NZ - Riccarton - Race 2

Thoroughbred

13 Runners

Benchmark

Turf

GOOD 4

15.1K

VIEW

R10

R11

Verdict

FREEDOM REINS (10) had to work a touch too hard on a heavy track from a wide gate here 11 days ago, and is better off over a mile. She has a superior gate here and is worth another chance in this sort of field. GAME DUKE (7) has found it hard to win another race, and he is not the most reliable gelding. If he can repeat his last start third at Ashburton, then he can figure in the finish here. RUBY SUNRISE (11) did not have much luck on the West Coast circuit, and should be close to her peak fitness fourth up from a spell. She benefits from a 7lbs claim and is worth including in all top 4 combos to be safe. ORSOME DUDE (4) was a bold runner-up here 3 weeks ago, but he seldom puts together 2 good runs in a row these days. Stick with him in this field.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
1	Dual acceptor. Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 2nd of 13 at Phar Lap Racecourse on December 28 over 6f, on a slow track, 3 len behind Our Clarry carrying 126lbs at $14.80. Second-up 8th of 15 at this track on January 14 over 7f, on a slow track, 4.5 len behind Miss Emerald carrying 129lbs at $4.20. Well placed. Terrific chance to return to form. 1st Pick 1 Purple Prose Jockey: Non Runner Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Non Runner T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	110	-	-	-	23%	Scratched
Analysis Dual acceptor. Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 2nd of 13 at Phar Lap Racecourse on December 28 over 6f, on a slow track, 3 len behind Our Clarry carrying 126lbs at $14.80. Second-up 8th of 15 at this track on January 14 over 7f, on a slow track, 4.5 len behind Miss Emerald carrying 129lbs at $4.20. Well placed. Terrific chance to return to form.
10	At the latest run sat on the speed throughout before fading 14th of 18 at this track on January 24 over 1m, in the wet, 16 len behind Flamboyance carrying 118lbs at $54. The race before that second last of 12 at Omoto on January 4 over 7 ½f, slow going 15 len behind Captain Upham carrying 122lbs at $11. Tough to beat if near her best. 2nd Pick 10 Freedom Reins Jockey: Akshay Balloo Trainer: Andrew Carston J: Akshay Balloo T: Andrew Carston	82	-	-	-	8%	12/1
Analysis At the latest run sat on the speed throughout before fading 14th of 18 at this track on January 24 over 1m, in the wet, 16 len behind Flamboyance carrying 118lbs at $54. The race before that second last of 12 at Omoto on January 4 over 7 ½f, slow going 15 len behind Captain Upham carrying 122lbs at $11. Tough to beat if near her best.
7	Returns from a 42-day let-up. Last start 3rd of 13 at Ashburton on December 24 over 7f, slow going 0.8 len behind Flower Moon with 121lbs at $7.50. Before that 5th of 13 at Cromwell on November 30 over 7f, 2.75 len behind Quick Tap with 125lbs at $5.90. Has ability and is expected to run well. 3rd Pick 7 Game Duke Jockey: Kendra Bakker Trainer: Len & Lacy Stewart J: Kendra Bakker T: Len & Lacy Stewart	116	-	-	-	16%	11/2
Analysis Returns from a 42-day let-up. Last start 3rd of 13 at Ashburton on December 24 over 7f, slow going 0.8 len behind Flower Moon with 121lbs at $7.50. Before that 5th of 13 at Cromwell on November 30 over 7f, 2.75 len behind Quick Tap with 125lbs at $5.90. Has ability and is expected to run well.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Also Eligible

A horse that is entered but does not draw into the body of the field due to too many entries, and thus is not permitted to start unless there are enough scratches to shrink the field size.

Show Wager

Betting on a horse to finish in the first three spots, which pays out the same whether they win or run second or third.

Main Track Only

A horse entered for main track only (MTO) is one hoping the weather forecast or track conditions will move the race off the turf course and onto the main track. They are scratched the morning of the race if the conditions stay dry.