NZ - Riccarton - Race 5

Thoroughbred

20 Runners

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 7

15.1K

VIEW

R10

R11

Verdict

NOVELETTE (15) finished third in her South Island debut here 3 weeks ago over this trip from a tough gate. She is peaking at the right time and will start from a superior gate this time. On top for us. OUR SALLYANN (9) just battled on the heavy ground second up from a spell here 11 days ago over 7f, finishing seventh after finishing fourth fresh up at Kumara before that. She will be spot on for this assignment, and in a modest field, she can bounce back into form. Each way. RABBIT HOLE (6) raced close to the pace, and ran on late to finish second less than a length from the winner here 3 weeks ago. She cops a tougher gate this time, but will continue to improve with racing, and she can figure in the top 4 again. Stick with her. GROUSE (7) showed ability in 2 starts on the poly track here last season, and she will be a lot stronger this year. She won a recent Ashburton trial, and she will be ready to rumble fresh up. FUTURE POSITIVE (16) has rough top 4 claims in this field.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
15	Third-up today. Resuming second last of 8 at New Plymouth Raceway on December 27 over 5 ½f, slow going 7 len behind Zimomo carrying 121lbs at $10.10. Second-up 3rd of 15 at this track on January 14 over 6f, slow going 1.3 len behind Aurora Storm with 121lbs at $9.40. Cherry-ripe now and sure to be very competitive. 1st Pick 15 Novelette Jockey: Bruno Queiroz Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Bruno Queiroz T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	106	-	-	-	34%
Analysis Third-up today. Resuming second last of 8 at New Plymouth Raceway on December 27 over 5 ½f, slow going 7 len behind Zimomo carrying 121lbs at $10.10. Second-up 3rd of 15 at this track on January 14 over 6f, slow going 1.3 len behind Aurora Storm with 121lbs at $9.40. Cherry-ripe now and sure to be very competitive.
9	Third-up today. First-up eased back early on 4th of 8 at Kumara on January 10 over 5 ¾f, on a slow track, 4 len behind Steezy with 127lbs at $9.50. Second run from a spell raced behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 11 at this track on January 24 over 7f, on a wet track, 9 len behind Quintain carrying 118lbs at $8.30. Well placed and can improve sharply on recent runs. 2nd Pick 9 Our Sallyann Jockey: Tina Comignaghi Trainer: Michael & Matthew Pitman J: Tina Comignaghi T: Michael & Matthew Pitman	95	-	-	-	10%
Analysis Third-up today. First-up eased back early on 4th of 8 at Kumara on January 10 over 5 ¾f, on a slow track, 4 len behind Steezy with 127lbs at $9.50. Second run from a spell raced behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 11 at this track on January 24 over 7f, on a wet track, 9 len behind Quintain carrying 118lbs at $8.30. Well placed and can improve sharply on recent runs.
6	Second run back. First-up after 10 months 2nd of 15 at this track on January 14 over 6f, on a slow track, 0.7 len behind Aurora Storm carrying 125lbs at $29.70. Previously second-up 8th of 10 at Ashburton on April 3 over 7f, slow going 5.5 len behind Winter Blaze with 125lbs at $46.60. Looks hard to beat. 3rd Pick 6 Rabbit Hole Jockey: Kylie Williams Trainer: Meghann Gestain J: Kylie Williams T: Meghann Gestain	98	-	-	-	11%	Scratched
Analysis Second run back. First-up after 10 months 2nd of 15 at this track on January 14 over 6f, on a slow track, 0.7 len behind Aurora Storm carrying 125lbs at $29.70. Previously second-up 8th of 10 at Ashburton on April 3 over 7f, slow going 5.5 len behind Winter Blaze with 125lbs at $46.60. Looks hard to beat.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Fast

A dry dirt track that is typically an ideal racing surface.

Paddock

The area where horses gather before the race to be saddled and paraded for the public.

Exacta

A bet selecting the first and second horses in a race in the correct order. An exacta box refers to paying a little more to ensure they can finish in either order.