New Zealand Winter Cup betting futures, form and free race tips

Nashville
Eight-year-old Nashville has been sent out at incorrect odds for the 2017 Winter Cup in New Zealand and punters could take advantage. Photo: NZ Racing Desk

THE Group 3 Winter Cup doesn’t hold an elite status like some other races on the calendar, but it’s one of the most popular betting races in New Zealand.

The 120th edition runs at Riccarton Park on August 5 and now is the best time to find value betting on the futures markets.

We have picked out our best value picks with form and updated odds for the mid-winter feature which includes some of New Zealand’s most iconic wet weather thoroughbreds.

Global Tote at Topbetta

Winter Cup top pick – Nashville

Punters will see the odds listed at $12 with most bookmakers, but Sportsbet.com.au failed to see its run at New Plymouth on Sunday and haven’t adjusted its odds.

The multiple group one winner firmed in from $41 to $12, but Sportsbet is offering its original quote of $41 and that makes us happy.

The rising nine-year-old hasn’t won in awhile, but it had the flashing light shining bright on Sunday when storming home for second behind Longchamp at New Plymouth and that indicated that Nashville is back to its brilliant best.

The Harry and Adrian Bull-trained runner returns to Riccarton Park where it has tasted success at the highest level and now that it has matured further, the rain-affected tracks will continue to assist its winning chances.

Connections are persisting with using claiming rider Kate Cowan, who is co-trainer Harry Bull’s girlfriend, but hopefully a senior rider is on board in the Winter Cup and punters could be signing the praises of Nashville once again.

The $41 at Sportsbet is a misstep by the bookmaker and punters should jump on.

Winter Cup next best – Our Bandit

Our Bandit is the rising star of winter racing in New Zealand and it’s currently the top pick at $6.50 with bookmakers.

The Peter McKenzie-trained four-year-old has won five of its nine career starts to date and four of those wins have come on rain-affected tracks.

The son of Irish stallion Bushranger has yet to run at Riccarton Park, but its form at Trentham suggests it will handle the wider track.

Its only defeat in its last five starts came behind weight-for-age type Prince Mambo on a dead track and that run should be overlooked as the conditions didn’t suit the quality winter type.

Our Bandit hasn’t started longer than $4.20 at its last eight starts after starting as a $26 chance on debut in February. It has come a long way since then and a Winter Cup isn’t the easiest race to win in a first preparation, but it has the class on its side.

$6.50 at Sportsbet.com.au is likely to be a much better price than what will be offered on the day.

Winter Cup long shot – Taurus

Taurus isn’t the most exciting horse running around in New Zealand, but it never lacks quality in races such as the Winter Cup.

In fact, Taurus finished third in the 2016 Winter Cup and although it hasn’t won for over a year, it has been producing solid efforts and looks fighting fit for Riccarton Park in two weeks time.

The Evan and J.J. Rayner-trained eight-year-old has form around some of New Zealand’s best weight-for-age types and conditions will likely suit the son of No Excuse Needed down to a tee.

It has had an incredible 41 starts on rain-affected tracks so fitness in the wet won’t be a problem and it has finished in the money on 17 of those occasions.

Taurus won’t be the most glamorous Winter Cup selection, but the $18 on offer is a fair price.

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