Mitch Davis has been through the form guide and speed maps and has provided his race analysis and betting strategy for each of the six races at the Riccarton Synthetic meeting on Thursday 20 August below:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
Cocomara (#4) is a locally trained 4yo Tivaci mare resuming for Anna Furlong. She was last sighted running a fair race for 3rd at Riccarton back in February, where she was exposed for much of the race on a genuine tempo. She finds a very soft maiden field for her return and while publicly untried on the surface, she is locally trained and will have been exposed to it at home. Expect her to take up a forward position under typically positive rider Jasmine Fawcett in a race lacking obvious tempo. Should take plenty of beating if anywhere near her best.<\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R1 – REMEMBERING RICHARD JOHNSON MDN<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 4th<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 4. Cocomora (6)<\/span> 56.5kg<\/span>2363X<\/span><\/div> J: Jasmine Fawcett<\/span>T: Anna Furlong<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 1.75<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div> 1.09<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div> For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 19\/09\/2026 06:51:31 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section> \n View Results<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n Riccarton Synthetic Race 2<\/div>\n 7 Cool In Command<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n \n Cool In Command (#7) is a 3yo son of Cool Aza Beel resuming here for\u00a0<\/span>Te<\/span>\u00a0Akau, last sighted finishing last of four at Matamata back in January. Those two flops in his 2yo campaign in the North Island were\u00a0<\/span>possibly in<\/span>\u00a0part due to racing on tracks of a fairly testing nature. He has since\u00a0<\/span>relocated<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>Te<\/span>\u00a0Akau\u2019s South Island barn and his two trials ahead of this campaign have been pleasing without being asked to do much. He finds a soft maiden for his resumption and looks poised to\u00a0<\/span>settle up<\/span>\u00a0on speed throughout from the inside draw. Should prove hard to beat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R2 – CJC FEATURE RACE NOMINATIONS CLOSE 25 AUGUST MDN<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 1st<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 7. Cool In Command (1)<\/span> 55kg<\/span>64X<\/span><\/div> J: Hayley Hassman<\/span>T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 2.50<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div> 1.24<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div> For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 19\/09\/2026 06:51:31 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section> \n View Results<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n Riccarton Synthetic Race 3<\/div>\n 6 Overstate<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n \n Overstate (#6) was first-up for the new stable last start, having previously been trained in the North Island, and kicked off her campaign with a bang winning impressively in R60 company at this track and trip. She should only be better again for that resuming run and while she rises to R65 company, she looks well placed to repeat the dose. She draws to obtain\u00a0<\/span>a very similar<\/span>\u00a0run in transit from the low draw, where she may well find herself in the trail again or possibly three-back the inner at worst. Just needs the gaps to go her way again to be playing a part here.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R3 – FRANKIE VALLI & 4 SEASONS – CHCH 19 SEPTEMBER<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 5th<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 6. Overstate (2)<\/span> 57kg<\/span>808X1<\/span><\/div> J: Bridget Grylls<\/span>T: Lisa Young<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 2.70<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div> 1.35<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div> For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 19\/09\/2026 06:51:32 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section> \n View Results<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n Riccarton Synthetic Race 4<\/div>\n 5 Mr Fortrus<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n \n Mr Fortrus (#5) heads here off a\u00a0<\/span>last-start<\/span>\u00a0win in the\u00a0<\/span>Polytrack<\/span>\u00a0Championship at this course and distance, where he was able to\u00a0<\/span>settle up<\/span>\u00a0on speed in an evenly run race and held his rivals at bay down the straight. He maps to find the front here from the low draw, where Jasmine Fawcett should be able to dictate terms as she likes. Should that eventuate, they will struggle to reel him in again here given he\u00a0<\/span>remains<\/span>\u00a0down on the minimum. Hard to beat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R4 – CUP WEEK TICKETS ON SALE – 1 SEPTEMBER OPEN HCP<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 1st<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 5. Mr Fortrus (3)<\/span> 54kg<\/span>X1261<\/span><\/div> J: Jasmine Fawcett<\/span>T: John Blackadder<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 1.80<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
