New Zealand Tips 12/11/2022

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

RICCARTON

ANCHOR  BET ⚓

Race 7:  No.1  LEGARTO  ($1.45 with bet365)

Unbeaten in three career starts to date, the Ken & Bev Kelso-trained LEGARTO looks the testing material here and will take a ton of beating. Last start, the Proisir filly capped off her preparation for this with a crushing performance, taking out the Group 3 Soliloquy Stakes over 1400m at Te Rapa. Embarrassing her opposition that day, the filly settled last and four wide before making a move passing the 8700m mark. Circling the field, she was the widest runner on straightening and despite covering so much extras ground, she took over inside the final 200m and put three lengths on them across the line. On that performance, she would have to do a lot wrong here to lose this one.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 9:  No.6  BUOYANT  ($5.50 with bet365)

The Sabin Kirkland-trained BUOYANT is a track specialist and lining-up nicely at the weights, looks right in the mix. Last start, the Dalghar gelding did well to finish third in the Listed Pegasus Stakes, here over the 1000m sprint. Third-up that day, that was his fourth podium finish in as many starts at the track. Michael McNab gets his first ride on the galloper here and boasting such good stats, the four-year-old should take beating in this contest.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 4:  No.7  ROCK SENSATION  $5.50 with bet365)

Team Pitman saddle-up ROCK SENSATION here who is second-up and looks ready to win. Last start, the Rock ‘n’ Pop gelding resumed off a lengthy 31-week absence when he beat all but one home in Open company over 1400m at Wingatui. Back on home soil here, his resume reads 15 starts at the track for four wins so he knows where the winning post is at. Diego Montes De Oca retains the ride in a similar class of runners. Already a winner when second-up, he should take beating in this contest.

TAURANGA

BEST BET 🏆

Race 8:  No.1  PRISE DE FER  ($4.80 with BlueBet)

The Mark Waker-trained PRISE DE FER is now four starts into this preparation and couldn’t be fitter as he stakes his claim for yet another black-type victory here. Last start, he lined-up in the Group 1 Livamol Classic over 2040m at Hastings. Facing a heavy track for the first time ever, it proved too much for him as he finished mid-field, unable to handle the conditions. A soft (5) track is forecast for Saturday where he has managed 13 podium finishes (including four wins) which will suit him down to the ground and now rock-hard fit he looks to play a major in the outcome here.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 1:  No.9  SEDAKA  ($7 with Unibet)

The Stephen Marsh-trained SEDAKA didn’t take long to learn what its all about and looks a genuine chance of going back-to-back here. Last start, the well-bred Savabeel filly was having her second race start when she comfortably won her Maiden, here over 1400m. with Craig Grylls aboard, she crossed the line more than a length ahead of the 12-strong field. Well drawn here in gate five, she has the track and distance experience behind her now and fitter for those first two runs, she looks great value (currently) at $7 for this contest and is well worth a ticket.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 4:  No.1  IS THAT SO  ($8 with Palmerbet)

The very promising IS THAT SO lines-up here looking for win number five and based on his current achievements, he looks poised to make it happen. Last start, the Sufficient gelding bounced back to the winner’s circle by taking out a BM88 over 1200m at Trentham. That was his fourth win in six career starts and his fifth-straight podium finish this preparation. He gets good weight relief from a 3kg claim here as he drops sharply in grade and with that in mind, he looks good value here at (currently) $8 with some agencies. If you can get a piece of that action, you would be doing well.