Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New Zealand · Thursday 20 August 2026
Our top pick won 1 of 6 races at Riccarton Park Synthetic. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
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Cocomora is the only runner in this field with meaningful placed form, holding an 8:0-1-2 record against rivals who have managed just one minor placing between them across 33 starts. The 182-day freshen and lack of synthetic experience are legitimate risks, but the class edge in a genuinely weak maiden is decisive.
Hold'em Ransom draws the inside gate in a small field, which matters at Riccarton Synthetic where position at the 400m is the primary reference point and early races on the card favour saving ground.
Not A Doubt is the unknown quantity, with no form, no jockey listed and no trainer profile available. Barrier 2 gives an economical run at a track where holding a spot into the bend is the key. It rates a genuine each-way risk in a weak race, but the complete lack of verifiable evidence caps confidence firmly.
Barrier 3 is a genuine improvement after a preparation of wide draws, and the minimum weight of 55.5kg with the claim helps.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Hold''em Ransom | 1 | Amber Riddell | Sandra Cunningham | 58.5kg | $4.30 |
| 2nd | 5 | Vienna Game | 5 | Bridget Grylls | Anna Furlong | 56.5kg | $21.40 |
| 3rd | 6 | Harlows Pride | 4 | Masahiro Hashizume | N R Mitchell | 56.5kg | $14.10 |
| 4th | 4 | Cocomora | 6 | Jasmine Fawcett | Anna Furlong | 56.5kg | $1.50 |
| 5th | 7 | White Palace | 7 | Corey Campbell | Lisa Young | 56.5kg | $25.80 |
| 6th | 3 | Not A Doubt | 2 | Terry Moseley | D Medcalfe | 58.5kg | $9.30 |
| 7th | 2 | Illusionist | 3 | Ashlee Strawbridge | Brenna Cook | 55.5kg | $14.90 |
The most proven synthetic performer in a weak maiden. At 53.5kg she carries 5kg less than the topweights, is race-fit third-up in the prep, and maps to be handy at the 400m — the profile this track rewards.
A lightly raced 3yo from a powerful stable, drawn on the fence at a track where the 400m position decides races, and both prior efforts came on genuinely testing Heavy ground. The synthetic surface and 1200m should suit far better.
Second up she holds fitness, and the same rider is retained. Against her: a 9yo maiden with seven starts, an 0-for-2 second-up record and the widest relevant gate at a venue that punishes horses caught without cover. Solid each-way value rather than a win chance.
He backs up in a fortnight, second up in the prep, from barrier 5 which maps for a cheap cover position at a track that rewards being within striking range at the 400m.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Cool In Command | 1 | Hayley Hassman | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | 55kg | $2.60 |
| 2nd | 1 | Knight Guru | 2 | Yogesh Atchamah | Sandra Cunningham | 58.5kg | $4.90 |
| 3rd | 8 | Tricory | 6 | Bridget Grylls | Ms T Rae | 54kg | $4.00 |
| 4th | 4 | Forseti | 3 | Ashlee Strawbridge | Ms A Frye | 53.5kg | $9.90 |
| 5th | 2 | Shafted | 5 | Alyssa Parris | D B Frye | 54.5kg | $8.90 |
| 6th | 3 | Chekhov | 4 | Roushan Khan | M P Mccann | 58.5kg | $31.90 |
| 7th | 5 | Lilybet | 7 | Choon K Kwo | Ms G Robinson | 56.5kg | $12.30 |
| 8th | 6 | Silver Needle | 8 | Sima Mxothwa | R P Laidlaw | 53.5kg | $45.20 |
That map change is decisive at a track where being within striking range at the 400m dominates outcomes. Her synthetic record reads 4:1-1-0 including a win at this track and distance, she is the lightest weighted runner at 54.5kg, and as a lightly raced 4yo she is the one runner in the field genuinely still improving.
Today he drops to 57kg with the claim and meets the runner who beat him on considerably better terms. His synthetic form is consistently competitive without a win, four starts here yielding two placings, and he is second up from a spell off a genuine fresh run. Barrier 7 is the concern, forcing an outside run without cover.