Cool In Command (#7) is a 3yo son of Cool Aza Beel resuming here for\u00a0<\/span>Te<\/span>\u00a0Akau, last sighted finishing last of four at Matamata back in January. Those two flops in his 2yo campaign in the North Island were\u00a0<\/span>possibly in<\/span>\u00a0part due to racing on tracks of a fairly testing nature. He has since\u00a0<\/span>relocated<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>Te<\/span>\u00a0Akau\u2019s South Island barn and his two trials ahead of this campaign have been pleasing without being asked to do much. He finds a soft maiden for his resumption and looks poised to\u00a0<\/span>settle up<\/span>\u00a0on speed throughout from the inside draw. Should prove hard to beat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R2 – CJC FEATURE RACE NOMINATIONS CLOSE 25 AUGUST MDN<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 1st<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 7. Cool In Command (1)<\/span> 55kg<\/span>64X<\/span><\/div> J: Hayley Hassman<\/span>T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 2.50<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div> 1.24<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div> For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 19\/09\/2026 06:51:31 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section> \n View Results<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n Riccarton Synthetic Race 3<\/div>\n 6 Overstate<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n \n Overstate (#6) was first-up for the new stable last start, having previously been trained in the North Island, and kicked off her campaign with a bang winning impressively in R60 company at this track and trip. She should only be better again for that resuming run and while she rises to R65 company, she looks well placed to repeat the dose. She draws to obtain\u00a0<\/span>a very similar<\/span>\u00a0run in transit from the low draw, where she may well find herself in the trail again or possibly three-back the inner at worst. Just needs the gaps to go her way again to be playing a part here.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R3 – FRANKIE VALLI & 4 SEASONS – CHCH 19 SEPTEMBER<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 5th<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 6. Overstate (2)<\/span> 57kg<\/span>808X1<\/span><\/div> J: Bridget Grylls<\/span>T: Lisa Young<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 2.70<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div> 1.35<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div> For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 19\/09\/2026 06:51:32 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section> \n View Results<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n Riccarton Synthetic Race 4<\/div>\n 5 Mr Fortrus<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n \n Mr Fortrus (#5) heads here off a\u00a0<\/span>last-start<\/span>\u00a0win in the\u00a0<\/span>Polytrack<\/span>\u00a0Championship at this course and distance, where he was able to\u00a0<\/span>settle up<\/span>\u00a0on speed in an evenly run race and held his rivals at bay down the straight. He maps to find the front here from the low draw, where Jasmine Fawcett should be able to dictate terms as she likes. Should that eventuate, they will struggle to reel him in again here given he\u00a0<\/span>remains<\/span>\u00a0down on the minimum. Hard to beat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R4 – CUP WEEK TICKETS ON SALE – 1 SEPTEMBER OPEN HCP<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 1st<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 5. Mr Fortrus (3)<\/span> 54kg<\/span>X1261<\/span><\/div> J: Jasmine Fawcett<\/span>T: John Blackadder<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 1.80<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
Overstate (#6) was first-up for the new stable last start, having previously been trained in the North Island, and kicked off her campaign with a bang winning impressively in R60 company at this track and trip. She should only be better again for that resuming run and while she rises to R65 company, she looks well placed to repeat the dose. She draws to obtain\u00a0<\/span>a very similar<\/span>\u00a0run in transit from the low draw, where she may well find herself in the trail again or possibly three-back the inner at worst. Just needs the gaps to go her way again to be playing a part here.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R3 – FRANKIE VALLI & 4 SEASONS – CHCH 19 SEPTEMBER<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 5th<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 6. Overstate (2)<\/span> 57kg<\/span>808X1<\/span><\/div> J: Bridget Grylls<\/span>T: Lisa Young<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 2.70<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div> 1.35<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div> For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 19\/09\/2026 06:51:32 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section> \n View Results<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/use><\/svg><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n Riccarton Synthetic Race 4<\/div>\n 5 Mr Fortrus<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n \n Mr Fortrus (#5) heads here off a\u00a0<\/span>last-start<\/span>\u00a0win in the\u00a0<\/span>Polytrack<\/span>\u00a0Championship at this course and distance, where he was able to\u00a0<\/span>settle up<\/span>\u00a0on speed in an evenly run race and held his rivals at bay down the straight. He maps to find the front here from the low draw, where Jasmine Fawcett should be able to dictate terms as she likes. Should that eventuate, they will struggle to reel him in again here given he\u00a0<\/span>remains<\/span>\u00a0down on the minimum. Hard to beat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R4 – CUP WEEK TICKETS ON SALE – 1 SEPTEMBER OPEN HCP<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 1st<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 5. Mr Fortrus (3)<\/span> 54kg<\/span>X1261<\/span><\/div> J: Jasmine Fawcett<\/span>T: John Blackadder<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 1.80<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
Mr Fortrus (#5) heads here off a\u00a0<\/span>last-start<\/span>\u00a0win in the\u00a0<\/span>Polytrack<\/span>\u00a0Championship at this course and distance, where he was able to\u00a0<\/span>settle up<\/span>\u00a0on speed in an evenly run race and held his rivals at bay down the straight. He maps to find the front here from the low draw, where Jasmine Fawcett should be able to dictate terms as she likes. Should that eventuate, they will struggle to reel him in again here given he\u00a0<\/span>remains<\/span>\u00a0down on the minimum. Hard to beat.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Riccarton Park Synthetic R4 – CUP WEEK TICKETS ON SALE – 1 SEPTEMBER OPEN HCP<\/span> <\/div> Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/colgroup> 1st<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 5. Mr Fortrus (3)<\/span> 54kg<\/span>X1261<\/span><\/div> J: Jasmine Fawcett<\/span>T: John Blackadder<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> 1.80<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>