Riccarton Synthetic Tips & Preview | Thursday 23 July

Warrior Boy (#1) was possibly not suited by the frantic tempo at his first run over ground last start, where he ran on fairly into 2nd despite being beaten 11L by the winner. He maps to settle closer to the speed from the inside gate in a race that looks devoid of early tempo this time, and should get the run he needs from there to be running out the trip strongly here. An improved showing is expected. 

White Palace (#5) was first-up in the South Island for the new stable last start, finishing off strongly from the back to run 5th. She should strip much fitter for the run and looks suited getting out over 1400m off that effort. She gets a significantly positive swing in the barriers here, where she should settle much closer from the inside gate. Looks a key contender if the gaps go her way turning for home. 

Rekindle (#6) has produced better efforts at her past two starts since the blinkers went on two starts back, with the visor blinkers replacing them last time seemingly doing the trick. Her last-start effort here at this course and distance for 2nd rated well enough to suggest she would be winning a race of this strength with a repeat effort. She maps to get back from the wide draw in what looks a race with an even tempo, and can be finishing over the top of these late. 

Ogun (#1) was getting home well enough from the back last start into 6th. Matt Cartwright now jumping aboard is a big positive for his chances, and he maps to get back again from his wider draw in what looks like a genuinely run 1200m. Looks to find a soft maiden field and should be finishing off strongly again here. 

Boss ‘N’ Highheels (#1) was ridden positively here last start in a small field and while the race was only run at a pedestrian tempo, she didn’t round off her race as strongly as she can. She is best ridden with cover and maps to get just that from the inside gate. She is clearly the highest rated horse in the field and has to carry weight as a result, though that is somewhat offset by Sima Mxothwa’s 3kg claim. Should take plenty of beating in this sort of field if she can find the run in transit that she desires. 

Russian Rosette (#4) looks to be running back into some form at her past two starts since getting back on to her preferred synthetic footing, last seen finishing off fairly well for 5th in a stronger field than what she meets here. She now gets Matt Cartwright aboard from a favourable draw, where she should be able to position midfield with cover throughout. Expect her to take some beating in this R60 lineup. 

Pax Mundi (#5) was six weeks between runs heading into her last-start effort here, where she looked to get her chance in the trail but weakened out late. She should be better for the run heading here on the two-week turnaround and while the step up to 1600m is a slight query, she looks the likely leader in a race that appears devoid of early pressure. If she can reproduce the effort that saw her winning two starts back here, she should be right in the thick of it in what looks a very even field. 

Roca Mile (#1) comes here in a rich vein of form, last seen finishing a very narrow 2nd at Ashburton earlier this month. He should be suited fine by the switch back to the synthetic surface, having won here at this course and distance three starts back. Expect him to settle ahead of midfield with cover if ridden positively early in a race that doesn’t have an abundance of early pressure. Looks the one to beat in an even field. 

Red Label (#7) found the trail from a middle draw last start but was held up at a crucial stage before only battling late into 4th over 1600m. She now draws the inside gate and should again find a trailing position, while Masa Hashizume jumping aboard is also a big positive. Coming back to 1400m should also be ideal going off that last-start effort. Looks the one to beat if that expected map eventuates for her here.