New Zealand Tips for Saturday, September 2

Our form expert provides New Zealand tips for today’s horse racing at Riccarton Park and Wanganui Racecourses and gives his best bets.

RICCARTON  PARK

BEST BET 🏆

Race 1:  No.9  LOQUITA  ($3.80 with Ladbrokes)

The Lyn Prendergast-trained LOQUITA is in great form this preparation and coming in on the limit here, looks a genuine winning chance in this contest. Last start, the Shocking mare had no luck at all when finishing third in a BM75, here over 2000m. With Kylie Williams aboard, she was held-up several times in the run home and once finally clear, ran home strongly, finishing sandwiched between the first two over the line. She drops back in distance today and has Williams sticking with her after already steering her to victory, here four starts back. The six-year-old (daughter of a Melbourne Cup winner) is as honest as they come and is capable of taking this one out.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7:  No.5  TARAMEA LAD  ($4.60 with Palmerbet)

The Gore-based TARAMEA LAD drops sharply in grade here and looks set to bounce back in this contest. Last start, the American-sired gelding was shooting for the hat-trick when he faced his first black-type challenge and was unable to go with them, finishing worse than mid-field in the Group 3 Winter Cup, here over the mile. Kylie Williams has been aboard for the galloper’s past four starts and back against BM87 company here, she sticks with him again. He gets the gun-run from gate one and already a two-time winner at the track and successful three times over the mile, he gets the chance to return to the winner’s circle in this event.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 5:  No.4  AMBERECHO  ($6 with Neds)

The Team Parsons-trained AMBERECHO resumes off a lengthy 21-week absence here but sporting a strong fresh record, looks in the mix in this event. Last start, the Echoes Of Heaven mare ended her last campaign by finishing fourth in the Francolin Stks over 1400m at Riverton. Six starts here have ended with a win and five minor placings so she is familiar with the Riccarton track. After the claim, she goes to the gates on the limit with just 54kgs to carry and already a two-time winner when first-up, she can give this contest a real shake.

 WANGANUI

BEST BET 🏆

Race 6:  No.5  ROCKET SCIENCE  ($4.60 with Ladbrokes)

All boxes look ticked here for the Bryce Revell-trained ROCKET SCIENCE who is third-up today and looks the best of the day. Last start, the Keano gelding was never on the track (after drawing the outside gate) and finished the race down the centre of the track. He did well to finish fourth, beaten less than three lengths on the line. He fared much better at the barrier draw today as he leaves from gate three here and maps to settle just off the pace with plenty of cover. Four starts at the track and distance have resulted in two wins and as many runner-up finishes. Lisa Allpress has steered him to two wins from her three previous rides and has the reins for today’s assignment. Already a winner when third-up, he will take beating here.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 2:  No.2  COCKTAIL LAD  ($4.65 with BoomBet)

The Anna Clement-trained COCKTAIL LAD is three starts into this preparation and current form suggests he will take beating here. Last start, the Irish-bred gelding came off a good win over the mile at Otaki when he finished a game third in a BM65 Hcp, stepping up to 2000m at New Plymouth. Lemmy Douglas was aboard on both occasions and after steering the galloper to both career wins to date, sticks with him here for today’s assignment. He faces similar company here and both career wins have come on heavy tracks so conditions look ideal for him. Already a track and distance winner and at peak fitness here, he is a main contender for the prize in this contest.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.1  ITZA CHARMDEEL  ($4.80 with bet365)

Trained by the Roger James & Robert Wellwood partnership, ITZA CHARMDEEL took next to no time in finding his feet and looks well placed here to bring up the hat-trick today. Last start, the Charm Spirit gelding had just his third race-start and coming off a big maiden win at Arawa Park, made it two-straight when he took out the Listed Ryder Stakes over 1200m at Otaki. Both victories were achieved on heavy tracks, making today’s forecast Heavy 10 ideal for him. Lisa Allpress gets her first ride on the youngster here and with a trouble-free run, the three-year-old looks right in the mix for victory number three today.