Riccarton Park Tips & Preview | Saturday 24 October

Never Too Much (#13) comes here off a last start 3rd at Timaru three weeks ago, working home fairly from midfield to grab a placing but was arguably entitled to finish a touch closer. He maps to settle handy to the speed from the inside gate, where I expect Wiremu Pinn will have him poised just off the speed throughout. He wouldn’t need to improve much, if at all, to be winning this. 

Balance Of Power (#4) ran a huge race to be beaten less than a length for 4th at Timaru three weeks ago, sustaining a wide run without cover over 2200m. He maps to settle midfield from the middle draw, where he can hopefully find a position with cover this time under Hayley Hassman, as he can’t afford to be posted over 3000m. With even luck, he should be accounting for this field off his past couple of efforts. 

Super Accord (#1) comes here at start number two and should be better for the debut raceday experience, having been beaten a nose into 2nd at this track and trip four weeks ago. He showed good muster after a moderate getaway to hold the fence from the inside gate, kicking on well in the straight that day. He draws the inside gate again, which is a big advantage in these 800m 2yo scampers. Expecting he can hold the front, and should give another bold sight if he does. Looks the reliable play in an even bunch of 2yos. 

Dorothea (#9) was just out-toughed late when not beaten far into 3rd at Ashburton a fortnight ago, having sat behind the leader and fought on in the straight. Back to 1200m looks ideal for this speedy mare, and Lisa Allpress jumping aboard aids her chances also. The key will be the first 50m, as if she can find the fence in front from her wide draw she should take plenty of catching. May need to absorb some pressure early, but can give a big sight. 

Casino (#12) resumes here for her new trainer Terri Rae, making her debut in the South Island after finishing 5th at Waverley back in April. She comes here without a public trial, which is a slight query, but I expect Terri Rae will have her ready to go for this. She maps to settle off the speed in a race that looks to have a strong tempo engaged. She can measure up if she brings her best form from the CD. 

Vendabelle (#8) made some late ground out wide from the back of midfield without threatening when 6th here four weeks ago, in a race dominated by those near the fence. Second-up, she should strip fitter for the resuming run and looks suited getting out over a mile for this. Leah Hemi takes the reins, and I expect she’ll look to find a position back of midfield with cover in a race that looks to have a genuine tempo engaged. She looks the one to beat in an even field. 

Sword Of Stars (#9) won impressively at Timaru three weeks ago, sitting off the speed before going on by late. She maps to settle ahead of midfield with cover from a favourable draw, off what should be a genuine tempo, which should see her afforded every chance. She looks set to improve again and take plenty of beating in this. Clearly the one to beat.  

Iron Hawk (#5) worked home nicely from midfield to grab a placing at Ashburton a fortnight ago, on a day where it was a clear advantage to those up on speed and on the fence. That effort reads better than the 4.2L margin suggests. Now third-up, he looks suited getting out over 1400m and maps to settle just off the speed from a nice low draw, in a race that looks to have a solid early tempo engaged. He can bounce back to winning form here. 

Sir Albert (#2) was beaten just half a length for 2nd at Ashburton last start, working home nicely up the fence on a day where it aided those mounting their run on the rail. Now third-up, he looks suited by the rise to 2000m and maps to settle back of midfield from the low draw, in an evenly run race. He should be suited by the firmer conditions underfoot also, and looks a solid each way chance at the price. 

Indie Ardie (#3) closed off nicely from the back of the field to finish 3rd at Wingatui three weeks ago. She comes here third-up, and now gets back on to better footing, whilst the rise to 1800m will only play into her hands also. She maps to settle midfield with cover from her low draw in a genuinely run race. She looks set to run a further improved race here and is a strong each way chance at odds in an even field to close the card.