Overstate won over this course and distance on 23 July, her only synthetic start, and she draws barrier 2 which maps her into the economical forward slot this track rewards.
Thats Charming is the most surface-proven runner in the field with 30 synthetic starts for 3 wins and 9 placings, and 23 at this exact course and distance. He returns to his best trip of 1200m after an unsuited 1400m assignment carrying 59kg last start, and drops 2.5kg today.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Phazed | 6 | Hayley Hassman | D M Walsh | 55.5kg | $6.40 |
| 2nd | 1 | Jetstream | 3 | Amber Riddell | M & M Pitman | 59.5kg | $14.60 |
| 3rd | 8 | Thats Charming | 5 | Yogesh Atchamah | Andrew Carston | 56.5kg | $16.60 |
| 4th | 3 | Ayumi | 1 | Ashlee Strawbridge | D M Walsh | 54.5kg | $4.20 |
| 5th | 6 | Overstate | 2 | Bridget Grylls | Lisa Young | 57kg | $2.60 |
| 6th | 2 | Eastandwest | 7 | Jack Taplin | M & M Pitman | 57kg | $8.20 |
| 7th | 4 | Driftin | 8 | Jasmine Fawcett | Ms S Faulkner | 57.5kg | $7.70 |
| 8th | 5 | Jack Attack | 4 | Choon K Kwo | R D Holmes | 57.5kg | $27.60 |
His track-and-distance record reads 2 starts for 2 wins and his synthetic record is 6:2-2-0. Barrier 3 in a seven-horse field lets him take the handy position this track rewards at the 400m. The only genuine query is the undeclared rider.
He is the most consistent horse here with a 24% strike rate and the deepest bankroll. The problem is 61kg: he rises 2kg while Mr Fortrus stays at 54kg, reversing more than the margin between them last start. Class and track affinity keep him safe for placings rather than the win.
Barrier 2 and the minimum weight are the two structural advantages that matter most at a track where the 400m position decides races. Against her: a 13% career strike rate across 52 starts and a rider without a win in his last 20. Solid each-way value rather than a win proposition.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Mr Fortrus | 3 | Jasmine Fawcett | J C Blackadder | 54kg | $1.70 |
| 2nd | 3 | La Bella Nera | 1 | Hayley Hassman | J & K Parsons | 53kg | $8.90 |
| 3rd | 6 | Ocean Light | 6 | Abdul Najib | M & M Pitman | 52kg | $18.10 |
| 4th | 1 | Tumuch | 4 | Sima Mxothwa | J & K Parsons | 58kg | $4.30 |
| 5th | 4 | Motiontime | 2 | Jack Taplin | M & M Pitman | 52kg | $8.80 |
| 6th | 2 | Toa Haka | 5 | Ashlee Strawbridge | D M Walsh | 57kg | $10.30 |
| Scr | 7 | Graeme John | 7 | Amber Riddell | D M Walsh | 54kg |
Hey Now is the most proven runner in the race for the exact conditions — 19 synthetic starts for 5 wins and 4 placings, and a track-and-distance record of 12 starts for 4 wins and 3 seconds. His July 1400m failure came under 59kg from a wide gate; today he drops 0.5kg and draws barrier 2. With no genuine leader engaged and a slow tempo forecast, the track's strong handy/leader bias suits a horse who can be within striking range at the 400m. Class-consistent and race-fit.
Captain Roy is the form horse of the race, winning at this exact venue last start and holding a track record of 4 starts for 2 wins and 2 thirds. He also ran third over today's 1400m here in July. The obvious query is the jump from Bench. Still improving though, and the conditions could not suit better.
She carries just 53.5kg with the claim, which is a genuine edge.
