{"id":31798,"date":"2026-08-28T10:21:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T22:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=31798"},"modified":"2026-08-28T11:45:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T23:45:45","slug":"riccarton-park-tips-preview-saturday-29-august","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2026\/08\/riccarton-park-tips-preview-saturday-29-august\/","title":{"rendered":"Riccarton Park Tips & Preview | Saturday 29 August"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Riccarton hosts a nine-race program on Saturday, with the track rated a Heavy9 and the rail out 8m to the 1000m then out 11m to the winning post. Rain during the week has seen the track downgraded deep into the Heavy range and it seems highly unlikely to improve prior to Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 29 August below:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Riccarton Park Race 1<\/div>\n
3 Rockman<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Rockman (#3) ran a huge race for 3rd here last start, where he\u00a0<\/span>wasn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0flash away, had to work early to find a handy position, and then found a second wind late in the home straight after appearing to be beaten. He comes here on the fresh side four weeks between runs, so the slight drop back in trip to 1400m\u00a0<\/span>shouldn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0pose too many concerns. With an even\u00a0<\/span>getaway<\/span>\u00a0from the inside gate, he should be able to hold a handy position again without being required to work as hard this time. Will be stronger to the line than many of these in what could be testing conditions.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riccarton R1 – SPEIGHT’S SUMMIT ULTRA ON TAP RATING 65<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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6th<\/span><\/div>
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3. Rockman (1)<\/span>
59kg<\/span>36213<\/span><\/div>
J: Daniel Bothamley<\/span>T: Shankar Muniandy<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
5.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
2.00<\/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: 28\/09\/2026 09:45:35 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Riccarton Park Race 2<\/div>\n
1 Bellish Boy<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Tip of The Day<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Bellish Boy (#1) resumes here now in\u00a0<\/span>Te<\/span>\u00a0Akau\u2019s South Island barn, having last been sighted finishing 4th at Pukekohe back in March. He has\u00a0<\/span>trialled<\/span>\u00a0very well ahead of his resumption, suggesting he is ready to go for this first-up assignment. Michael McNab aboard is a big\u00a0<\/span>plus<\/span>\u00a0and he should be positioned out in the best part of the track from the wide draw down the chute. Not a strong maiden and he should be winning if he copes with the track.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riccarton R2 – CHRISTCHURCH CASINO 31ST SI AWARDS 11 SEPT\u00a0MDN<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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4th<\/span><\/div>
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1. Bellish Boy (10)<\/span>
58.5kg<\/span>6324X<\/span><\/div>
J: Michael McNab<\/span>T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
2.45<\/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: 28\/09\/2026 09:45:36 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Riccarton Park Race 3<\/div>\n
4 Cool Aza Rene<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Cool Aza Rene (#4) resumes here, last sighted finishing 4th in the Gore Guineas back in April. She has had the benefit of a recent trial earlier this month to ready her for this, where she was only fair to the line under light riding. She looks well drawn out wide from the chute start at Riccarton, where Michael McNab should have her situated in the best part of the track. She handled Heavy tracks when exposed to them as a 2yo and can go close if she copes with it here.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riccarton R3 – WHITE ROBE LODGE CELEBRATING 70 YEARS RATING 75<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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2nd<\/span><\/div>
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4. Cool Aza Rene (8)<\/span>
57.5kg<\/span>3424X<\/span><\/div>
J: Michael McNab<\/span>T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
4.60<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.75<\/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: 28\/09\/2026 09:45:37 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Riccarton Park Race 4<\/div>\n
10 Niccita<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Niccita<\/span>\u00a0(#10) is a 3yo\u00a0<\/span>Nicconi<\/span>\u00a0filly trekking south to make her debut for the Pam Gerard stable. She has had only the one trial earlier this month to\u00a0<\/span>prepare, but<\/span>\u00a0looked\u00a0<\/span>very good<\/span>\u00a0through the line on a Heavy track that day, responding instantly when asked. She draws a nice gate for her debut and gets the services of one of the country\u2019s leading riders in Matt Cartwright. Happy to\u00a0<\/span>speculate<\/span>\u00a0on her running a cheeky race on debut in what\u00a0<\/span>looks<\/span>\u00a0an even field of 3yos.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riccarton R4 – CUP WEEK TICKETS ON SALE 1 SEPT 3YO <\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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7th<\/span><\/div>
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10. Niccita (3)<\/span>
54kg<\/span><\/span><\/div>
J: Matt Cartwright<\/span>T: Pam Gerard<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
13.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
3.00<\/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: 28\/09\/2026 09:45:37 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Riccarton Park Race 5<\/div>\n
