Riccarton Park Race 1
8 Helldancer
Helldancer (#8) resumes after being last seen in May on a Heavy10 that clearly didn't suit. Her sole career win came over this very track and trip last year when Craig Grylls was also aboard, and she again draws to get every favour in the run. She's shown she can sprint well fresh when conditions suit, and if she reproduces her best form from last season, she'll be right in the finish.
Riccarton Park Race 2
11 Rosso
Rosso (#11) was below par here last weekend, though the drop back to 2000m may have been his undoing. He now steps back up to 2600m, which looks ideal, and he maps to settle closer in the run than last start. The engagement of Daniel Stackhouse is a major plus. He can bounce straight back to winning form in a race that's well within reach.
Riccarton Park Race 3
5 Belardo Ace
Belardo Ace (#5) produced an eye-catching run first-up at Wingatui, coming from well back to finish a close-up 4th. He should strip fitter for that outing and looks ideally suited staying at 1400m on the big Riccarton track. Expect him to be finishing strongly over the final stages again here.
Riccarton Park Race 4
1 Airpark Hustler
Airpark Hustler (#1) wasn't far away here last start, finding the line strongly for 3rd after getting shuffled back early. He draws to get a soft run and gets the services of Daniel Stackhouse. Expecting he may be looking to find an early trail and look to pounce in the straight.
Riccarton Park Race 5
9 Contemplation Bay
TIP OF THE DAY
Contemplation Bay (#9) was just okay in the Canterbury Breeders last weekend when forced to make her run out wide from the back. She draws much kinder this time, which should see her settle handier in the run. Expecting sharp improvement here.
Riccarton Park Race 6
5 Platinum Attack
Platinum Attack (#5) returned in style last weekend, dominating his rivals when coming from midfield to score with authority. He now steps to 1200m, which looks an ideal progression, and from his handy draw he should enjoy a similar run in transit. If he can repeat that first-up effort, he'll be awfully hard to beat again.
Riccarton Park Race 7
4 He's Lucid
He's Lucid (#4) resumes and has trialled well in readiness for his return. He's drawn wide, but that may not be a negative by this stage of the day. Expect him to get back with cover and be saved for one run down the outside. If the race sets up for back-markers, he's a genuine blowout chance at odds.
Riccarton Park Race 8
12 Tajana
Tajana (#12) ran an excellent race in the Soliloquy Stakes last start, finishing 3rd after getting a long way off the leaders entering the straight. She draws well here to secure an economical run off the speed, and with a genuine early tempo expected, she'll be primed to launch late. With Craig Grylls aboard, she looks the one to beat in this year's Gr.1 2000 Guineas.
Riccarton Park Race 9
5 Miss Fireball
Miss Fireball (#5) turned in a solid effort last weekend, where she raced wide but still fought gamely to the line for 2nd. She now draws ideally to obtain a soft run off the speed and should get her chance to see out the 2000m. With even luck in running, she can go one better.
Riccarton Park Race 10
13 Titicaca
Titicaca (#13) was doing his best work late here last weekend behind Just Charlie and looks well placed to go one better. From a low draw, he'll get every chance to get into a rhythm back of midfield on the fence. Expect him to be coming home strongly late if they overdo it in front.
Riccarton Park Race 11
15 Maybe Diva
Maybe Diva (#15) was enormous here last weekend, storming home from last to grab 2nd. The step up to a mile looks ideal at this stage of her prep, and she may be able to settle a touch closer from her favourable draw. If she gets clear galloping room early in the straight, she's more than capable of finishing over the top of them.
