Riccarton Park Tips & Preview | Saturday 21 March

Indie Ardie (#4) is an honest mare who has come a long way in a short time since breaking her maiden at Cromwell in November. She was last seen running a solid 4th in the Dunedin Gold Cup where she fought on well to the line. The rise to 2600m is a slight query, but she drops back to R75 company and benefits from Jack Taplin’s claim. From her draw she should settle back and be given every opportunity to run out the trip. On current form she looks a leading contender.

Moon Goddess (#6) was fair last start at Ashburton when finishing 6th after making her run wide from the back, struggling to make up ground on the leaders. She looks better suited back on firmer footing here and should get a more economical run tracking the likes of Cool Aza Rene and Cashla Bay early. In what is a very even field, she looks over the odds at the double figure quote.

Witz End (#1) comes here off a solid 5th in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA, closing off well from midfield. The drop back to 1400m looks ideal given he typically has struggled a touch beyond 1400m in the past. From the wide draw, Triston Moodley should hopefully look to be positive early in a race lacking obvious speed outside of Toa Haka. He shapes as the one to beat.

Baltic Boom (#4) is a Hanseatic 2yo making his debut and comes into this as the sole debutant in the field. His trials have been sharp, showing good early speed, before not being fully extended on either occasion. From the wide draw he is likely to roll forward and settle near the speed, and a bold showing on debut would not surprise.

Belle Du Monde (#6) has produced two very good efforts this preparation on Heavy tracks that likely haven’t suited. She should now be hitting peak fitness third-up and finally strikes firmer footing. Opie Bosson takes the ride from a handy draw and she should be prominent throughout. This looks her race to lose.

Iron Hawk (#12) ran a strong race for 2nd first-up in his New Zealand debut for the Lance Robinson stable, though he appeared a touch lost in the straight and may not have fully handled the conditions. He gets a better surface here and the addition of blinkers should sharpen him up second-up. Draws wide but retains the services of Tina Comignaghi, where I expect she’ll look to roll up the middle in search of a back to follow across. Can go one better.

Stonybreck (#5) ran an improved race last start when finishing 7th in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA following a below-par resuming run. He should strip fitter again third-up and now draws to settle closer in the run and stepping up in trip. With Opie Bosson aboard from the low draw he should get every chance to run to his best. A strong showing can be expected.

Loose Sally (#6) is a handy mare who comes here off a gallant effort in the ODT Mile when finishing off strongly from the back under the big weight. She is better suited here under SW&P conditions against her own sex, now carrying just 55kg. From the wide draw she will likely settle back but should be able to build momentum down Riccarton’s long roomy straight. At the price she appeals as a genuine each way chance.

Flat Stanley (#8) comes into this off a below-par run of form but looks to get a setup that suits – likely settling back on the fence and getting an economical run off a genuine tempo. He will require luck in the straight, but with Triston Moodley aboard to navigate a path, he looks a worthwhile each-way play in a very open race to close the card.