Saturday Racing Tips - Riccarton Park 08/08/26

The best racing in New Zealand this Saturday comes from Riccarton Park where the final day of the 2026 Grand National meeting comes to a close.

Ahead of the first race we have run our eye through the card and picked out some of our best horse racing tips. As well as our exclusive tips we have highlighted three races which look to be the most competitive of the day. Whether you want to back a short priced favourite, or a horse at longer odds, read on as we have every angle covered.

(Note: Odds provided by 20Bet)

Selections:

Affordable – 3.50

Quid – 3.50

Little Thief – 17.00

BEST BET – Affordable

Eight take to the track looking to land the Grand National Hurdle and it’s Affordable who will hope to bag the spoils. Having won seven days ago and finishing ahead of Quid, hopes will be high that a step up to this trip could unlock even more.

THE DANGER – Quid

Quid will be aiming to exact some revenge on Affordable following his defeat last time out. Unlike his rivals, he has had a go at this trip previously as he finished second in this last year. There is plenty to like.

VALUE BET – Little Thief

Although a massive outsider, the chances of Little Thief can’t be dismissed. A winner here just three days ago, this is much tougher but he did it nicely last time and their could be more to come. A three day turnaround is a concern but he can’t be dismissed.

Selections:

Lord Spencer – 2.05

Captains Run – 7.50

Nedwin – 8.00

BEST BET – Lord Spencer

A field of nine have been declared for the 151st Grand National and its Lord Spencer who heads the market. A winner of his last three races, this is a bit of a step into the unknown trip wise but it can’t be argued that he is the form horse of the race and sets the standard.

THE DANGER – Captains Run

Captains Run was the winner of this race last year where similar conditions were present. Since that win, things haven’t quite gone to plan but this has always been the plan. He knows the distance and has proved to have the stamina in the past, there is plenty to like.

VALUE BET – Nedwin

At a price, Nedwin could play a part here. Third in this race last year he is another who knows the distance. He was a winner three starts ago but he has been overturned by both Lord Spencer and Brucie in his last two starts. He will need to produce something special here but is capable.

Selections:

Guzzler – 3.40

Magnastar – 16.00

Moon Money – 20.00

BEST BET – Guzzler

Often the value can be found in competitive handicaps but in the final race of the day, the Guzzler could be hard to stop. A winner of his last two, his last win came here and it was done in good fashion. Despite having raced nine times there could be more to come and a big run could be expected.

THE DANGER – Magnastar

Magnastar is at the other end of the experience spectrum having made 60 starts. Despite being a winner only four times, one of those wins came last time out at Oamaru and it’s hard not to have been impressed by the manner in which he finished. This is tougher but he’s in good form and is priced attractively.

VALUE BET – Moon Money

Moon Money is our long shot of the day and she certainly is in with a chance. A winner three starts ago, she then backed that up with a good second on the synthetic track here. She is in decent form and is a former winner, there isn’t anything to suggest that she can’t run a big race.

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Join us every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday for our exclusive racing tips.

Each week we will provide the very best free horse racing tips that have been compiled by our experts.

Making sure that you don’t miss any of New Zealand’s biggest races, we will let you know what horses to watch out for and what horses could be capable of winning at a big price.

Providing information about the track and who are the notable jockeys to follow, our experts will provide you with all the information you need to know.

We will also cover any bonus bet or other promotions that are running that day and even have recommendations for other bets like multi tips, and our daily quaddie.

For a more in-depth explanation of horse racing bet types and tips for placing, visit our tips and information page.

Hamish McNeill has just three rides on the card but will be hoping for Grand National success with Captains Run. He will be hopeful of a positive day.

Hamish McNeill rides:

R1 – 6 – Overdraft – 6.00

R2 – 3 – Taika – 13.00

R6 – 1 – Captains Run – 7.00

Why not back our Hamish McNeil treble?

Treble:

R1 - 6 – Overdraft - WIN $6.00
R2 - 3 - Taika - WIN $13.00
R6 - 1 - Captains Run - WIN $7.00

Total Odds = $545
$10 Stake = $5,460 Return!

Odds provided by Sportaza

Our experts have curated a bet type information page which delves into all the different types of exotics betting, check it out for clarification on the different types of exotics betting or just to brush up on your knowledge.

Racecourse Trifecta Tip
For example:
1st: 1, 4, 9, 15
2nd: 1, 4, 9, 15
3rd: 1, 4, 9, 15

$50 stake = 208% flexi

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