Riccarton Synthetic Tips & Preview | Wednesday 26 August

Rufus (#1) has seemingly gotten a bit better with every run since joining Malcolm Price’s stable in the South Island, culminating in a last-start 4th over 1600m here three weeks ago. Going off how he has been grinding home over 1600m at his past couple of runs, the rise to 2200m may now be what he is after. Expect him to settle back in the field from his wider draw in an evenly run race, looking to finish over the top of these late.

Steezy (#2) resumes here for Andrew Carston, last seen finishing 5th in the Gore Guineas back in April. She has had the benefit of a recent trial earlier this month, where she led and kicked on strongly to win under very little urging. She gets a great barrier for her resumption and shouldn’t be settling far from the speed from the inside gate. The only query is that she is untried on the synthetic, but is trained here so will likely have been exposed to the surface at home.

Cocomora (#4) resumed with a moderate effort for 4th here last week, going under as a very short-priced favourite. She was surprisingly ridden with very little early intent that day and I’d expect that to change here with a significant swing in the barriers and now stepping up over the mile. She maps to follow the likely leaders in Noivern and Loose Knickers throughout from her inside gate, which should afford her every chance. She also looked to trial much better than early favourite Zambrosia in their recent meeting at the trials earlier this month. Happy to give her another chance at the price. 

Call To Arms (#1) ran a good race for 2nd here last start at this track and trip, where he raced a touch keenly outside the leader but went under as a short-priced favourite. He heads here third-up and looks to find a comparable maiden field on paper. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him ridden a touch more neutrally this time around in order to get him to settle in the run, in a race that does look to have a genuine tempo drawn underneath. He looks nicely placed down in the weights carrying just 55.5kg after Sima Mxothwa’s claim. Hard to beat. 

Cape Horn (#1) comes here off an improved effort for 2nd in this grade at this course and distance last start, where he loomed up from midfield to win before being grabbed late in the piece. He maps to get back in this small field from his middle draw off what will hopefully be an even tempo set out in front. Jack Taplin’s 2kg claim aids his chances and he would likely only need to repeat that last-start effort to be winning this. Should be going one better as long as they don’t walk in front. 

Sarissa (#7) comes here on the short turnaround from the meeting here last week, where she was finishing off fairly well from the back into 5th over 1600m. She rises in trip to 2200m, which shouldn’t be an issue as she ran a great race for 2nd behind race rival Roca Mile at her only go at this course and distance. She maps to settle closer from the low draw in what will likely only be an evenly run race at best on paper. Looks to find the right race to get another win on the board. 

Rollins (#1) comes here third-up this campaign, last seen finishing 4th here over 1400m three weeks ago. He showed very good improvement between his first two starts this campaign and that last-start effort should only have brought him on again heading here. As a horse wanting closer to 2000m, the rise to a mile here will be a welcomed step up in trip. Expect him to settle back of midfield with cover and look to finish over the top of these late. Hard to beat.