OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2000m

IMPERATIVE / PRINCE ALBY / STAR BALLOT

Willing to allow the Anderton's stayer IMPERATIVE a shot at winning this after two wins in her last three. Got the job done at Riverton finishing best from midfield, then slow away and crowded at the start which cost her any chance. Tidy effort last start coming from 2nd last to bomb them with s big late finish over 2200m at Otago and a repeat of that performance surely takes her close. Only has a 2nd placing as the best Riccarton result a while ok and not too much experience on the course the only issue

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He may be getting a bit long in the tooth after 65 runs, but PRINCE ALBY still has some fire in the belly for a nearly eight-year-old and he does possess a nice finish for a stayer as shown when winning at Riverton over 2147m. Got out late and unlucky when 3rd at Ascot Park in April, but not so prominent in the last one at Wingatui. The Kevin Tyler trained stayer does love his home course and familiar surroundings, so travelling away may not be his thing, although we think he can show up Saturday on a surface with some give in it.

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Nothing wrong with how this TARZINO gelding STAR BALLOT has been going and he is coming off a poly win over 2200m running three-wide before pressing forward at the 1000m and kicked away. The writing was on the wall after running on over 2600m on the Riccarton turf and is probably worth following while in form. Trained on the course by the Pitman's and down in weight plus distance. No Cartwright on this time though.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1400m

ROYAL VALOUR / TOMASIMA / BETTY SPAGHETTI

The Open Sprint over 1400m presents as the best competitive race of the day with a few good types appearing and the BELARDO gelding ROYAL VALOUR could be ready to strike after finishing 4th in both the Canterbury Gold Cup and Easter Cup. Won here in March over 1800m finishing off best, so we know the gelding is quite dynamic when firing on all cylinders. He has been around a fair while with 44 runs on the bank and you just need to be able to catch him on his day.

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The DARCI BRAHMA mare TOMASIMA has been pretty darn average the last three and maybe Riccarton just isn't her thing, but her win at Riverton when settling on the pace displayed how good a horse she can be when prepared to put it all together. Struck a wide draw in the Great Easter Stakes, then lost ground early after cashing with MARTELL. Only needs to jump into stride effectively and avoid bouncing around leaving the gates to wind up strongly and we give the mare a chance.

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Anna Furlong trains BETTY SPAGHETTI, who will be aided by the Strawbridge 3kg claim and is coming off a win over 1400m on a Heavy 9 at Wingatui. Blundered the start here the run prior, but ran on gamely fof 3rd on the course back in April after a run of poor form and most importantly goes extra well here at Riccarton. Did win the Great Easter Stakes and Timaru Stakes on the course, although Soft form is non existent versus Good and Heavy form. Some reservations unless the conditions are just right.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1600m

POWEROFPERSUASION / BALANCE OF POWER / CANASTA‍ ‍

POWEROFPERSUASION is a TEN SOVEREIGNS mare trained by Terri Rae at Riccarton Park and she has looked very good in thd two runs back this prep after trialing up nicely at Ashburton. Fractious in the barriers. Returned to the enclosure with blood present in the right nostril running 3rd on the synthetic before offering up a strong finish to win on the poly over 1600m. Definitely wasn't terrible up north with a debut win at Waverley but appears better suited down here.

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Te Akau brought BALANCE OF POWER to Christchurch looking for a form reversal and the ALMANZOR gelding hasn't quite hit the mark in two runs down south. Did a few things wrong here in May, but wide and Opie possibly misread the situation, then restrained back on the synthetic and overraced for a period laying in. Potentially needs more give in the track and with conditions to suit could turn it all around with one big run. We will see rain there in Saturday so a downgrade or two won't hurt his chances.

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Don't mind the Anna Furlong trained CANASTA who has been highly competitive at times and is coming of a solid 3rd on a Heavy 9 at Wingatui when forced to race three wide without cover throughout. Nice effort for 2nd to TOMASIMA when held up at Riccarton but ran on well and put in a big run beforehand to win over 1400m on this course despite yet again receiving more interference. The ACE HIGH mare appears to be in optimal condition for a flawless performance, provided she has a clear path in the straight.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1200m

HOORAY FOR HARRY / CANDLE / BOSS 'N' HIGHHEELS

This race looks perfect for HOORAY FOR HARRY and the HARRY ANGEL gelding from the Te Akau stable can't do much more than win. Performed exceptionally well this time last year before winning down the chute here in September. Came back from a let up with a couple of tough runs in BM75 followed by a 2nd to BRAVE SPIRIT with a game effort. Been getting back too far off them since resuming this prep but challenged well for 2nd at Otago last start despite running about a bit in the straight.

☆☆☆☆

CANDLE slotted into Southern life and the Didham stable nicely after shifting to Aylesbury last winter and duly delivered two wins at Oamaru and Riccarton. Found it slightly more difficult on the firmer track before performing well on the West Coast circuit with two runner-up slots on Soft tracks. Sound finishing 2nd at both Ashburton and Otago in April, then lost early ground on the synthetic last start. Can bounce back, particularly if the track remains in the Soft range.

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BOSS N HIGHHEELS relocated south to join Terri Rae following successful performances in the northern region, including victories at Matamata and Te Rapa during the spring of 2025. The horse resumed competitive racing in February of this year, securing a win over 1200m at Wingatui in March. Not far away in the next three in BM75 before a nice victory on the Riccarton synthetic. Challenged and fought hard for 2nd last start on the synthetic so in a fine state of fitness.

☆☆

BEST BET: HOORAY FOR HARRY

NEXT BEST: IMPERATIVE

BEST VALUE: PRINCE ALBY

WILDCARD: CLAUDIUS MAXIMUS