Rockhampton Preview & Best Bets – 27/10/2023
New Zealand Preview & Best Bets – 28/10/2023
New Zealand Tips for Saturday, October 28
Our form expert provides New Zealand tips for today’s horse racing at Pukekohe and Riccarton and gives his best bets.
PUKEKOHE PARK
BEST BET 🏆
Race 2: No.5 PETRUCCI ($2.30 with BoomBet)
The Walker & Bergerson Team saddle-up PETRUCCI here who is second-up today and looks well placed to continue the good work. Last start, the I Am Invincible mare was fresh off a lengthy 23-week break which took nothing off her as she destroyed her rivals in a BM75 over 1200m at Matamata. From gate 12 (of 13), she settled near mid-field (one off the fence) and on straightening, found her finishing gear quickly as Craig Grylls steered her to victory, putting almost two lengths on them over the line. That’s three wins from her five starts to date and Grylls sticks with her for this assignment. She gets the gun-run today in gate one and already a winner when second-up, she looks the pick of the crop in this contest.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 3: No.5 DAZZLED ($4.20 with Bet Right)
Second-up today, the Lance Noble-trained DAZZLED did enough on fresh legs to suggest she can go back-to-back today. Last start, the Pierro mare resumed off a six-month absence and made it look easy when she broke through for her maiden win over 1200m at Tauranga. Slowly away from gate nine (of 11), she settled back in the field and spotted the leaders some eight lengths to the turn. Fanning very wide as the cornered, she found the middle of the track and stormed home to get there in time, with plenty in reserve. She is much better drawn today in gate three and fitter for that first-up effort, she should prove hard to hold out here.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 7: No.3 COGNITO ($5 with BlueBet)
The Matamata-based galloper COGNITO is third-up today and her first two runs back suggest she is ready to win now. Last start, the So You Think gelding was slowly away and ran the race three-wide most of the way. He fanned even wider on the turn and was travelling well when he was passed by the (eventual) winner (Hi Yo Sass Bomb) who proved too good on the day, while Cognito still hit the line well and grabbed third prize in the end. Today, Niranjan Parmar returns for the ride, having ridden him to his maiden win on debut. The four-year-old has drawn wide here in gate 12 but will settled back in the field anyway and already a winner when third-up, watch for a late finish from him today.
RICCARTON PARK
BEST BET 🏆
Race 9: No.4 SECOND THOUGHT ($4.80 with bet365)
The Kennedy & Furlong-trained SECOND THOUGHT ticks all the boxes here that suggest she will take a ton of beating in this contest today. Last start, the Ghibellines mare was second-up when she beat all but one home in the Ashburton Cup over 1600m. She box-seated to the turn then took over with the eventual winner (Double O’ Seven) and only her lack of condition beat her that day as she weakened over the final 100m, taking home the silver medal on the day. She is already a two-time winner when third-up and boasts three wins from four attempts at the track and distance. Sam Weatherley pilots the mare for the first time and from gate four, she maps to be right on their heels from the outset. She should be rock-hard fit and ready to pounce today.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 6: No.6 SIR ALBERT ($2.95 with BoomBet)
The Terri Rae-trained SIR ALBERT is in great touch this time in and looks well placed here to make it four-straight podium finishes today. Last start, the Savabeel gelding came off a good win here in BM65 company when he stepped-up in grade and wasn’t disgraced, taking home third prize in a BM75 Hcp, here over the mile on a Heavy 9 that day. His best efforts to date are on top of the ground so conditions here are favourable for him with a forecast Good 4 to race on. Lisa Allpress is the pilot, having ridden the four-year-old three times previously. Ideally drawn in gate two today, he ticks enough boxes here to be considered a real threat to this field.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 7: No.3 BURN TO SHINE ($6 with Palmerbet)
The Stephen Marsh-trained BURN TO SHINE is yet to run a bad race and down in class here, looks a genuine winning chance today. Last start, the So You Think gelding was third-up and did well to grab third prize in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas over 1400m at Hastings. The Heavy 9 took its toll that day as he tried to lead all the way, but found a couple better in the run home. He makes his Riccarton Park debut today and steps up to the 1600m for the first time as well but seems to have plenty of upside, finding the podium in all five starts to date. Jonathon Parkes is aboard for the first time and from gate two today, he should prove hard to catch.
