being shuffled back beyond midfield after initially jumping handy to the speed. From the low gate (3), she maps to tag Savaglee throughout and at the price I'd rather be with her around $5.50, than him at $1.55.
Riccarton Race 11
18 The Entertainer
The Entertainer has typically performed best when she has firmer conditions underfoot to work with, which is what she should get on Saturday. She'll likely get back from the wide draw (17) and look to be hitting the line strongly down the outer. Very open race, happy to side with The Entertainer on an each way basis.
