Riccarton Park Tips & Preview | Saturday 29 August

Rockman (#3) ran a huge race for 3rd here last start, where he wasn’t flash away, had to work early to find a handy position, and then found a second wind late in the home straight after appearing to be beaten. He comes here on the fresh side four weeks between runs, so the slight drop back in trip to 1400m shouldn’t pose too many concerns. With an even getaway from the inside gate, he should be able to hold a handy position again without being required to work as hard this time. Will be stronger to the line than many of these in what could be testing conditions. 

Bellish Boy (#1) resumes here now in Te Akau’s South Island barn, having last been sighted finishing 4th at Pukekohe back in March. He has trialled very well ahead of his resumption, suggesting he is ready to go for this first-up assignment. Michael McNab aboard is a big plus and he should be positioned out in the best part of the track from the wide draw down the chute. Not a strong maiden and he should be winning if he copes with the track. 

Cool Aza Rene (#4) resumes here, last sighted finishing 4th in the Gore Guineas back in April. She has had the benefit of a recent trial earlier this month to ready her for this, where she was only fair to the line under light riding. She looks well drawn out wide from the chute start at Riccarton, where Michael McNab should have her situated in the best part of the track. She handled Heavy tracks when exposed to them as a 2yo and can go close if she copes with it here. 

Niccita (#10) is a 3yo Nicconi filly trekking south to make her debut for the Pam Gerard stable. She has had only the one trial earlier this month to prepare, but looked very good through the line on a Heavy track that day, responding instantly when asked. She draws a nice gate for her debut and gets the services of one of the country’s leading riders in Matt Cartwright. Happy to speculate on her running a cheeky race on debut in what looks an even field of 3yos. 

Mad Max (#2) is an ex-northerner making his South Island debut for the Terri Rae stable, having been purchased off Gavelhouse back in April. He was last seen finishing 8th at Ellerslie back in April, where he wasn’t beaten far in a stronger R65 than he meets here. He has trialled up very nicely ahead of his resuming run and gets the services of Michael McNab from a low draw. Expect him to settle off the speed and look to finish over the top late. 

Trobriand (#4) resumes here, last seen finishing a narrow 2nd at Ashburton back in April. He has had the one trial to prepare for his return, where he was finding the line well under his own steam behind race rival Moving Melody. Although 1000m is likely short of his best trip, the possibly testing nature of the track may bring him into play. Expect Samantha Collett to settle him off the speed from the low draw and save him for one dash at them late. 

Shawshank (#9) kicked back to win here three weeks ago over 1400m, where he looked a sitting duck halfway down the straight but fought back resolutely to win. The way he fought through the line last start suggests he could now be ready for the rise to 1600m, where he again maps to roll forward and sit up on speed throughout from his wide draw. The likelihood of a Heavy track will play into his hands far more than his opposition, as he is rock hard fit and tends to show his best in testing conditions. Can go back-to-back. 

What She Wants (#14) ran a good race for 2nd at Oamaru last start behind race rival Winter Blaze, where she was able to work into the clear turning for home but wasn’t able to go with the winner, with a big gap back to 3rd. Her prior effort here for 2nd over the mile reads well for this, where she was putting in some good late strides down the outer on a Heavy track that day. The wide draw will likely see her settling back in the field, but she should be in the best part of the track come this stage of the day. Can be finishing over the top of these late. 

Move On (#2) comes into this off a good effort for 2nd here over the mile three weeks ago, where she looked to have the race shot to bits when she got into clear air, only to be mowed down in the shadows of the post. She is drawn low again here and I expect Ashlee Strawbridge to ride her neutrally, looking to keep her coiled up as long as possible to run out the 1800m. Only an even tempo on paper should give her every chance to run out the trip, whilst the Heavy track will play into her hands as much as any. Should go close.