Riccarton Synthetic Tips & Preview | Thursday 10 September

Illusionist (#2) finished 2nd here last start, beaten nearly 3L, running a much improved race with a big gap back to 3rd. The visor blinkers being applied that day seemingly sparked the improvement and remain on here. He maps to settle midfield with cover in a race that looks to have very little speed engaged. He draws a nice low gate, and Jack Taplin takes over with his 2kg claim only helping matters further. Can go one better in what is a very even lineup. 

Queen Of Naples (#4) was narrowly beaten into 3rd last start, after sustaining a long sprint and just peaking late. She has been given a short freshen since that run back in July and looks suited remaining at the mile here. She maps to settle back in the field from a middle draw, in a race that looks to have very little speed engaged. She has the turn of foot to be out-sprinting these late.

Percival (#1) is first-up for the new stable, now trained locally by Lance Robinson. He was beaten a short margin at his last outing at Ashburton back in April. He’s untried on the synthetic himself, but now being trained locally, it should mean he’s had plenty of exposure to it in his work. In a race that looks to have very little speed engaged, he should have the turn of foot to be besting these late. Looks the one to beat in a moderate maiden lineup. 

Thats Charming (#4) drops back to R60 company here after finishing 3rd, beaten 1.4L, in a tougher R65 at this course and distance last start. He finds a very winnable race here as a consequence. He maps to settle midfield in a race that looks to have just an even tempo engaged. Looks as likely as any to be winning here. 

Montero (#2) finished 7th last start, beaten just over 4L, at Riccarton on a Heavy track. Going off his record, he looks much better suited back on to his first preferred synthetic footing here. He maps to settle handy to the speed in what looks to be another race lacking tempo, which should setup nicely for him. Looks capable of running a vastly improved race in this company. 

Rollins (#3) steps out to 2200 metres for the first time this campaign, coming into this fourth-up. He finished 3rd here last start, where he was getting home well from the back over 1600m. He looks suited by the step up in trip for this, and he maps to settle back in the field from a middle barrier, in what looks to be no more than an even gallop throughout. Can improve again here and go close in this. 

Dorothea (#5) is a locally trained mare who comes here second-up for David Walsh, well beaten last start at her only run this campaign. The switch to synthetic footing here should suit, given she broke her maiden emphatically here at the end of last campaign. She maps to settle handy to the speed from a nice low gate, where she should get every chance under Ashlee Strawbridge. Vastly improved showing expected.