Riccarton Synthetic Tips & Preview | Wednesday 8 July

Warrior Boy (#2) is a 3yo son of War Decree coming here at start number six, having been thereabouts in all four of his runs on this track this campaign. He looked fairly one-paced through the line last start when finishing a close-up 4th here over 1600m, therefore the rise to 2200m may suit. He maps to settle up on speed from the inside gate in a race that doesn’t look to have an abundance of early tempo, which should give him every chance to see out the trip. Many in this have a fair few convictions, happy to be in his corner.

Mr Bully Tee (#3) bounced back to form with an impressive win at this course and distance last start, settling behind the leaders in a moderately run affair before pouncing late to win. He gets a very similar setup here from the low draw, where he should settle handy to the speed in what should again be a moderately run affair given the small field. He loses Tina Comignaghi in the saddle but gets 1kg off his back via Triston Moodley’s claim. Should be going close with a repeat of that last-start effort.

Russian Blues (#5) is a 3yo Russian Revolution filly who has been building nicely through her campaign, culminating in four placings at her past four starts. Her last-start 2nd here at this course and distance was very good, where she raced keenly outside the leader and loomed as the winner halfway down the straight before being swamped late. She maps to settle handy again in this smaller field, where she shouldn’t be more than a pair back from the speed from her low draw. She looks well placed carrying just 54.5kg after Kendra Bakker’s claim. She’s overdue for a maiden win and this looks her best chance yet.

Ogun (#2) is a 3yo son of Alabama Express coming here at just his third start for the Pitmans. He failed to flatter here on the turf last start when finishing a long last, but his effort for 4th on debut here on the polytrack was much more encouraging. He looks suited getting up over 1400m, where he should be allowed to find his feet from the wide draw, mapping to settle back off a strong tempo. A solid each-way chance at the price. 

Boss ‘N’ Highheels (#6) won well here last start in this same grade at this course and distance, capitalising on a soft run just off the speed. She maps to obtain a very similar run here from the wider draw in this small field, where Leah Hemi should be able to float behind the leaders in search of cover early. She looks well suited remaining on the minimum carrying just 54kg again and should take beating with a repeat effort. 

Holdem (#3) heads here off a game 2nd at this course and distance last start, where she settled up on speed and fought on nicely in the straight with a big gap back to 3rd. She looks to get an ideal map on paper here, where she should be able to lead at no more than an even tempo from her inside draw. Should that eventuate, she’ll take all sorts of catching in this. Hard to beat. 

Voguish (#4) is a 3yo Staphanos filly who ran a good race here for 4th in R60 company when not having much luck at a crucial stage early in the straight. She now slides back to maiden company and looks to find a very soft maiden field at that. The concern is where she gets to from the wide draw given the lack of pace on paper, though it may present Kavish Chowdhoory the opportunity to be positive early. Regardless of where she settles, she should take plenty of beating in a maiden of this strength going off her recent figures. 

My Sharona (#4) ran a good race for 2nd at this course and distance last start, where she enjoyed a cosy run throughout just off the speed and finished off well late but came up just short. She maps to enjoy a similar run here in a race that doesn’t look to have an abundance of early pressure, which should afford her every opportunity. She again looks suited with Jack Taplin claiming 2kg, and with a repeat of her last-start effort, she should go very close again here. 

Vivacious (#2) only got home fairly here into 4th last start over 1200m, in what developed into a sit-and-sprint affair. She looks suited stepping back out over 1400m here, and the big key for her is a truly run race, as she typically finds her best when the speed is on and she can roll home strongly late. She maps to get back from the wide draw and should get the tempo she needs to find her best. Looks well over the odds for mine.