Riccarton hosts a nine-race card on Saturday for Canterbury Belle Stakes Day, with the track rated a Heavy9 and the rail out 7m. Conditions are fine ahead of Raceday, which could see the track improve towards the better end of the Heavy range.
Mitch Davis has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the nine races at the Riccarton Park meeting on Saturday 12 September below:
Never Too Much (#15) is a 3yo Rubick gelding resuming for Te Akau, last seen finishing 7th in the Champagne Stakes as a 2yo. He has had the one trial to prepare for this, where he led and bowled along to win well, which should bring him on nicely for this first-up run. He maps to settle up on speed again from his wide draw and should take plenty of beating if he copes with the track.
| 15. Never Too Much (15) J: Wiremu Pinn 56kg 3327X T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | |||
| Resuming from a spell. Recent trial winner at Ashburton. Opened last campaign with a third at Wingatui over 1100m. Looks all set for a bright return. | |||
Mad Max (#1) resumed with a good 2nd, beaten 0.6L here two weeks ago, which should have brought him on nicely for this second-up assignment. Jack Taplin takes over and his 2kg claim aids his chances, while he maps to settle handy to the speed again from the wide gate. Can go one better with natural improvement from that resuming run.
| 1. Mad Max (10) J: Jack Taplin 58kg 548X2 T: Terri Rae | |||
| Second up after a fine return last start, finishing just 0.6 lengths off the winner over 1000m at this track. Winning chance with that run under the belt. | |||
Valley King (#1) was making up good ground from the back when 2nd here five weeks ago, but was unable to run down the winner. He’s back in trip here, but did score over the mile at this track two starts back, so not expecting the drop back in trip to be an issue. Maps to settle midfield with cover from a handy barrier. Looks the one they have to beat with even luck in running here.
| 1. Valley King (5) J: Floor Moerman 58kg X7312 T: Kevin Myers | |||
| Seven-year-old gelding who drops in trip from the latest outing when second over 1800m at this track, finishing 1.2 lengths off the winner. Going well and should be prominent again. | |||
Unwoke (#6) comes here off a last start 3rd over 1800m here two weeks ago, where he only grinded away to the line from a nice trailing position. Triston Moodley takes the reins, and from the wide gate he maps to settle handy to the speed again here. Looks a solid each-way chance in a very even field, particularly if he can land a forward position without overdoing it early.
| 6. Unwoke (12) J: Triston Moodley 58.5kg 21X03 T: Lance Robinson | |||
| Improved at the second run back from a spell last start when third over 1800m at this track, beaten 3.5 lengths. Steps out over this journey for the first time but he is cherry-ripe now. One of the top 4 chances. | |||
Enterprise Gem (#5) was making up good late ground from the back when 5th here behind Miss Seth two weeks ago, despite having to change course in the straight. She looks suited stepping out over further off that effort, and maps to settle back in the field again from a middle barrier. Could be the one finishing off hard late at a price.
| 5. Enterprise Gem (8) J: Amber Riddell 57.5kg 15385 T: Michael & Matthew Pitman | |||
| Finished midfield last start at this track over 1800m, 4 lengths from the winner. Jumps up in journey today. Looks tested again. | |||
Iron Hawk (#4) is 140 days between runs heading into this first-up assignment, last seen going down narrowly into 2nd here in the Great Easter Stakes. He went through the grades impressively last campaign, in what was his first prep in NZ since arriving in Lance Robinson’s stable from Australia. Expecting Triston Moodley will look to float him forward and keep him in the best part of the track from the wide gate. Can return with a bang here.
| 4. Iron Hawk (9) J: Triston Moodley 56kg 2112X T: Lance Robinson | |||
| Last appeared four-and-a-half months ago when he finished 0.3 lengths from the winner in second over 1400m at this track. Did finish in the money first-up last prep at this track over 1200m. Form shown last campaign makes for good reading. | |||
Sweetest Thing (#1) resumes here, having shifted to the Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson stable since her last run, where she was the best of the beaten brigade in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce at Trentham back in March. She’s trialled very well ahead of this first-up assignment for the new stable, suggesting she’s forward and ready for this resuming run. She maps to settle midfield with cover from her middle draw. Can take plenty of beating if she cops the track.
| 1. Sweetest Thing (6) J: Wiremu Pinn 56.5kg 2252X T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | |||
| Did a fine job to finish second last start in the Manawatu Sires Produce over 1400m at Trentham, beaten 4.5 lengths by Seize The Day. Key runner who is a great chance to win fresh up. | |||
Sunset Boulevard (#2) is 154 days between runs heading into this first-up assignment for Kevin Myers, with his final run last prep an 8th beaten 4.4L at Ōtaki. He’s trialled very sharply ahead of his return, suggesting he can run a forward race fresh, despite being on a path to an NZ Cup in November. He maps to settle midfield with cover from a middle barrier. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him run well here.
| 2. Sunset Boulevard (5) J: Floor Moerman 58kg 8138X T: Kevin Myers | |||
| Resuming from a break. Recent trial form very strong including a win at the latest appearance at Foxton. Opened last campaign with a win at Otaki over 1600m. Has a good first-up record. Expecting a bright return. | |||
Maybe Diva (#3) is 154 days between runs heading into this first-up assignment, last sighted finishing 8th here. She’s only trialled moderately leading into this, which is a slight query, but trusting Andrew Carston to have her ready to go for this resuming run. Matthew Cameron taking over looks a plus as she should suit a strong rider. Maps to settle back in the field with cover from a middle barrier before trying to topple them late.
| 3. Maybe Diva (10) J: Matthew Cameron 57.5kg 7218X T: Andrew Carston | |||
| Resuming from a spell. Fitter for a recent trial at Phar Lap Racecourse. Opened last campaign with a win at this track over 1400m. Expecting a strong run fresh. | |||
