Jockeys’ best
Course curator Mick Goodie applied water to Flemington yesterday, but the temperature is expected to peak today at 27C and the moisture will be quickly dried out by the time this race is run at 4.55pm local time. Both on Melbourne Cup day Tuesday and Oaks day Thursday, riders were saying the track was hard for the late races.
“He can run on anything,” says Autridge. “Last Christmas he was running on tracks in the Central Districts that don’t get water. At no stage has he ever jarred up.” Even in Australia bookmakers are taking no chances with Gingernuts, who they have as the (No3) and In Her Time (No12) have real talent. In Her Time, with Cupwinning jockey Corey Brown aboard, is a must for multiples. She is so honest.
Embellish (No7, R7) should be close to winning the $500,000 Al Basti Equiworld 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.
The fact stable rider Opie Bosson chose to ride him instead of Gingernuts in Melbourne should be the tip you need. Yes, he’s favourite and although he is probably still finalising his ringcraft, what beats him will win. Not impossible for stablemate Te Akau Shark (No5) to fill the runner up’s spot. He has done everything right in easier races and is an absolute serious racehorse in the making. Ever Loyal (No4) beat an easier field here on the first day and can step up. Jason Waddell will help him overcome an awkward barrier.
At Te Rapa today Karisto (No11, R5) is capable of making the difficult transition from maidens to winning a R65 at next appearance. There has been a bit to like about each of the runs to date.
Justacanta (No9, R8) has been flashing home in its races and although it will have a big field to get around here is in with a real chance. A selection of New Zealand’s leading jockeys offer their best rides for the weekend and, where applicable, last week’s result.
Embellish – Riccarton (race seven) (Vinevale – scratched)
Matt Cameron:
Aspen Lass – Riccarton (race nine) (Shadows Cast – 1st)
Sam Collett:
Bullrush – Te Rapa (race six) (The Great Southern – 2nd) Heroic Valour – Te Rapa (race six) (Savapak – 2nd) Sensei – Riccarton (race seven) Karisto – Te Rapa (race five) (Seraphim – 1st) Infinite Joy – Avondale (race seven) (Peso – 1st) Te Akau Shark – Riccarton (race seven) (Don Blanco – unplaced)
Scott Base – Riccarton (race seven) (Makarios – 1st)
Johnathan Parkes:
Ferrando – Te Rapa (race six) (Abbey Road – 2nd)
Keilib – Hastings (race three) (Blathwayt – unplaced)
Masa Tanaka:
(race four) Rio Star – Hastings Chouxperb – Hastings (race eight) Lovers Lane – Avondale (race four)