NZ - Riccarton - Race 3

Thoroughbred

9 Runners

Unknown

Turf

SOFT 5

22.7K

VIEW

Verdict

ZAFAR (1) was surprisingly beaten as a warn favourite fresh up here 4 weeks ago when finding 5f a touch too sharp. He will relish the extra 1f, and if he wants to be considered a chance in some richer assignments later in the spring, then he will want to be winning this. FRAUDSTER (2) made it 2 wins in a row on his home track at Ruakaka this season, and his trainer has a terrific record when campaigning his team on this track. The hat-trick beckons. ENCHANTMENT (3) needed the run fresh up when finishing fifth here 4 weeks ago, and a trial since then would have further improved her condition. Stick with her for all top 4 combos. OMEGA SPRINT (4) looks very promising with 2 trials wins on the bounce at Ashburton, and if not too green, he can make his presence felt on debut, especially from the coveted pole position. LUMINOSITY (6) weakened out of it last time out, and she will have no fitness excuses third up from a spell, so allow her another chance.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
1	Third race start. Promising on debut as favourite, won by 0.9 len in the LR CJC Champagne Stakes at this track on May 2 over 6f on a soft track defeating Cool As Bling carrying 126lbs at $1.80. Returned from break 4th of 10 at this track on August 29 over 5f, on heavy track, 4.5 len behind Outback Girl with 128lbs at $2. Fitter and rates highly. 1st Pick 1 Zafar Jockey: Kyle Wilson-Taylor Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	134	-	-	-	48%	11/10
Analysis Third race start. Promising on debut as favourite, won by 0.9 len in the LR CJC Champagne Stakes at this track on May 2 over 6f on a soft track defeating Cool As Bling carrying 126lbs at $1.80. Returned from break 4th of 10 at this track on August 29 over 5f, on heavy track, 4.5 len behind Outback Girl with 128lbs at $2. Fitter and rates highly.
2	Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently favourite, won by a 0.4 len at Ruakaka on September 2 over 7f on a soft track defeating Chicago Jack with 125lbs at $3. Before that favourite, won by 2.75 len at Ruakaka on August 15 over 6f in soft going defeating Miesha carrying 119lbs at $5.20. Key runner and should be in the finish. 2nd Pick 2 Fraudster Jockey: Jack Taplin Trainer: Kenny Rae J: Jack Taplin T: Kenny Rae	113	-	-	-	27%	11/4
Analysis Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently favourite, won by a 0.4 len at Ruakaka on September 2 over 7f on a soft track defeating Chicago Jack with 125lbs at $3. Before that favourite, won by 2.75 len at Ruakaka on August 15 over 6f in soft going defeating Miesha carrying 119lbs at $5.20. Key runner and should be in the finish.
3	Second-up. First-up after four months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 10 at this track on August 29 over 5f, on heavy track, 5.5 len behind Outback Girl with 123lbs at $9. Previously second-up won by 0.8 len in the LR Welcome Stakes at this track on April 11 over 5f in soft going defeating Never Too Much carrying 121lbs at $3.20. Rates a top 4 hope and expected to finish much closer. 3rd Pick 3 Enchantment Jockey: Hayley Hassman Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Hayley Hassman T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	125	-	-	-	19%	9/2
Analysis Second-up. First-up after four months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 10 at this track on August 29 over 5f, on heavy track, 5.5 len behind Outback Girl with 123lbs at $9. Previously second-up won by 0.8 len in the LR Welcome Stakes at this track on April 11 over 5f in soft going defeating Never Too Much carrying 121lbs at $3.20. Rates a top 4 hope and expected to finish much closer.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Scratch

A horse is a scratch when injury or other necessity causes it to be withdrawn from the race.

Rabbit

Also known as a pacemaker; this is a horse with no expected chance of winning but is used to prompt a quick pace on the front end of the race to the benefit of a stablemate who is a closer.

Overlay

A horse going off at higher odds than his recent efforts show that he deserves.