Race 4: (R75 1600m)
Tempo: Average
(6) POSSESS was a month between runs and knocked up on Day 1 after setting the pace at 1800m. He backed up quickly into a polytrack run on Wednesday and ran a huge race despite over-racing in the lead and kicked strongly at the turn, run down late. He’s hard & fit and maps for a cheap lead coming backing to the mile, provided he’s come through it ok he has every chance. Giving (10) URASKYFULLASTARS a winning hope at massive odds ($41) started life showing talent when trained by Robbie Patterson. A third-up winner previously, she ran a sound 6th here Day 1 when caught wide throughout at kept coming at the line second-up, expecting further improvement, tough race but not without a hope. Best at odds on the card.
Suggested Bets: POSSESS & URASKYFULLASTARS (Roughie)
Race 7: (OPEN 1800m)
Tempo: Average
Extremely well-weighted and well-placed front-runner dropping back from Group 3 company where he was worth forgiving, worked hard early in a fast run race and stuck on ok in the inferior ground. Excellent record at the track and this distance range and maps to control the speed. Drawn midfield, she has options in the run to find best ground in the straight.
Suggested Bet: RIVIERA REBEL
Race 8: (R65 1800m)
Tempo: Average
A Kevin Myers plunge landed on Day 1 of the Riccarton carnival with (3) VALLEY KING crunched in betting late and flew the gates to land on-speed as opposed to his usual pattern of settling off the pace. From there it was a formality to keep his unbeaten record (3/3) at Riccarton Park intact. Same grade against same key chances, he rises 2.5kg in weight going to 1800m, without a fast tempo expected one would assume similar tactics, watch for any betting drift, the one to beat. (8) PRETTY FLY can take the front with the in-form apprentice Ashlee Strawbridge claiming 3kg. Responded strongly to a challenge in the straight at Wingatui with blinkers on and fought the 2nd horse to the line, she represents value in the market as a Top 3 chance.
Suggested Bets: VALLEY KING & PRETTY FLY (Value)
Race 10: (R75 1200m)
Tempo: Above Average
Speed is genuine with key runners drawn wide, (11) HONOR THE NAME, (7) MONTERO and (12) SO BRASSY all going forward. Back in midfield is the improving (5) GUZZLER, the best on the card. A highly-talented gelding early in his career, now putting it all together as a lightly tried 7YO gelding and reaping the rewards this campaign. Soft in betting on Day 1 of the carnival, he produced a good finish to score, settling rearwards in a beautiful rhythm he let down strongly from the 600m, with more speed anticipated here his winning chances only increase.
Suggested Bet: GUZZLER (Best)