2 Mad Max<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Mad Max (#2) is an ex-northerner making his South Island debut for the Terri Rae stable, having been\u00a0<\/span>purchased<\/span>\u00a0off\u00a0<\/span>Gavelhouse<\/span>\u00a0back in April. He was last seen finishing 8th at Ellerslie back in April, where he\u00a0<\/span>wasn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0beaten far in a stronger R65 than he meets here. He has\u00a0<\/span>trialled<\/span>\u00a0up very nicely ahead of his resuming run and gets the services of Michael McNab from a low draw. Expect him to settle off the speed and look to finish over the top late.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riccarton R5 – GROUP 1 RACEDAY PARTY 12 SEPT RATING 65<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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2nd<\/span><\/div>
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2. Mad Max (2)<\/span>
59.5kg<\/span>4548X<\/span><\/div>
J: Michael McNab<\/span>T: Terri Rae<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
2.50<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.30<\/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: 28\/09\/2026 09:45:38 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Riccarton Park Race 6<\/div>\n
4 Trobriand<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Trobriand (#4) resumes here, last seen finishing a narrow 2nd at Ashburton back in April. He has had the one trial to prepare for his return, where he was finding the line well under his own steam behind race rival Moving Melody. Although 1000m is\u00a0<\/span>likely short<\/span>\u00a0of his best trip, the\u00a0<\/span>possibly testing<\/span>\u00a0nature of the track may bring him into play. Expect Samantha Collett to settle him off the speed from the low draw and save him for one dash at them late.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riccarton R6 – ECHOES OF HEAVEN AT CLEARVIEW PARK OPEN HCP<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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3rd<\/span><\/div>
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4. Trobriand (4)<\/span>
56kg<\/span>8012X<\/span><\/div>
J: Michael McNab<\/span>T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
2.60<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.28<\/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: 28\/09\/2026 09:45:39 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
\n View Results<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Riccarton Park Race 7<\/div>\n
9 Shawshank<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Each Way<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Shawshank (#9) kicked back to win here three weeks ago over 1400m, where he looked a sitting duck halfway down the straight but fought back resolutely to win. The way he fought through the line last start suggests he could now be ready for the rise to 1600m, where he again maps to roll forward and sit up on speed throughout from his wide draw. The likelihood of a Heavy track will play into his hands far more than his opposition, as he is rock hard fit and tends to show his best in testing conditions.\u00a0<\/span>Can<\/span>\u00a0go back-to-back.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riccarton R7 – LISTEN LIVE ON SPORTNATION.NZ OPEN HCP<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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1st<\/span><\/div>
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9. Shawshank (7)<\/span>
54kg<\/span>01161<\/span><\/div>
J: Ace Lawson-Carroll<\/span>T: Samantha Wynne<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
4.40<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.80<\/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: 28\/09\/2026 09:45:40 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Riccarton Park Race 8<\/div>\n
14 What She Wants<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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What She Wants (#14) ran a good race for 2nd at Oamaru last start behind race rival Winter Blaze, where she was able to work into the clear turning for home but wasn\u2019t able to go with the winner, with a big gap back to 3rd. Her prior effort here for 2nd over the mile reads well for this, where she was putting in some good late strides down the outer on a Heavy track that day. The wide draw will\u00a0<\/span>likely see<\/span>\u00a0her settling back in the field, but she should be in the best part of the track\u00a0<\/span>come<\/span>\u00a0this stage of the day. Can be\u00a0<\/span>finishing<\/span>\u00a0over the top of these late.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riccarton R8 – CELEBRATING KYLIE WILLIAMS RATING 65<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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1st<\/span><\/div>
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14. What She Wants (12)<\/span>
56.5kg<\/span>9X422<\/span><\/div>
J: Kylie Williams<\/span>T: Shankar Muniandy<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
3.40<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.65<\/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: 28\/09\/2026 09:45:41 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Riccarton Park Race 9<\/div>\n
2 Move On<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Move On (#2) comes into this off a good effort for 2nd here over the mile three weeks ago, where she looked to have the race shot to bits when she got into clear air, only to be mowed down in the shadows of the post. She is drawn low again\u00a0<\/span>here<\/span>\u00a0and I expect Ashlee Strawbridge to ride her neutrally, looking to keep her coiled up as long as possible to run out the 1800m. Only an even tempo on paper should give her every chance to run out the trip, whilst the Heavy track will play into her hands as much as any.\u00a0<\/span>Should<\/span>\u00a0go close.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riccarton R9 – RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE RATING 75<\/span> <\/div>
Final<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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2nd<\/span><\/div>
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2. Move On (3)<\/span>
56kg<\/span>3X022<\/span><\/div>
J: Ashlee Strawbridge<\/span>T: Brian & Shane Anderton<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
4.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/div>
1.70<\/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: 28\/09\/2026 09:45:42 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
\n View Results<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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