NZ - Riccarton - Race 2

Thoroughbred

8 Runners

20.9f

Unknown

Turf

HEAVY 9

58.8K

VIEW

R10

Verdict

AFFORDABLE (6) won the traditional lead-up to this race last Saturday, and will carry the same weight against a similar field here. He is a safe hurdler who can plough through a heavy track to win again. THE BAMBINO (4) warmed up late when finishing fourth behind the top pick last time out, and the extra 5 ½f is what this fellow is all about. Hard to beat. DICTATION (2) is still building his fitness, and his last start third will have him spot on for his main target this year. He is ready to win again at short notice. HAPPY STAR (1) had his last start on the flat when finishing a game third at Waverley just over 2 weeks ago. He has to lump 154lbs, but will always try his best. Each way. TAIKA (3) will give the Nelson/McDougal stable a strong hand in this, and his best effort would take him close to winning this. Include in all top 4 combos.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
6	Useful type. Last outing won by 1.1 len this track on August 1 over 1 ¹5/16m in the wet defeating Quid carrying 143lbs at $6.70 in a jumps. Race before finished fifth of 8 runners at Woodville on July 12 over 1m, in the wet, 11 len behind Happy Star with 143lbs at $3.70. Likely to be hard to beat once more. 1st Pick 6 Affordable Jockey: Jay Kozaczek Trainer: Jo Rathbone J: Jay Kozaczek T: Jo Rathbone	142	-	-	-	20%
Analysis Useful type. Last outing won by 1.1 len this track on August 1 over 1 ¹5/16m in the wet defeating Quid carrying 143lbs at $6.70 in a jumps. Race before finished fifth of 8 runners at Woodville on July 12 over 1m, in the wet, 11 len behind Happy Star with 143lbs at $3.70. Likely to be hard to beat once more.
4	Recent form impressive for this race. Last outing finished fourth of 7 runners at this track on August 1 over 1 ¹5/16m, on heavy track, 5 len behind Affordable with 147lbs at $5.60. Before that finished third of 8 runners at Woodville on July 12 over 1m, on a wet track, 1.1 len behind Happy Star with 147lbs at $9.40. Each way claims in this field. 2nd Pick 4 The Bambino Jockey: Emily J Farr Trainer: P Nelson & C Mcdougal J: Emily J Farr T: P Nelson & C Mcdougal	92	-	-	-	34%
Analysis Recent form impressive for this race. Last outing finished fourth of 7 runners at this track on August 1 over 1 ¹5/16m, on heavy track, 5 len behind Affordable with 147lbs at $5.60. Before that finished third of 8 runners at Woodville on July 12 over 1m, on a wet track, 1.1 len behind Happy Star with 147lbs at $9.40. Each way claims in this field.
2	Impressive in recent runs. Last outing finished third of 7 starters at this track on August 1 over 1 ¹5/16m, on rain affected going, 2.25 len behind Affordable with 152lbs at $4.10. Before that finished fourth of 8 starters at Woodville on July 12 over 1m, on a wet track, 5.5 len behind Happy Star with 152lbs at $5.10. Capable of better showing. Ready to bounce back to winning form. 3rd Pick 2 Dictation Jockey: M Gillies Trainer: P Nelson & C Mcdougal J: M Gillies T: P Nelson & C Mcdougal	121	-	-	-	17%
Analysis Impressive in recent runs. Last outing finished third of 7 starters at this track on August 1 over 1 ¹5/16m, on rain affected going, 2.25 len behind Affordable with 152lbs at $4.10. Before that finished fourth of 8 starters at Woodville on July 12 over 1m, on a wet track, 5.5 len behind Happy Star with 152lbs at $5.10. Capable of better showing. Ready to bounce back to winning form.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Firm

A dry turf course, equal to a ‘fast’ dirt track.

Minus Pool

A pari-mutuel pool – typically a show pool - where one horse is so heavily bet that after deductions there is not enough money left to cover the prescribed minimum on each bet.

Blinkers

A hood worn on a horse’s head to limit side vision, which can improve concentration. Blinkers are added or removed to relax a horse or give it more focus.