War Court is a Riccarton Synthetic specialist whose course-and-distance record of 11 starts for 3 wins, 2 seconds and a third is arguably the best in the race, and he won over this trip at this grade in April.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Graeme John | 10 | Ashlee Strawbridge | D M Walsh | 57kg | $4.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Hey Now | 2 | Terry Moseley | Alan Reeves | 58.5kg | $6.30 |
| 3rd | 1 | Eight Pence | 4 | Kendra Bakker | L M Robinson | 58kg | $11.90 |
| 3rd | 3 | Atullibigeal | 3 | Amber Riddell | J C Blackadder | 59kg | $5.50 |
| 5th | 11 | Miss Emerald | 5 | Hayley Hassman | L M Robinson | 53kg | $23.30 |
| 6th | 9 | On File | 9 | Sima Mxothwa | J & K Parsons | 51.5kg | $21.70 |
| 7th | 7 | My Sharona | 8 | Jack Taplin | Anna Furlong | 53.5kg | $6.50 |
| 8th | 8 | Montero | 6 | Masahiro Hashizume | Kieran Mccauley | 55.5kg | $22.60 |
| 9th | 5 | War Court | 11 | Corey Campbell | Brian Court & Jesse O''flaherty | 58kg | $15.70 |
| 10th | 6 | Captain Roy | 7 | Jasmine Fawcett | Ms L Prendergast | 56kg | $10.80 |
| 11th | 10 | Pax Mundi | 1 | Bridget Grylls | Ms T Rae | 54.5kg | $13.80 |
The most reliable form line in the race. Barrier 4 lets Taplin settle her handy with cover, exactly the profile Riccarton Synthetic rewards, and she is well treated at 54.5kg after the claim. The obvious knock is a lone career win, but she is fitter and better placed than her rivals here.
The proven course and distance performer, with a win and two placings from seven attempts over 1600m at Riccarton Synthetic. Barrier 1 gives her the ground-saving trip this track rewards. The negative is an ordinary ninth here last start and a weight rise on her winning mark, plus a jockey out of touch at the venue.
She holds the tactical speed to take up the running against a field short on genuine leaders, and a moderate tempo suits a controlling ride. The reservations are real: barrier 15 gives her plenty to do early, 58kg is a meaningful rise on her winning weight, and her one synthetic mile attempt was disappointing. Still a leading each-way chance on form and fitness.
Barrier 11 sits in the favoured middle band.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Red Star Bella | 1 | Corey Campbell | L G Didham | 57kg | $11.60 |
| 2nd | 11 | New Beginning | 10 | Jasmine Fawcett | J C Blackadder | 54.5kg | $5.10 |
| 3rd | 5 | Grouse | 8 | Ashlee Strawbridge | L R Beckett | 54.5kg | $14.10 |
| 4th | 1 | Verdian | 12 | Brett Murray | Jamie Bullard | 59kg | $7.50 |
| 5th | 7 | Sarissa | 4 | Jack Taplin | N Wigley & K Milnes | 54.5kg | $4.70 |
| 6th | 4 | Fah Rong | 2 | Hayley Hassman | Ms P Robson | 57kg | $8.30 |
| 7th | 14 | Frosbie | 5 | Abdul Najib | T J Yesberg | 52kg | $34.80 |
| 8th | 12 | Bellutta | 6 | Terry Moseley | M P Mccann | 54kg | $26.90 |
| 9th | 2 | Gota Hunch | 9 | Amber Riddell | Danny Crozier | 58.5kg | $7.70 |
| 10th | 8 | Thee Auld Trick | 11 | Masahiro Hashizume | N R Mitchell | 56.5kg | $13.30 |
| 11th | 9 | Royal Assent | 14 | Bridget Grylls | Lisa Young | 56kg | $52.30 |
| 12th | 10 | Flying Celebration | 7 | Yogesh Atchamah | Ainsley Mcleod | 55kg | $37.40 |
| 13th | 15 | Cutout | 3 | J & K Parsons | 54kg | $55.60 | |
| 14th | 13 | Da Vinci Girl | 13 | Kendra Bakker | M & M Pitman | 52kg | $26.60 |
| Scr | 3 | Elegant Explosive | 15 | Sima Mxothwa | J & K Parsons | 55kg |
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