Ballarat Preview & Best Bets - Friday September 30
New Zealand Preview & Best Bets – Saturday October 1
New Zealand Tips 01/10/2022
Our form expert provides New Zealand tips for today’s horse racing at both Hastings and Riccarton Racecourses and gives his best bets.
HASTINGS
BEST BET 🏆
Race 7: No.13 LA CRIQUE ($2.50 with bet365)
The Matamata-based LA CRIQUE brings a very impressive resume here and second-up looks set to pounce. Last start, the Vadamos mare resumed from a lengthy seven-month absence when she impressed on fresh legs by finishing third in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy over 1400m. With Craig Grylls aboard, she ran home gamely to finish less than two lengths behind the winner. Ideally drawn in gate three here and already a winner when second-up, the four-year-old is drawn to improve on that first-up run and looks the goods here.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 4: No.6 OLD TOWN ROAD ($3.40 with BlueBet)
Second-up here, Lisa Latta saddles-up OLD TOWN ROAD who is a track specialist and looks set for back-to-back victories here. Last start, the El Roca gelding came off a 13-week spell and on his fresh legs, finished too strong for them and took the honours in a BM75 Hcp, here over 1200m. He steps-up to Open company here and sees the 1300m for the first time, however he has Lisa Allpress back on board who has steered the galloper to three wins and three runner-up finishes from her ten previous rides and already a winner when second-up, he looks a real threat to these.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 1: No.2 CHARMS STAR ($5 with Ladbrokes)
The Lisa Latta-trained CHARMS STAR is second-up here and boasting a strong record, looks in the mix. Last start, the Per Incanto mare was fresh off a lengthy 20-week break when she finished mid-field in an Open company Hcp over the mile at Te Rapa. She steps up on distance here and from four previous second-up starts, she boasts a win and two runner-up finishes. Lisa Allpress has the reins today and with the mare already a winner at this distance, she will take beating in this contest.
RICCARTON
BEST BET 🏆
Race 5: No.7 PERFECTLY SUITED ($3.80 with Unibet)
The Kennedy & Furlong-trained PERFECTLY SUITED hasn’t missed a top-two finish yet and second-up here, could take some beating. Last start, the Savile Row filly came off a six-month absence and beat all but one to the line in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes, here over 1200m. She drew gate 13 (of 14) that day and could still see them all passing the 400m mark. Blocked for a run most of the way, Samantha Wynne finally got clear inside the last 150m where she stormed home to grab that second prize on the line. Much better drawn in gate three here, Wynne sticks with her and with a run closer to the fence (with cover), she can only improve on that first-up effort and should prove hard to hold out here.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 9: No.2 ASATHOUGHT ($6 with Palmerbet)
The Lisa Vaughan-trained ASATHOUGHT has two starts under her belt this preparation and should now to ready peak. Last start, the So You Think mare settled mid-field early and didn’t improve much from there, finishing mid-field in the NZ Cup Trial, here over 1800m. She was second-up that day with Jason Laking aboard. She is a winner when third-up and has a victory over this trip as well. Laking sticks with her here and with a little luck from her wide gate, she can figure in the finish.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 7: No.6 PHELAN THE POWER ($10 with BlueBet)
The Mark Jones-trained PHELAN THE POWER couldn’t put a foot wrong last campaign and second-up, looks a real threat at odds. Last start, the Power gelding got this preparation off to a horror start with jockey Terry Moseley losing his (foot) irons and was dislodged after travelling 200 metres. The five-year-old racked-up seven-straight top-two finishes last preparation before having the sequence end when finishing fifth, here in the Listed Easter Cup over the mile. His return to the track (this time in) wasn’t glorious but he gets the chance here to make amends for that unlucky incident. Tayla Mitchell has the reins here and after the claim, the galloper comes in carrying 2kgs under the limit. With a trouble-free run here, he can get the job done.
