Ashburton tips and results

Our price $4.20 · Jack Taplin

The form horse of the field on recent evidence. He was beaten under two lengths in the Ashburton Cup over this trip three weeks ago, has won twice in open company at Riccarton and drops in weight for this. The concern is style: he likes to roll forward and front-runners have almost never won here in recent meetings, so he will need to dictate cleverly rather than simply bowl along.

Our price $5.50 · Hayley Hassman

The class horse in the field and the one with the strongest open-grade form on the page — an open handicap win over a mile and a close third over further at Riccarton. The inside gate is a real asset in a race that looks slowly run, allowing him to sit much closer than he usually does. The negatives are weight and momentum: 60kg is a big ask on a soft surface, and his last two runs have been plain. A genuine chance, but the top two look better placed at the weights.

Our price $7.00 · Terry Moseley

The stable also has a good record here and he has won first-up in the past. The counter is a seven-month layoff, a poor record on soft footing and a rider who has hardly won at this track.

Our price $4.80 · Hayley Hassman

The most reliable runner in a weak maiden. It was third over this trip at Ashburton on Soft 7 last start and has run several close seconds. Winning has been the problem, but nothing here has stronger form.

Our price $6.50 · Masahiro Hashizume

Its fourth on a Soft 5 track last start was the best run of its career. It showed early speed and kept finishing. Second up and with a good draw, it should be able to settle handy and could improve again.

Our price $7.50 · Leah Hemi

A debutant from a stable that does very well at Ashburton and has two runners in the race. Barrier 12 should let it find a position without too much work. Jockey is modest, but the stable record and the field make it a fair chance.

Our price $12.00 · Jack Taplin

Taplin's strong record at Ashburton and the 2kg claim help. Barrier 16 is wide, but she can cross if needed.

Our price $3.50 · Triston Moodley

Ataahualuciddream produced a strong debut run when second over 1200m on soft ground, beating Letschat by over three lengths. He settled midfield from a wide barrier that day and hit the line well. Today he draws much better in barrier 5 and should be able to take a closer position. With a top stable and jockey combination, he looks the one to beat.

Our price $6.00 · Brandon May

Letschat has been honest in his four starts and comes off a close second at this track over 1300m. He was taken back from a wide barrier that day and ran on well. He meets a similar scenario today from barrier 12. While his connections are not in strong form, his race fitness and consistency give him a place chance.

Our price $8.00 · Jack Taplin

The Graduate showed promise as a two-year-old with placings in stakes races over 1000m. She resumes after a spell with a strong trainer/jockey combination that has a good strike rate together. While the 1200m is a slight query, her class and fresh-up record suggest she can be competitive in this maiden field.

Our price $7.00 · Donovan Cooper

Imelda Melody drops from Listed and age-group stakes races to a maiden here and that is a massive class relief. She has shown she can run to a high standard, including a strong second over 1000m on soft ground as a two-year-old. If she settles better today, she could easily outclass this field.

Our price $3.80 · Leah Hemi

She drops from Listed company, is second-up and has a hot stable behind her. With a very fast pace expected she can sit midfield and finish well.

Our price $4.60 · Triston Moodley

However she carries top weight, has won only once from 14 starts and has not won on soft ground.

Our price $6.50 · Hayley Hassman

Novelette knows the track and trip and wins at Ashburton on a good surface. Her late finish should suit a very fast tempo, and she is race fit second-up with a handy barrier. Her wet-track record is the concern, but she has run well enough in the soft to be right in the finish.

Our price $8.00 · Tom Wigram

It's Amelia drops from stronger company and gets a big weight advantage, with a claiming rider on board.

Our price $6.50 · Jack Taplin

The step up in trip should suit, and a middle barrier gives options.

Our price $8.00 · Masahiro Hashizume

Revision ran a huge race last start from a wide draw at Ashburton and has already won over this trip at the track. Drawn much better, she only needs a reasonable run of luck.

Our price $6.00 · Leah Hemi

Wet-track form is solid and she is consistent. Her winning strike rate is low, and the trainer's cold form tempers the case, so she makes the top three but not the top spot.

Our price $11.00 · Donovan Cooper

Lovelock is a proven soft-track performer who has been racing well against better company.

Our price $4.80 · Ashlee Strawbridge

Narrowly beaten second last start in a strong Bm75 and now drops from Listed ranks, so she looks the soundest form chance. She has won over 1400m and on soft ground, and can sit handy in a moderately run race.

Our price $6.50 · Sima Mxothwa

A solid Bm75 mare with a good soft-ground record who has been running to a winning standard without getting the results. She has run second here over 1400m and won on Soft 5 at Wingatui.

Our price $5.50 · Masahiro Hashizume

Our price $4.50 · Hayley Hassman

He has a good draw and the stable/jockey combination is strong. The concern is the rise from maiden grade and his handy racing style, with recent Ashburton results favouring closers.

Our price $5.50 · Triston Moodley

Arctic Jewel is a progressive mare with a strong late profile and a close fifth here last start after settling off the pace. She has been racing well in this grade and the step to 1400m could suit a mare who finishes off strongly. The wide draw means she will get back, and she has not run this trip.

Our price $6.50 · Tom Wigram

He drops from stronger company and has been closing well, including a luckless run last time when held up. He has wet-track form, a light weight with the claim and a good draw.