Riccarton Park Tips & Preview | Saturday 2 May

Kiwi Magic (#6) comes in on the quick back-up and, while he was slow away again last start, he caught the eye late when finally getting into his work over the last 100m. The way he found the line last start suggests the additional 200m here will suit him well. The key to his chances is clearly the start, as repeated slow getaways have cost him recently. Capable of much better and at the price, he appeals as a solid each way chance. 

Jack Crabb (#3) is an ex-Northerner making his South Island debut for Lance Robinson, last seen finishing 6th at Pukekohe. He finds a fairly moderate race for his first run in the South and his recent Northern form stacks up well against this field. Tina Comignaghi taking the ride is a big positive and 2000m on the fresh-side should suit. Looks well placed and can take beating. 

Ifyoustartmeup (#2) was heavily backed here last start over this track and trip and ran accordingly, charging home strongly from well back to finish a close-up 5th despite not having all favours. The map looks similar again, where he should settle near the tail from a wide draw off what looks a genuine tempo. With clear air and a touch of luck, he’ll be flashing home late once more and looks over the odds. 

Texas Dolly (#7) comes off a very good effort in the Listed Great Easter Stakes, where she charged home from the back over 1400m. She maps to get the perfect run here, likely tracking Insatiable from the draw, which looks the ideal horse to follow into the race. With her turn of foot, if she’s within striking distance turning in, she has the class to go straight past these. Hard to beat. 

Zafar (#4) is a 2yo Snitzel colt on debut for Te Akau who has shown enough across three trials to suggest he’s ready to perform on raceday. The booking of Opie Bosson over the stablemate looks a strong lead, and he has shown the gate speed to be prominent early. From there, he should take plenty of catching on debut. 

Capo Dell Impero (#1) caught the eye in the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup last start, finishing off strongly from the back over 2000m. He now steps up in trip and, while it’s his first look beyond 2400m, his prior form over 2400m gives every indication he’ll handle it. Jack Taplin’s 3kg claim is a key advantage and, as the class runner in the field, he looks set to take beating on the quick turnaround. 

Awesome Lineup (#4) made a big impression winning second-up over 1600m here, controlling the race after working forward before kicking clear late. He maps to roll forward again and should be able to dictate terms under Matt Cartwright. The rise to 1800m looks suitable and if he gets a breather mid-race, he’ll be hard to run down. 

Anderson Bridge (#8) has won three of five starts since joining the Kevin and Stephen Gray stable and has made a strong impression in doing so. His last start effort in the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup was only fair, but that was against slightly stronger opposition than he meets here. Back in this grade and on the minimum with Bruno Queiroz aboard, he looks very well placed to bounce back. Clearly the one to beat if he runs to his best. 

Moon Goddess (#11) had little luck last start, working three-wide without cover throughout and sticking on as well as could be expected. She gets a similar draw here but looks better placed back to 1200m with Matt Cartwright aboard. The addition of blinkers is a key gear change and back in R65 company, she shapes as the one to beat. 

Toronto (#4) produced a strong resuming effort over 1000m here, finishing off nicely late into 2nd. He should be improved for that run and comes into this on the short back-up. From the draw, he maps to get a soft run just off the speed with Bruno Queiroz retaining the ride. With natural improvement, he looks the one they’ll have to beat to close the card.