NZ - Riccarton - Race 8

Thoroughbred

17 Runners

Benchmark

Turf

SOFT 5

22.7K

VIEW

Verdict

COOL AZA RENE (5) tried her heart out when finishing second fresh up on a heavy track here 4 weeks ago. She is just as good on firmer surfaces, and with another trial to bring her fitness along since then, she can go one better. COOL 'N' FAST (2) is a lightly tried 5YO gelding who made good progress last season, and will resume with a couple of quiet tune-up trials under his belt. A wide gate is the only query for us, but he should still be included in all top 4 combos. MI BELLA (7) is a very handy mare who was fourth as the favourite fresh up here 4 weeks ago when needing the run. She normally improves second up, and she is worth following up. LUNA CAPELLA (12) was very disappointing fresh up as the favourite in a weaker field than this, but she is so much better than that, and we won't drop her yet. MISS STARLIGHT (13) ran along much too hard in front here 2 weeks ago and understandably folded up in the run home. She will be at her peak fitness third up, so stick with her.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
5	Second run back. First-up after five months 2nd of 9 at this track on August 29 over 6f, on rain affected going, 3.5 len behind Honor The Name carrying 127lbs at $4.60. Previously second-up 8th of 12 in the LR Canterbury Belle Stakes at this track on September 13 2025 over 6f, slow going 6 len behind Miss Starlight with 125lbs at $7.50. Fitter and is a leading contender. 1st Pick 5 Cool Aza Rene Jockey: Kyle Wilson-Taylor Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	134	-	-	-	17%	5/1
Analysis Second run back. First-up after five months 2nd of 9 at this track on August 29 over 6f, on rain affected going, 3.5 len behind Honor The Name carrying 127lbs at $4.60. Previously second-up 8th of 12 in the LR Canterbury Belle Stakes at this track on September 13 2025 over 6f, slow going 6 len behind Miss Starlight with 125lbs at $7.50. Fitter and is a leading contender.
2	Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last preparation third of 15 at this track May 2 over 6f, soft track, 3 len behind Toronto carrying 128lbs at $7. Previously first up, third of 14 at Ellerslie September 6 2025 over 5 ½f, soft track, 1.2 len behind First Dance with 131lbs at $4.50. Expected to feature. 2nd Pick 2 Cool 'n' Fast Jockey: Triston Moodley Trainer: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson J: Triston Moodley T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	111	-	-	-	15%	6/1
Analysis Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last preparation third of 15 at this track May 2 over 6f, soft track, 3 len behind Toronto carrying 128lbs at $7. Previously first up, third of 14 at Ellerslie September 6 2025 over 5 ½f, soft track, 1.2 len behind First Dance with 131lbs at $4.50. Expected to feature.
7	Second run back. First-up after four months 4th of 9 at this track on August 29 over 6f, in the wet, 5 len behind Honor The Name with 120lbs at $3.90. Previously second-up 2nd of 13 at this track on January 24 over 6f, on heavy track, nose behind Moon Money with 127lbs at $10.10. Rates highly and should improve sharply. 3rd Pick 7 Mi Bella Jockey: Tom Wigram Trainer: Anna Furlong J: Tom Wigram T: Anna Furlong	92	-	-	-	15%	6/1
Analysis Second run back. First-up after four months 4th of 9 at this track on August 29 over 6f, in the wet, 5 len behind Honor The Name with 120lbs at $3.90. Previously second-up 2nd of 13 at this track on January 24 over 6f, on heavy track, nose behind Moon Money with 127lbs at $10.10. Rates highly and should improve sharply.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Rabbit

Also known as a pacemaker; this is a horse with no expected chance of winning but is used to prompt a quick pace on the front end of the race to the benefit of a stablemate who is a closer.

Fractions

The times recorded during the race; with timing starting just past the gate or when the gates open, then parroted for the quarter, half, three-quarters etc. Used as an indication of ability and speed.

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