Timaru Tips & Preview | Wednesday 23 September

Niccita (#5) is a dual acceptor here and in Race 3, and looks very hard to beat wherever connections opt to line her up. She closed off nicely from the back of the field last start at Riccarton Park, finishing 4th in the Canterbury Belle Stakes. Back in maiden company now, she looks to find a much more winnable assignment as a consequence. She maps to settle midfield from a nice low gate, carrying just 54.5kg. Hard to beat. 

Baltic Boom (#10) resumes here for Terri Rae, last seen finishing 7th in 2yo company at Riccarton Park back in March. He’s trialled very sharply ahead of his return, suggesting he’s nice and forward for this first-up assignment. Triston Moodley takes the reins, where he maps to lead from a middle barrier. Can run a big race fresh. 

Niccita (#10) is a dual acceptor here and in Race 1, and looks very hard to beat wherever connections opt to line her up. She closed off nicely from the back of the field last start at Riccarton Park, finishing 4th in the Canterbury Belle Stakes. Back in maiden company now, she looks to find a much more winnable assignment as a consequence. She maps to settle midfield from a nice low gate, carrying just 54.5kg. Hard to beat. 

Cocomora (#5) was too bad to be true last start at Riccarton Synthetic, well beaten into 7th, and it’s a case of taking her and the stable on trust that she can bounce back here. She comes here third-up and looks suited getting back on the turf, though the wide barrier means she’ll need some luck early. Finds a very winnable maiden contest if she can recapture her best. 

Suavetta (#11) was fairly one-paced in the straight here last start after settling handy to the speed, finishing 5th. That was her first run since joining the Andrew Carston stable, and she should take improvement from it. She maps to settle midfield from a nice low gate under Matt Cameron in what should be a genuinely run race. Can run an improved race here. 

Big Exit (#7) is a locally trained 5yo Super Seth mare who was just fair to the line last start at Riccarton Synthetic, having to settle for 5th. Lisa Allpress takes over the riding duties, and from a middle barrier she maps to settle back in the field in what should be a genuinely run race. Can figure in the finish in what looks a very even field here. 

Arctic Jewel (#4) resumes here for Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson, last seen finishing 2nd in a comparable field at Riccarton Synthetic back in May. She’s trialled very nicely ahead of her return, and should be ready to run a race fresh. She maps to settle back of midfield from a middle barrier in what should be a genuinely run affair. Can be finishing over the top late if she finds some cover early. 

Cognoscenti (#2) sat just off the speed here last start but couldn’t reel in the leader, having to settle for 2nd. Now second-up, he should have taken natural improvement from that resuming run, and he’ll appreciate the likely better footing on offer here too. He maps to settle just off the speed again from the wide gate, though he may just need some luck over the first 200m to find a position. Can go one better. 

Shocking Secrets (#10) got back and made little impression last start at Riccarton Synthetic, well beaten into 6th that day. Matt Cameron takes over the ride, and she maps to settle at the tail of the field in a race lacking tempo, which may not be a negative for her. She finds herself in a very winnable maiden here, and looks a key contender on her best form. 

Henry Thomas (#2) got back and grinded home last start at Riccarton, but he never looked likely. He comes here third-up and looks suited stepping up in trip to the 2200m. He maps to settle back in the field from a middle barrier in what should be a genuinely run race. Can run an improved race here, and will be looking to grind home over the top late if they overdo it up front.