Riccarton Synthetic Tips & Preview | Wednesday 5 August

Warrior Boy (#1) finished a close-up 2nd at this track and trip last start, where he couldn’t quite reel in the winner after sitting in a soft trailing position throughout. He finds himself in a very winnable maiden assignment here and maps to land up on speed throughout from his low draw in this small field. Michael McNab taking over the riding duties only aids his chances further. Should be winning this. 

Ogun (#1) ran an improved race for 3rd here last start, where he was allowed to stride forward mid-race when the pace slackened, then finishing off hard late after wobbling around the bend. He maps to get back in the field from his wider draw in what should be a genuinely run race, which should set up nicely for him to be finishing off over the top late. He finds himself in what looks a very winnable maiden here and looks the one they have to beat if he puts it all together. 

Call To Arms (#1) is a lightly tried 5yo gelding coming here at start number six for Andrew Carston. He’s clearly still got his quirks but looks to be a horse getting better with more and more experience under his belt. He resumed with a pleasing effort for 4th on a Heavy track at Oamaru, where he got back and was finding the line strongly late. His first go on the polytrack here is a slight query, however he is trained locally and should have been exposed to it at home. Expect he can finish over the top of these late if he cops the track. 

Noivern (#2) was a well-backed favourite here last start and didn’t quite run up to market expectations after being snagged back to last early, finishing off fairly for 4th thereafter. He now draws a much better gate for this and the booking of Jasmine Fawcett will hopefully see him put up on speed from the outset this time. Strikes a winnable maiden and should take plenty of catching if he can find the front early. 

Devil In Disguise (#3) was last seen finishing 6th last start – an effort that was much better than it appeared. He had to work early from a wide draw to find the front that day, and as soon as he put the brakes on he was attacked and found himself shuffled back to midfield turning for home. Although this is an amateur riders race, Alyssa Paris has had the benefit of being aboard him multiple times in the past and knows him as well as any. Should be able to settle in the first half from his low draw and be given every chance to run well here. 

Proserve (#1) was the beneficiary of a very smart ride from Jack Taplin here last start, where a well-timed mid-race move saw him find the front and stretch away for a big win thereafter. This race looks to set up very similarly for him and Taplin again, with no obvious speed engaged, which may see a repeat of the successful tactics from last start. Likely only needs to reproduce that effort to be taking plenty of beating again here. Can go back-to-back. 

Thats Charming (#4) dropped back into R60 company here over 1200m last start and ran a much improved race for 3rd accordingly, finishing off well from the back. He looks suited remaining in this company and the additional 200m here should suit. Michael McNab takes the reins from a low barrier, where he should be able to position a couple of pairs handier, and may just be relying on the gaps to go his way late. Can run another competitive race here. 

Sarissa (#10) comes here fresh, last seen disappointing at Riccarton back in June where she may have just found a truly run 2000m a bridge too far. The drop back to the mile looks better suited and the return to the polytrack should help her also. The blinkers go back on and she looks well placed carrying just 54kg after Jack Taplin’s claim. With some luck early from the wide alley, she can be right in the thick of it in this. 

Tumuch (#1) heads here off a last-start win in the Waimate Cup at Oamaru, where he sat back off a genuine speed and powered by late in the piece. He looks well suited getting back on the Riccarton Synthetic, a track he has had plenty of success at in the past. He maps to get back again from his middle draw off what should again be a strong tempo throughout, which should set up nicely for him to be finishing off hard late. He finished 2nd in this race last year and can go one better this time around. 

Captain Roy (#3) acquitted himself very well in R65 company here over 1400m last start when finishing 3rd, having graduated from maiden company two starts back. He maps to get back from his wide draw in what shapes as a strongly run 1200m contest, which should set up well for him to be finishing off hard late. Looks a great each-way chance to close the card in what is a very even R65 contest.