Riccarton Race 1
10 Age Of Discovery
Expensive well-bred colt on debut out of the Te Akau yard who is likely on a path to the 2000 Guineas. His two trials this time in have been very good, with Opie Bosson partnering him in the latest of those. Should be making his debut a winning one.

Riccarton Race 2
3 That's Charming
I thought the two Te Akau runners were well found in what looks a very open race for mine. Although That's Charming has arguably done his better racing on the Synthetic track, he has put in the occasional performance on the turf that would suggest he could go close in a race of this quality. He was back and had no luck in the home straight here last start. If the right version of him shows up, he can run a race at odds.

Riccarton Race 3
4 Lombardi
I thought he went enormous against the race pattern last start, where he got a long way back in a moderately run race. While he does map to get back again from the outside gate (11), I thought the additional 200m and Soft7/Heavy8 track conditions could aid his chances here.

Riccarton Race 4
4 Retail Therapy
Tip of The Day
Retail Therapy has been exceptional in her two runs this campaign, where she has shown a scintillating turn of speed on both Good4 and Heavy8 tracks. The step up to 1600m here should only be to her liking, while Tina Comignaghi stays aboard. Expect her to get back and charging over the top late.

Riccarton Race 5
4 Cork
Cork went much better than I thought she was entitled to last start, where she looked to be unsuited by the firmer track conditions on paper. This time, she maps to settle closer and I'd expect that she will get a surface closer to her preferred conditions on Saturday. Looks to be slightly over the odds for mine.

Riccarton Race 6
3 Third Decree
Third Decree went a massive race first-up here over 1000m, where she was wide throughout and was outkicked late by Mystic Park. She looks much better placed here second-up, given she now carries 57kg steps up to 1200m and should get a great drag across the field early with Spartan drawn two gates to her inner. Clearly rates as the one they have to beat for mine.

Riccarton Race 7
3 About Last Night
She was a significant market drifter yet ran a very good race for 2nd behind stablemate and race rival, The Victress. I think the key for About Last Night here is that senior jockey (and a very good one at that) in the form of Warren Kennedy takes the reins here as she was green and wobbling about under pressure last start. She looks a great 1×3 each way prospect for mine.

Riccarton Race 8
7 Sprocket Rocket
Sprocket Rocket powered through the line here last start over 1800m, after only clearing traffic late in proceedings. She looks to get a very similar setup here in the same grade and we're now getting a better price. The only concern I would have is if the track slips into the Heavy range, as she typically does her best racing on Good/Soft surfaces.

Riccarton Race 9
17 El Viento
I was with El Viento first-up in the South Island, where he was back and wide in a race that suited those closer to the fence. There's a lot in his favour to suggest an improved run can be expected here; Warren Kennedy now jumps aboard, draws low in gate 5 and also steps up to 1400m now second-up.