Top New Zealand racing tips for Pukekohe and Riccarton, August 12
RACING in New Zealand is being staged at Pukekohe in the North Island and Riccarton Park in the South Island this Saturday.
We have free tips, form and updated odds for our best New Zealand bets of the weekend where the $75,000 Grand National Steeplechase is the feature event.
Conditions couldn’t be any different with Pukekohe experiencing some fine weather this week to dry out what should be a dead/slow track and Riccarton is expected to be in the heavy range, which should suit most of the winter gallopers that are hanging around.
For the best odds on New Zealand racing, sign up with Topbetta.com.au which will give you $150 in bonus bets with only a $50 deposit.
Pukekohe Race 2 – Avant
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1137473_02]
Avant is a four-year-old mare which has had 11 starts for six placings.
The Peter and Dawn Williams-trained runner looked to have the race parcelled up at Te Rapa last start when it swept to the lead halfway down the straight, but it just came to the end of its run after travelling three wide throughout.
It steps up in distance for this which should be suitable and it gets an inside draw. Horses rarely course wide at Pukekohe, so drawing the rails will be an assist and Avant is capable of finally getting out of maiden grades.
Pukekohe Race 4 – Liquid Inspiration
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1137473_04]
We tipped Liquid Inspiration to win a fortnight ago when it finished second at Rotorua and despite rising in grade for this, it shouldn’t find it any harder.
The Wayne Hillis-trained six-year-old is a lightly-tried type which scored consecutive wins to open its career before running 2.8 lengths behind the talented Hello M’Lady last time out.
The daughter of Iffraaj is bred to handle all conditions so the rating won’t bother it and having Shaun McKay in the saddle at 55kg is a big help. McKay is a noted front-running jockey so expect him to take Liquid Inspiration forward from barrier five where it will be tough to run down.
Punters will get a good each way price with Topbetta.com.au.
Pukekohe Race 6 – Kamikaze Rebel
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1137473_06]
We were elated when Kamikaze Rebel scored its maiden win for Tracey Lammas at Tauranga last season and despite a poor run last time out, we believe it can turn its form around.
The son of Alamosa took nine starts to notch its first win after multiple placings against some nice types, but it didn’t handle the conditions at Te Rapa last start and returning back to a right-handed track should help its cause.
Its best performances have come on rain handed tracks, such as Ellerslie, Tauranga and Avondale – with Pukekohe being very similar to all three. Cameron Lammas jumps back on board to replace the injury Darren Danis and that should help.
The big field should see Kamikaze Rebel get out to double figure odds with bookmakers.
Riccarton Race 2 – Jackfrost
Jackfrost is running at the right time of the year and this top jumping prospect gave them all a chill when presented on Wednesday.
The seven-year-old grey is seeking back-to-back wins within three days after winning by nine lengths over a similar field on Wednesday. That performance was a one-sided race and despite getting a penalty in the weights, it looks hard to stop.
That was its first try over the hurdles for the in-form Anderton team and it proved the magic formula given that it finished some 15 lengths behind the winner in a flat race at Timaru prior to that.
Sir Ritchie could pose a threat after a similar maiden hurdle win, but Jackfrost has the momentum in its favour and it’s worth backing at Sportsbet.com.au.
Riccarton Race 5 – Scapolo
Scapolo was absolutely butchered by apprentice jockey Sarah MacNab at Riccarton last Saturday and it could make amends for favourite punters.
The winner of 17 races was kept in behind the speed and it never got a crack at them in the straight. A more aggressive ride would have got the job done, but punters can look forward to getting the $2.60 available with bookmakers on this occasion.
The eight-year-old might not be contesting the bigger races in New Zealand any more, but it still possess plenty of ability and a lethal sprint on its day. It has won six times on this track and regardless of what jockey is placed on its back, it should come down the outside from barrier nine and stay out of trouble.
Winter Cup winner Nashville is also in the race, but it drops back in distance and it may have already run its grand final.
Riccarton Race 7 – The Big Opal
The Big Opal couldn’t have been more impressive in winning at Riccarton last start and it’s looking to make amends for losing in this race as the favourite last year.
The Kevin Myers-trained runner was leading the 5600m race before slipping at the 1200m where the jockey lost his irons and subsequently fell over the last jump.
Its 5.5-length win last start signalled its return to the big time and it showed good fight in the tough conditions.
The query is whether it will see out the distance, but Shaun Fannin is a quality rider and he knows when to pull the trigger in races of this nature.
We’re expecting the $1.90 at Bet365.com to remain steady throughout the day.