Riccarton Race 1
15 Malacca Bay
Malacca Bay would be on the quick back-up if she were to line up in this, after running an okay 4th here on Wednesday. I thought she fought on gamely in the straight despite being clearly headed at the top of the straight. She'll only be aided by any rain arriving in Christchurch and will be rock hard fit after Wednesday's effort. The early push from $15 into $6 is a good lead from this stable, strong chance if she lines up.
Riccarton Race 2
8 Sheaf
I found this a very tricky race to assess,. Sheaf is on the quick back-up from Saturday where she was very good coming from the back of the field to run 5th against the pattern on the day. The step up in trip shouldn't be too much of a concern if she is ridden cold and saved for one run at them late. Not a high confidence betting race but Sheaf does look the one to beat for mine.
Riccarton Race 3
11 Texas Dolly
Tip of The Day
Texas Dolly was backed as if unbeatable last start and in fairness she arguably was a certainty beaten in that race. She draws a nice low barrier (2) for this and Michael McNab stays in the saddle. Simply put, if she gets even luck in running, she will prove awfully hard to beat in this. I thought she was a great bet at the $2.60 available at publish, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see her start odds on.
Riccarton Race 4
7 Epee Beel
Epee Beel opened up at $19 for this and that was rightfully snapped up, where she now sits at $11 in the market. She likely gets the sting out of the ground on Saturday and with Matt Cartwright riding from a low draw on the minimum, she should get every conceivable chance to find her best. She looks a great each way play for mine at the price.
Riccarton Race 5
5 The Scunner
The Scunner is a lightly tried 5yo gelding having only had the four career starts to date. He won a trial nicely in October, which should have him in good order for this first-up assignment. He gets a low draw (2), Sam Spratt in the saddle and maps to sit just off what should be a genuine tempo. He looks the clear on top pick in what only looks a moderate R65 contest.
Riccarton Race 6
1 Alabama Lass
Alabama Lass has been a winning machine this campaign and has been rating exceptionally in every performance as a result. The step-up to 1600m may look a slight query after how she wobbled over 1400m last start, however, I don't think Ken & Bev Kelso would risk travelling her down if they weren't confident she would run the 1600m out. She'll likely look to find the front and dictate terms from there under Sam Spratt. She is a special talent and will prove hard to beat again.
Riccarton Race 7
3 Platinum Attack
Platinum Attack comes out of the Pegasus Stakes last start, where he got back and found the line very well in a race dominated by those up on speed. He now drops back into R75 company where if he handles the back-up from Wednesday and is able to land somewhat closer from the middle draw (8), I thought he would take all sorts of beating in this.
Riccarton Race 8
17 Platinum Attack
I've tipped Platinum Attack in R7 and will be happy to be with him wherever connections elect to line him up. He maps to get a great run across the field early in this, with South Of Houston drawn directly to his inside. He hit the line well in the Pegasus Stakes, in a race which didn't suit those trying to make ground from back in the field. He's got untapped ability and it wouldn't be surprising to see him turn the tables on many in this.
Riccarton Race 9
11 Jetalal
Jetalal was a massive effort behind The Entertainer last start, where she made up stacks of ground from last. While she has drawn wide (16) and will likely end up going back again, the step up to 2000m should be right up her alley. If she can get some cover and blend into the race just before they turn for home, she should be right in this. Looks the one to beat in a very open race.
Riccarton Race 10
7 Beavertown Boy
Beavertown Boy's run for 2nd behind Mehzebeen last Saturday in the Metropolitan Trophy couldn't have been a much more ideal NZ Cup trial. He got back in a race run at an even tempo and was the only runner who looked to be savaging the line at the end of 2600m. He gets a nice low draw (3) to work with, which should see him settle midfield close to the fence and doing very little work in the run as a result. He's on top for me in what is a very competitive and even edition of the NZ Cup.
Riccarton Race 11
14 Family Ties
Family Ties won well at Ashburton and beat home a smart enough horse in the form of Spot On Time. She now gets the services of Michael McNab for this second-up assignment and draws to get a quiet run in transit throughout. I'd happily side with her on an each way basis over others at the top of the market who will be relying on plenty of luck from their respective wide draws.