Meeting Overview:

Going: Soft5 (as at 10/11)

Rail: True 

With rain falling early in the week and sunshine forecast for the lead up to this meeting, I think we should be racing on a perfect Soft5 surface come race morning, with the prospect of an upgrade through the day should the sun and wind continue. This will give all horses a chance. The rail goes back to the true for tomorrow, which has had a long rest. The last meeting in the True was on 13^th  September. I expect the track to play very fairly and be in pristine condition for the first day of New Zealand Cup Week.

Best Bet

Race 2 - #3 MYSTIC PARK (Win)

The local stable who thrives on New Zealand Cup week present a very strong chance in Race 2. Mystic Park has shown plenty in his three starts to date and I imagine the stable have set him for this race as he is a very live chance. He was super when clearing maiden ranks and has exposure to the chute here at Riccarton which will only be an assist for his chances in this. The surface will be ideal for him and drawn in gate 2, expect to see him right on speed and be hard to get past, especially with that man Joe Doyle in the saddle.

Next Bet

Race 6 - #8 MATTER OF HONOUR (Each Way)

I think this is a very open race and this horse got to a pretty high-level last spring. He has form around some nice ones this prep, and the stable/rider combo is one to respect as always. The sticky draw isn’t ideal, but I have faith that our champion jockey, Michael McNab, can negate this and at that price, I am happy to take on the favourite in lieu of some value with Matter Of Honour as his best is definitely enough to salute in this.

Value Bet

Race 9 - #2 BURN TO SHINE (Top 4)

I have the utmost respect for the red-hot favourite Crocetti here and I am willing to make the most of him being so short in this race, by shopping around the top 4 markets and one that stands out for me is equal second favourite, Burn To Shine. He was impressive winning over the course and distance here last start against a few race rivals, and from the gate, he profiles to get a similarly suitable run in-transit. He only needs to run the same race again and I am very confident of a top 4 finish. He has form around all the top 3YO’s prior to that last start win and at the $2 price, it looks like a good multi booster.