Riccarton Synthetic Tips & Preview | Thursday 25 June

Enchanted Delight (#3) resumes here, last sighted finishing down the track at Kurow where she pulled up with excuses that day. She heads here without a trial under her belt but has typically performed well fresh in the past. Her career best run came at this course/distance, where she surged home from the back of the field for 2nd. She should appreciate the small field and looks capable of running well in a fresh state. 

La Bella Nera (#2) ran a good race for 4th first-up at Oamaru, where she got back in the small field and was making up good ground late. She should be better for the run heading here and maps to possibly lead this small field if ridden positively, in what looks a race lacking tempo. Her form on the polytrack is hit and miss, but if she can dictate affairs out in front under Tina Comignaghi as expected, she could give a big sight. 

Mr Bully Tee (#2) didn’t fire last start here on the turf, where he was held up early in the straight but didn’t let down once clear, finishing a distant 8th. He comes here on the quick back-up and draws to follow the likely leader Peecee Pussycat throughout. Tina Comignaghi jumping aboard is a positive and he should get his chance to run an improved race in this small field. Capable of better and should get his chance to show it. 

Fah Rong (#1) produced one of his best efforts yet in his 22-start career when finishing off strongly for 2nd here over 1400m last start. He looks to find a comparable maiden on paper and should be suited by the rise to 1600m. He maps to get a cart forward from Warrior Boy drawn underneath, which should give Tina Comignaghi every chance to find a position not far from the speed early. Looks hard to beat if he runs up to that last-start 2nd. 

Russian Blues (#5) arguably should have won here last start, where she was poking through with a likely looking bid on two occasions in the straight before being shut out both times, finishing 3rd right on the heels of the winner. She maps to find a very similar run in transit from the handy draw and this race doesn’t look any tougher on paper. The way she has been closing off over 1200m suggests the rise to 1400m here shouldn’t pose any concerns. The one to beat with even luck in running. 

Red Star Soot (#6) caught the eye here last start when finishing off from the back into 8th, where he was held up early in the straight before sprinting well once clear. He gets a big swing in barriers for this, which should see him able to position at least a couple of pairs closer to the speed. The blinkers go on and he gets a senior rider aboard for this assignment. Should be thereabouts with clear galloping room. 

New Beginning (#5) comes here third-up, last seen finishing 3rd here over 1600m where she finished off fairly well in the straight after being held up at a crucial stage early in the straight. She should strip fitter again heading here and the step up to 2200m looks okay in what should be a moderately run affair. She maps to settle not far from the speed from the low draw, where she should be afforded every chance. A very winnable race for her. 

Lucky Ferrando (#1) comes into this off a last start 10th at Oamaru, where he had to burn early to find a forward position and didn’t finish his race off thereafter. He gets his best barrier draw in some time and maps to settle up near the speed in what looks an even tempo on paper. Tina Comignaghi jumping back aboard and the switch back to the polytrack both look positives for his chances also. Shapes as the one to beat.