Best Bets

Race 3 #11 KIKIMORA

Race 5 #4 MISS DUNSFORD (If the track improves)

Race 9 #4 EARS BACK

Roughie

Race 4 - #2 PENVOSE LAD

 

Race 3 - COCHRANES FARM MACHINERY RATING 65

Key Runners

#12 KIKIMORA

#1 SURCHARGE

 

Summary

There will be plenty of runners trying to settle handy in the run here. With the likes of #6 MR HASS, #7 EXPRESS COUP & #1 SURCHARGE all likely to settle at the front along with #9 GLAMOUR, #10 MORE THAN WORDS & #14 RHONDA WOOD. With a bunch of runners rolling forward, race favourite #12 KIKIMORA should be able to settle back around mid-field and get cover from gate 8.

Betting Strategy

Back (Win) - #12 KIKIMORA

She is one of the better performed 3YO fillies racing in the South Island and she secured her maiden victory last start in dominant fashion. The form from that race has stacked up with LADYSWEY winning just 7 days later. She can get an economical run here where there will be speed on early and while she will have to beat the older horses, her raw ability puts her right in this. A soft track shouldn’t be a concern for her.

 

Race 9 - VALACHI DOWNS SOUTH ISLAND THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ STAKES

Key Runners

#4 EARS BACK

#1 LIVE DRAMA

#7 DIVINE SAVA

 

Summary

The mares do battle in this event for the all-important Black type. The likely leader here is #11 MIA SORELLA, along with #6 JUNE BUG & #9 MISS ELLA also settling handy from good draws. #1 LIVE DRAMA will likely end up 5^th on the fence from gate 1 while #4 EARS BACK will settle in the second half of this field from a wider gate.

Betting Strategy

Back (Win) - #4 EARS BACK

While she appeared to disappoint when last presented, she was subsequently found to be in season, so therefore, I am willing to forgive that effort. A horse who has flown through the grades, the stable has had this race in mind for her for a while now. She has wet track form so the going will be no issue and her course and distance stats are very strong. She can settle in the second half of the field and should have no issue finding cover. The speed should be genuine enough for her to have a crack at them down the long Riccarton straight.

Back (Place) - #3 AVAQUINELLA

Her form only reads moderately of late. However, on her day, she is a top-class mare with runs around some handy horses. She is likely to get right back in the run and will need the track to be in the Soft range, but Tina Comignaghi gets back aboard and with the right run, she can finish in the top 3 here.