Race 3: (MDN 1400m)
Tempo: Average
(1) CALL TO ARMS is the best of the day on the Riccarton polytrack. A talented horse making his polytrack debut. He was given no winning chance when snagged from a wide draw first-up in a slow race at Oamaru suiting on-speed runners who ran the quinella. Michael McNab can have him sweating on the leader and has the strongest finish to be winning a modest maiden race. The sole leader is (2) GLOBALIST, this horse has been afforded every possible winning chance leading up his past two races but lacks a finish, he’s very one-paced. Jack Taplin’s best hope is to send him at speed and hope he sticks on.
Suggested Bet: CALL TO ARMS (Best)
Race 8: (R65 1600m)
Tempo: Below Average
The speed map is the biggest edge in this field with the majority of runners evenly matched on performance. Giving (10) SARISSA a winning chance at odds if ridden with intent from the wide gate. A good beginner, she can take full of advantage of the lack of speed underneath her and the fitness advantage dropping back from 2000m to the mile. Her best efforts have come at this course and is weighted down on the minimum, rated Top 3 chance in this field and over the odds.
Suggested Bet: SARISSA
Race 9: (SP COND 1200m)
Tempo: Fast
Feature race with good prizemoney. The speed is hot early. (11) HOLDEM and (12) MR FORTRUS will be duelling up front, pressure from (7) GRAEME JOHN and (8) ELUSIVE IMPACT. The map is kind to (8) ELUSIVE IMPACT who was set for this race last year and slow to begin from a wide gate before being revved up to sit wide on-speed and stuck on bravely in the straight. His ratings are as good as any in the field and the rider change is enormous, claiming apprentice Kendra Bakker is replaced by a strong, experienced jockey in Warren Kennedy. From a perfect draw, he rates as an each-way special in the big field.
Suggested Bet: ELUSIVE IMPACT
Race 10: (R65 1200m)
Tempo: Above Average
Two-bet play.
A strong tempo set by (6) DRIFTIN and (7) THE FED EXPRESS, the former is ideally a 1000m horse and a query at the end of 1200m, the latter is first-up on the poly. They draw barriers 1 & 2 respectively. (4) INTO THE WIND may contribute to the speed battle early but she didn’t last start, a convincing all-the-way winner running a solid number first-up. (9) PHAZED is a huge watch first-up. No trial and off the scene for 284 days. Her figures for this class and race are outstanding and has the ideal speed map, if wound up she is the horse to beat. Market best guide with the stable having two runners. (3) CAPTAIN ROY will benefit from the tempo up front and is suited dropping back to 1200m. He travels sweetly on this synthetic track but has been getting too far back in his races. Jack Taplin can smoke up behind the speed and swamp them late.
Suggested Bets: PHAZED & CAPTAIN ROY
